A SMOOTH TRANSITION FROM ACTIVE TO PASSIVE AIR TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE

摘要

The key objectives of this paper are to identify the reasons why a smooth transition between the existing air traffic surveillance scenario and any future system or technology is necessary, and to suggest ways of achieving this transition. The paper seeks to explain the background of the existing active surveillance techniques, and identify some of their limitations, before discussing the proposed alternatives and their candidate technologies. The major benefits of any such transition to passive surveillance are investigated to help identify the most cost effective implementation to achieve them.rnThe main conclusion of the paper is that if any future air traffic surveillance system is to be introduced successfully then it must build upon the existing infrastructure and equipment already in use for the purposes of surveillance. To achieve this, the paper concludes that an implementation of Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast over the 1090 MHz frequency is the best way forward. The major driver for this conclusion is the uncertainty in the applications and true benefits of the implementation of such a system and when, if ever, it will replace the existing surveillance techniques.