ADS-B/WAM radio: A step beyond the state of the art

Large ADS-B surveillance area and WAM are distributed systems composed by sensors that are spread out on the targeted surveillance area. These sensors create a large network of unmanned devices installed almost everywhere: control towers, buildings, utility poles, etc. The sensors setup, maintenance and obsolescence are serious cost project pitfalls; therefore maintenance, cost reduction of obsolescence are key factors that shall be advocated. In this paper an innovative ADS- B/WAM sensor architecture is presented; addressing the aspects of sensor cost, power consumption, reliability and obsolescence.