Analysis of Radar System Performance and Interference in an Air Traffic Control Environment

In the Air Traffic Control (ATC) environment Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR), Aircraft Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B), Airborne Collision Avoidance Systems (ACAS) and military identification systems (IFF) are using the same frequencies. Technical or operational changes in one system have impact on self-interference within the same system as well as on the operation of the other systems. This paper gives an overview on a simulation program, developed to model those systems and their mutual interference in complex environments. Describing as an example the analysis being performed during the implementation of ACAS in European airspace, this paper details the interrelation between the systems involved, and how they influence operations and vice versa