Automatic dependent surveillance focus of civil avionics integration

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has developed a concept for an integrated, global air navigation system focused on satellite technology for the 21st Century. Automatic dependent surveillance (ADS) is a key element of this system and the center of integration. ADS extracts aircraft position and intent information from the onboard navigation system and transmits these vital data by means of automatic data link systems to ground facilities. Further, the ADS functionality is being integrated into multifunction software. In future aircraft, such as the Boeing B-777, the software will use robust partitioning techniques supported by a multifunction host computer. In other applications, ADS is being incorporated as another function within existing flight management computers. Civil aviation administrations and aircraft operators see ADS as the vehicle for early and significant improvements in safety and efficiency in air traffic management