OFFSHORE FLIGHT TRACKING Offshore
NEW ‘RADAR’ TECHNOLOGY ADS-B has been a standard in aviation for more than 15 years, but only recently a breakthrough in its usage has been reached by mandates of equipage: e.g. Norway will require offshore helicopter traffic in some North Sea areas to use ADS-B. Similar to the vessel information system (AIS) flights equipped with an ADS-B capable transponder ‘squitter’ their position, but also up to 60 other flight data to ground stations.
Flight Tracking
ADS-B (Automatic Dependant Surveillance-B), a relatively new ‘radar’ technology, has become not only a professional tool for Air Traffic Control, but also popular by public flight tracking network apps, that can display air traffic on everybody's smartphone. Making flight positions, altitudes and many other data visible on a private GIS is an interesting application for offshore operators too.
This happens every 500ms with packets of 112 µs length at a frequency of 1.09 GHz. Range of ADS-B signals is strictly ‘line-of- sight’. Therefore a receiving ground station has a limited range for low flying traffic only. Typical ranges are 35 NM for 1,000ft, 70 NM for 5,000ft flying altitude.
OFFSHORE CHALLENGES
To enable tracking of low-flying helicopters in remote offshore areas ADS-B receivers can be placed on wind energy platforms as long as electrical power and network connections are provided. Antennas should
As a solution for offshore challenges the company has developed its PlaneTRack series of ADS-B receivers and accessories. Housed in a 19" 2U aluminium rack insert a receiver/processor decodes ADS-B data and transmits them to a central control room, where they can be overlaid to a GIS.
FORMATS AND OPTIONS A variety of data formats are available, including fully decoded JSON flight data which are easy to process. Options for unmanned operations and dual mains power supply are available. MIL-STD 525 salt spray certified antennas and mounts are offered together with low loss coax cables and lightning protection devices. Extended warranty options including a component exchange service round up the Planevision Systems offshore product portfolio.
Planevision Systems
be mounted high and away from metal structures to avoid reflections. Outdoor materials must be selected diligently to withstand the saline environment, which is not a standard requirement for aviation material.
TAILORED ADS-B SOLUTIONS Planevision Systems is a major manufacturer of economical ‘information- only’ ADS-B receiving solutions. More than 3,000 devices are delivered annually to flight tracking providers and other customers.
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
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