An auxiliary communication loop for air transport surveillance using GSM/GPRS

This paper presents the design and implementation of an automatic dependent surveillance (ADS) using mobile communication. Mobile communications of GSM and GPRS are considered. The GSM/GPRS in time division multi-access (TDMA) is adopted as data communication infrastructure to transmit surveillance and control data. A communication protocol is established to enhance surveillance data link at low altitude. An avionics system is designed, implemented and tested using available components. In surveillance, the geodetic information system (GIS) is elected to map positioning data onto a visual friendly display. Under complete system architecture design and verification, the proposed GSM/GPRS-ADS is capable of carrying reliable and efficient data link communication at lower altitude. This paper demonstrates the idea, design, test, implementation of this auxiliary communication loop, and assesses its capability and application.