Vehicle Location Tracking

Highlights

Incursion by ground vehicles into safety critical areas is a significant contributor to the number of reported incidents and is a continued risk to aviation safety, especially in low visibility conditions. ERA’s squitter beacon (Squid) helps airports address this issue by providing an easily installed and standards compliant vehicle-mounted ADS-B transponder. Squid by ERA broadcasts the position of each vehicle using exactly the same technology used by aircraft. Squid by ERA can be permanently or magnetically mounted to tugs, fire appliances, de-icing equipment and all airside vehicles. This ensures that the complete picture is available to the control tower, with each vehicle clearly and uniquely identified, providing an essential addition to any Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS).    

Squid by ERA is based on 1090 MHz Mode S spontaneous squitter with a unique Mode S transmission. The Mode S address has a default value, which either the user or ERA can adjust. Each unit consists of an electronics unit, an antenna assembly and a cover made out of a composite material. The cable that feeds the unit and ensures data transmission is designed with a water resistant connector, operating reliably in all weather conditions. Rigorous standards adherence means that Squid by ERA devices will work seamlessly with existing ADS-B and multilateration surveillance solutions from other vendors.  

To support various ATM surveillance tasks, Squid by ERA can be installed on:
  • Airport Vehicles
  • Temporary Surface Obstacles
  • General Aviation Aircraft
  • Remote sites as a coverage tester and calibration tool

Benefits

  • Full A-SMGCS exploitation 
  • Safety enhancements under all weather conditions
  • Improved situational awareness
  • Reduced incursion risk

Features

  • Cost-effective complement to existing multilateration and ADS-B systems
  • Mode S address adjustment according to local conditions
  • Low electromagnetic emissions
  • Small dimensions and weight
  • Low power consumption
  • Status LED and GPS data output
  • Fully automated unattended operation

Areas of Application

  • Surface Surveillance
  • A-SMGCS
  • Vehicle Tracking
  • ADS-B

Design

Squid by ERA is small, lightweight and easy to install in any vehicle. The standard package includes:*

  • Beacon case comprising of Squid by ERA electronics and both antennas (transmitting and GPS)
  • Magnetic or fixed holder
  • Power cable
  • SW management tool package
  • User Guide

*    Final delivery specifications and mechanical design of Squid by ERA can be modified according to the customer requirements. 

Applied Standards

  • ICAO ANNEX 10 Volume IV
  • E1 Certification

Performance Parameters

  • Carrier frequency: 1090 MHz
  • Output power: 20W (pulse)
  • Output message format: Mode S reply DF 18 (ES/NT) according to Annex 10, Vol.4
  • Interface: Resistant connector on the body of device (one connector both for the power line and bi-directional RS232 link)GPS data available separately on the Squid output, provided GPS data are available from satellites. Protocol NMEA 0183 v2.3; WAAS, EGNOS supported.
  • DC voltage: +9V to +32V
  • Power consumption: ~ 2W
  • Operating temperature: -40°C to +70°C
  • Dimensions: diameter 206 mm (8.1 in), height 158 mm (5 in)
  • Serviceability: Possibility to connect any computer (via standard interface) with software allowing to change the mode S DF 18 contents or to upgrade the SQUID firmware.

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