Third generation airport surface detection equipment design

The Federal Aviation Administration under the National Airspace System Plan is modernizing its airport radar for surface surveillance. Part of this modernization program includes the installation of the third generation of Airport Surface Detection Equipment known as ASDE-3. This major advancement over existing equipment uses modern radar technology to provide ground controllers with a crisp, clutter free display of surface targets, even under conditions of severely limited airport visibility. Modern digital technology provides advanced viewing capabilities. These include airport map overlays and operator selectable window insets on each display. The windows can be rotated and magnified. These features allow critical areas to be viewed clearly, providing valuable assistance to ground traffic controllers. The high quality of the processed radar returns is being used to extend the function of ASDE-3 to further aid the ground controllers and enhance airport safety. Information from sensors monitoring approaching aircraft has been combined with ASDE-3 to provide automatic runway incursion warnings. This paper describes the design and implementation of ASDE-3. Methods are proposed to expand ASDE-3 to support the next generation of automatic traffic monitoring systems