Aviation GNSS Interference Analysis Based on ADS-B Out Data

Abstract

This paper presents the results from an analysis of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out data over the Continental United States (CONUS) based on the effect GNSS interference can incur on airborne GNSS receivers used for ADS-B Out equipment. An increasing number of airborne GNSS interference events have been well documented on an individual basis in recent years; however, the aim of this paper will focus on the broader scale. Now that it is well past the initial Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ADS-B Out mandate [1] start date of January 1, 2020, there are enough ADS-B Out equipped aircraft operating in the CONUS to identify trends such as geographical location, altitude, time/date, aircraft fleet, etc., when interference is encountered. In this paper, methods to identify GNSS interference based on ADS-B Out data are discussed and validated against confirmed interference from fielded Collins airborne receivers. Additionally, tools are developed in order to process the large amount of ADSB Out data that is currently available, and display interference events in a useful manner to identify trends. ADS-B Out performance reports can be obtained on a per flight basis through the FAA (https://adsbperformance.faa.gov/PAPRRequest.aspx), but there is no broad analysis of aircraft ADS-B performance. This paper mines a large amount of available ADS-B Out data, makes inferences regarding GNSS interference impacting aviation GNSS receivers, and presents the findings.