There is general agreement that Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) will play a significant role at the core of future civil aviation surveillance infrastructure.

ADS-B relies on an aircraft's GPS to provide current flight information such as altitude, airspeed, position, aircraft type, identification and direction. The system transmits this information through a dedicated radio datalink to all receivers capable of decoding ADS-B signals. 

ADS-B faces a number of implementation challenges which are addressed with Extended ADS (ADS-X).

All ERA sensors are equipped to decode ADS-B signals according to all applicable standards, including RTCA MOPS DO260 and DO260A and B, and support alternative ADS-B transmission infrastructure such as 1090ES, UAT and VDL4.

Sensors come standard in full environmental enclosures suitable for remote deployment and low-bandwidth connection to the central server for data fusion and/or tracking as required.

ERA can provide complete ATM display and automation solutions based on the surveillance data or can output information in a variety of standard formats including Asterix Category 21 (ADS-B) and Asterix Category 48 (monoradar).

As an option, ERA can provide ADS-B receiver/decoders in portable configurations and equipped with data logging facilities so that data can be downloaded to PC applications for analysis. This is of particular value for organizations undertaking ADS-B trials or site location studies.

“ERA Corporation’s ADS-B technology serves as the perfect link to the future by providing seamless integration of ADS-B and MLAT to deliver immediate benefits, while simultaneously establishing the infrastructure that will support ADS-B tracking, once full aircraft equipage is achieved.”

- Frost & Sullivan, 2007 ADS-B Research