ADS provides a comprehensive range of engineering and consulting services - principally in aviation - however the skill set of the group supports development in other technical domains also.  Our company profile explains the background and capability of the staff at ADS.  All work performed by ADS is under-pinned by this broad depth of knowledge and experience.  One example is the development of the IFTS (Integrated Field Test Set) from the SDM-17A and PATS.  The IFTS is SITA’s tool for testing and monitoring its network of more than 750 VHF ACARS remote ground stations (RGS) worldwide and was developed by ADS as an extension to its PATS concept.  The IDTS is SITA’s tool for testing and monitoring its network of  VDL Mode 2 remote ground stations and was developed by ADS as an extension to its MVDL concept. 

The current emphasis of our ‘in-house’ development programs is related to the MPRT - Multi Protocol Ramp Test Set.  Our development path in air-ground data link has moved through ACARS, AVPAC Mode 1 (MSK) and  VDL Mode 2 (D8PSK) to VDL Mode 3, GNSS-LAAS and GBAS technologies.

SYSTEMS DEVELOPED to meet SPECIFIC CUSTOMER needs include:

ACARS / AVPAC / VDL Mode 1

ADS developed the AV2400 for Rockwell Collins UK Ltd.   The application was the VDL Mode 1 implementation trials involving Rockwell Collins, ARINC and SITA around 1995-1996.  The aim of these trials was to verify the suitability of the VDL air to ground protocols for future ATN network compatibility.

The AV2400 operates in either VDL Mode 1 or standard ACARS format.

VDL Mode 2

ADS's Mini-VDR™  (VHF Data Radio) was developed to comply with the signal-in-space requirements of the ICAO VDL SARPS and ARINC Characteristic 750.  The Mini-VDR combines with the PVDL software package to provide a full VDL Mode 2 test and development capability.  The Mini-VDR is also integrated into a fully portable test set called MVDL for full testing and simulation of Mode 2 ground stations and  Mode 2 equipped aircraft.  

GBAS / LAAS Data Link

One method of improving the accuracy of GPS navigation data is to transmit regional adjustment information to any aircraft using GPS for navigation.   AirServices Australia (AA), the Australian Federal Government aviation agency, has been active for many years in the development of GBAS facilities to broaden the application of GPS augmented navigation systems.

ADS developed and implemented a system for AA that combines cellular telephone technology, and air-to-ground VHF data link to provide Ground-based Regional Augmentation System (GRAS)  data to development aircraft. This GRAS system is similar to the satellite based Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS).

The Data Link Repeater Unit (DLRU) provided a GSM telephone to dial a remote WAAS data source site.  The telephone data was received by the DLRU, converted to a data format similar to ACARS  and then broadcast via VHF data link to target aircraft.

ADS also developed the on board avionics data modem to decode the uplinked WAAS/GBAS data.

We are actively engaged in the development of GBAS systems and standards (through participation in RTCA working groups).

Engineering R&D Services

ADS provides specialist services in the areas of electronics and software design, digital signal processing and general R&D services in aviation related applications and in the technologies associated with metal detection systems for gold, landmine and security detectors.  Refer DTekta Pty Ltd for more details.

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