Real-Time Wind Estimation and Tracking with Transponder Downlinked Airspeed and Heading Data

The use of magnetic heading and true air speed measurements made on board civil airplanes to assist in radar tracking is described. The data are telemetered via the air-ground data link of the mode S radar system. A new filter, similar to the first-order Kalman filter, is developed using velocity measurements to bias its prediction equations. This filter follows satisfactorily maneuvers, and estimates, in real time, the wind in the vicinity of the airplane. Finally a scheme is described to remove false data due to data-link corruption.