Top 10 FAQ's on ADS-B

Get your doubts cleared & questions answered with these FAQ's on ADS-B and Flight Tracking.

 

Radarbox24's Comstation and Micro Radarbox Receivers are pictured above. 

 

1. What is ADS-B?

Automatic dependent surveillance–broadcast (ADS-B) is a system in which electronic equipment onboard an aircraft automatically broadcasts the precise location of the aircraft using a transponder on the aircraft. The data can be used by other aircraft and air traffic control to show the aircraft’s position and altitude on display screens without the need for radar.

 

2. How does RadarBox aggregate ADS-B data?

Radarbox aggregates data from over 7 sources - ADS-B, MLAT, ADSI, HDFL, CPDLC, OCEA and ESTI. Once data is received from these 7 sources, it is processed and decoded round the clock by Radarbox servers. Finally it is displayed on the Radarbox website and app.

 

3. What is the coverage area of an ADS-B receiver?

ADS-B is based on the line of sight principle, so coverage area primarily depends on the antenna – how it is placed, where it is placed, and obstructions like buildings, mountains etc. around the antenna. The average range of a typical Radarbox feeder’s antenna is 100-200 km.

 

4. What types of aircraft are tracked?

All aircraft equipped with an ADS-B Out Transponder are tracked. Military and selectively blocked aircraft are also tracked but not displayed to the public.

 

5. How are flight tracked over oceans and seas?

Tracking flights over the ocean is a challenging task as receivers cannot be placed in the ocean. Fortunately, Radarbox has a network of feeders living in coastal regions and on islands such as the Azores, Iceland, Fiji etc. This helps us track flights at least 100-200 nm off a coast. Our new satellite tracking solution, scheduled to be released in 2018, will solve this problem.

 

6. Does Radarbox have 100% ADS-B coverage over land?

Radarbox24 has coverage only in areas where a feeder volunteer has installed one of our ADS-B receivers or shares data with their raspberry pi. However, with new feeders added every day, our network is growing fast. To become a feeder, visit - www.radarbox.com/addcoverage

 

7. How accurate is the flight and airport data?

Arrival and departure information, weather conditions and other flight data is received from third-party sources. These companies are trusted by the industry and usually provide us with accurate information. 

 

8. Why do I see route or flight information missing sometimes?

Flight data received from an aircraft is sometimes delayed or distorted. This may occur due to an issue with position calibration or other technical / operational problems.

 

9. What is the FAA 2020 Mandate? How is it related to ADS-B?

The FAA 2020 mandate requires the installation of ADS-B equipment by the year 2020 in all aircraft flying in Class A, B & C airspace.

 

10. Is it legal for companies like Radarbox to track flights?

There is no legislation in the world that prohibits the tracking of commercial flights using ADS-B technology. Radarbox fully adheres to and is not in violation of any tracking rules laid down by the EU and FAA.