Introduction to ADS-B Technology

The full name of ADS-B is Automatic Dependent Survey – Broadcast. The aircraft equipped with this system can automatically broadcast the geographic location, altitude, speed, heading, identification number, and other information of the aircraft to other aircraft or ground stations within a certain range without manual intervention, for controllers to monitor the aircraft status.

ADS-B system diagram

   Visually speaking, it's like installing a giant horn on an airplane and constantly shouting around, 'I'm Jack!'! Longitude XX! Latitude XX! Height XX! Get out of my way. Other aircraft or ground stations can hear this information within a receiving range (usually 300 nautical miles, approximately 555.6 kilometers). For other aircraft, knowing the flight status of the other party and oneself can determine whether they will collide and take avoidance measures.

The installation cost of ADS-B is relatively low, and the equipment volume is as light as nothing for passenger planes. Once installed on the aircraft, it can start working immediately without the need for manual operation. Therefore, at present, almost all domestic civil aviation aircraft are equipped with ADS-B equipment, which is a widely used and highly reliable technology in general.