Avionics-based GNSS integrity augmentation synergies with SBAS and GBAS for safety-critical aviation applications

This paper explores the synergies between a novel Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Avionics-Based Integrity Augmentation (ABIA) system and current Space and Ground Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS and GBAS). The ABIA Integrity Flag Generator (IFG) is designed to provide caution and warning integrity flags (in accordance with the specified time-to-caution and time-to-warning requirements) in all relevant flight phases. The ABIA IFG performances are assessed and compared with the SBAS and GBAS integrity flag generation capability. Simulation case studies are presented using the TORNADO-IDS platform and they provide insights on possible mutual benefits attainable by integrating ABIA with SBAS and GBAS systems. The results show that the proposed integrated scheme is capable of performing high-integrity tasks when GNSS is used as the primary source of navigation data. Furthermore, it is evident that there is a clear synergy of ABIA with SBAS and GBAS in providing suitable (predictive and reactive) integrity flags in all flight phases. The integration is thus a clear opportunity for future research towards the development of a Space-Ground-Avionics Augmentation Network (SGAAN) for a number of safety-critical aviation applications.