Software changes to get all Mode S (EHS) parameters! Is it possible?

[Aeroscan]

Hi all,

According to the RB Manual RB is able to receive data from aircrafts equipped with Mode S (EHS). So it means that it is able to get following additional Mode S (EHS) Downlink Aircraft Parameters.

[AirNav Support]

We would need make a new firmware for those extra paramaters to be gained. While this is possible it cannot be done urgently at the moment.

Contact our sales/support team and we will and try and see whether we can reach an agreement.

[DaveReid]

According to the RB Manual RB is able to receive data from aircrafts equipped with Mode S (EHS).
So it means that it is able to get following additional Mode S (EHS) Downlink Aircraft Parameters:
1. Magnetic Heading (it seems that YES according to the RadarBox Manual);
2. Indicated Airspeed (it seems NOT);
3. Vertical Speed (it seems that YES according to the RadarBox Manual);
4. Roll Angel (it seems NOT);
5. Track Angle Rate (it seems NOT);
6. Ground Speed (it seems that YES according to the RadarBox Manual);
7. Selected Altitude (it seems NOT);

Is it possible to make some changes in the RadarBox software so we could see missed parameters from the list or NOT?
Please, it is urgently needed for our purposes!!!

Hi Vladimir

There are third-party interfaces for both the popular Mode S receivers (RadarBox and SBS-1) which allow the Comm-B packets containing ELS/EHS parameters to be extracted.

Please note, however, that decoding EHS parameters is not easy.  The ELS DAPs identify at the start of each packet which parameters (i.e. which BDS register) is being transmitted, but the EHS DAPs don't.  Clearly the ground station making the UF20/UF21 request knows whether it is asking for the Vertical Intention (BDS 4,0), Track and Turn (BDS 5,0) or Heading and Speed (BDS 6,0) report, but since we don't have access to the uplink (only the downlink) you need to try to deduce which report you are receiving.

I don't have any experience of extracting DAPs from RadarBox, only from SBS, and it's not appropriate to discuss that on here, but note that, out of the box, neither receiver will extract any of the DAPs in your list - the reference in the RB manual to "magnetic heading" actually means track, and this, ground speed and vertical rate all come from the ADS-B squitters (for suitably-equipped aircraft) and not from the DAPs.

PM me again with your contact details if you would like to talk in more detail.

Dave

[Aeroscan]

Thank you!
Please, reply to me on following adress:
[email protected]
Wait for your reply on my e-mail!

[AirNav Support]

Just for clarification we never state on our site that we can get that information.

The only items on our site we state we can get is:

Flight ID, registration, altitude, speed, heading and vertical speed, positions and squawk.

If your order hasn't been proccessed get in contact with us asp through the support ticket system.

[AirNav Support]

We will contact you directly. Best to keep these details off the forum and public eye :)

[Aeroscan]

Roger that.

[Aeroscan]

What should we do with our current ordered RadarBox that is going to be shipped to us?
We don't want to cancel it.
So I see the way we get it and use it while you will help us with this issue and if it'd needed we are ready to return it back to you for such modification.
Is it would be right way? Please advise!
Thank you.

[AirNav Support]

The modifcation would be a firmware uprade so no need to send it back, so we won't stop your order.

[Aeroscan]

Please, I urgently need to know following information.

If an aircraft is not equipped with ADS-B transceiver but equipped with Mode S (ELS) transponder could we see its Mode S Code (HEX), Altitude, Flight ID, Squawk and Flight Status using the RadarBox?

Please, it’s very important.
I urgently need to know this info now.

Thank you.

[Keith L]

Yes, although the Flight ID field is sometimes not populated on my screen.

[tarbat]

Yes to Mode S Code (HEX), Altitude, and Squawk.

The lack of Flight IDs on some non-ADS/B aircraft is a known bug, that we all hope is going to be fixed in v2.10.  Details in this thread:
http://www.airnavsystems.com/forum/index.php?topic=1372

[DaveReid]

Yes, although the Flight ID field is sometimes not populated on my screen.

That's because if FlightID is sent as an ELS DAP, RadarBox ignores it, in fact I don't think it decodes or displays any ELS DAPs (and certainly not any EHS ones, for the reasons described above).

You will only see FlightID if it's sent in the Extended Squitter, assuming the aircraft is equipped with ES.

At least that's my understanding, I stand to be corrected if I'm wrong.

[Keith L]

Thanks for the clarification Dave