Mobile flight surveillance for small aircraft

The general packet radio service (GPRS) system is constructed for wide coverage in Taiwan. Based on such a good mobile communication environment, small aircraft flight surveillance can be viable. A low altitude surveillance system for small aircraft using mobile communication is presented. The client hardware is developed by using the embedded system for aircraft to report airborne data to a ground surveillance center. The overall system can detect aircraft global positioning system (GPS) data and other flight information, transmit through GPRS mobile network, and display on a geographic information system (GIS)-based surveillance monitor. System design concept and implementation efforts are presented with very good test results. The data transmission delay is estimated within 0.6 second, while the data period is tested for 5 second. This system has been tested up to 1000 feet above ground in Taiwan. The proposed mobile flight surveillance system is an excellent solution for small aircraft, especially the ultra-lights, in Taiwan.