Surveillance and Broadcast Services, Western Service Area (WSA)
What Is Multilateration?
Multilateration is a surveillance technology that works by employing multiple small remote sensors throughout an area to compensate for terrain obstructions, and is another tool the SBS program uses to enhance air traffic surveillance. The data from multilateration sensors is fused to determine aircraft position and identification. This data is then transmitted to air traffic control for use in providing surveillance separation services.
Currently, Juneau, Alaska; and several airports in the mountainous regions of Colorado will be the first to receive multitlateration systems.
Juneau Wide Area Multilateration Project
In addition to providing ADS-B services in Alaska, the SBS WSA office is responsible for implementing a Wide Area Multilateration system in Juneau, Alaska. This system will cover the Juneau terminal area, including departure and arrival corridors, and all associated fixes. The system will alleviate congestion and delays into Juneau and several surrounding airports that are caused by poor weather and the lack of surveillance. The system will also support ADS-B by providing a surveillance source for TIS-B data and serving as a backup in case of an outage.
Status of the Juneau Multilateration deployment:
- Site analysis and site engineering surveys – complete
- System design review – complete
- Site preparation and installation of initial 13 ground stations – November 2008
- Site acceptance testing – December 2008. After site acceptance testing, the FAA will assume control and be responsible for operational testing, separation-standards approval, and commissioning activities
- Initial Operating Capability – June 2009
- Add two ground stations to enhance coverage – October 2009
