Technical Verification and Validation of ADS-B/VDL Mode 4 for A-SMGCS

Abstract: This report is a technical verification and validation of ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast) over VDL Mode 4 (Very High Frequency Data Link Mode 4) for the use in the surveillance element of an A-SMGCS (Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System). The main objective of this report is to examine if ADS-B/VDL Mode 4 fulfils the technical requirements for an implementation at Arlanda airport, Stockholm Sweden. The report also includes a FMECA (Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis), a theoretical background and methods for monitoring. The process of making this report can be divided into three phases: 1. Preliminary Study. In this phase the requirements were examined and structured. 2. Verification. In this phase the system performance has been verified both theoretically and by several tests at Arlanda Airport. Simulation results have also been used. 3. Validation and documentation. The tests and verifications that were performed in phase 2 were validated in the third phase of the project. The final project document was also written in this phase. The main conclusion from this analysis is that ADS-B/VDL Mode 4 is well suited for surveillance. ADS-B/VDL Mode 4 has the possibility to fulfil all considered requirements, apart from detecting all obstacles. But if all the requirements are going to be fulfilled depends both on the implementation and the operational environment. The results from this verification and validation should be used as the technical subset in a future safety case, both in Sweden and internationally.