GPS Aircraft Tracking
                     GPS AIRCRAFT 
TRACKING
INTRODUCTION
GPS aircraft tracking is a means of tracking 
the position of an aircraft fitted with a 
satellite navigation device. By 
communication with navigation satellites, 
detailed real-time data on flight variables 
can be passed to a server on the ground.
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STORES THE 
FLIGHT DATA
This server stores the flight data, which 
can then be transmitted via 
telecommunications networks to 
organizations wishing to interpret it.
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NETWORKS
The different kinds of telecommunication 
networks used are:
1. ACARS - a hybrid of the VHF, satellite 
and HF network
2. The transponder "Mode S" (ADS-B) 
network
3. Satellite networks (Globalstar, Inmarsat, 
IRIDIUM, Thuraya)
4. The GSM network
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EQUIPMENT
Some devices are avionics components 
like ACARS and ADS-B. In these cases the 
receiving and transmitting antenna are 
usually located outside of the airframe.
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GPS AND 
COMMUNICATIO
N SATELLITES
When devices are not installed as avionics 
components they have to be completely 
independent from the aircraft. 
They are typically placed inside of the 
airframe in a location where the GPS and 
communication satellites are directly 
visible to the device, for example through 
the cockpit window. 
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OUTPUT SIGNAL
The output signal must also be able to 
penetrate the aircraft - most civil aviation 
authorities require compliance with DO-
160 for audio frequency conducted 
susceptibility and induced signal 
susceptibility.
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APPLICATIONS
Accurate real-time data provided by GPS 
aircraft tracking may be offered to air 
traffic control using ADS-B technology. 
This can safely reduce airspace separation 
of aircraft. GPS aircraft tracking also 
enables airlines to track their fleet of 
aircraft over the ACARS system, and allows 
aircraft to be more easily located in the 
event of an accident. 
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APPLICATIONS 
CONT.
The data is processed to gather "OOOI" 
information about movements within the 
airport and to compute flight time. Finally, 
GPS aircraft tracking permits a flight school 
to track a trainee pilot and debrief his/her 
flight path afterwards.
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ACTIVE 
AIRCRAFT 
TRACKING
There are several active aircraft tracking 
systems available on the market that use 
the "bread-crumb approach" to SAR. 
Rather than relying on an emergency 
locator transmitter to transmit upon 
impact, the next generation of emergency 
locating devices are active tracking 
devices that send position reports at 
regular time intervals.
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ACTIVE AIRCRAFT 
TRACKING CONT.
If the unit stops transmitting upon impact, 
the historical transmissions will give the 
last known location of the aircraft, its 
speed, direction and altitude. Tracking as 
an alternative or complement to current 
technology has recently been encouraged 
by the Coroner in New Zealand.
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