DefenseElectronics

Understanding mode S technology

Stemming from several mid-air collisions in the mid-1980s, mode S has been
an integral part of airborne transportation today. Although air traffic is the safest
mode of transportation, more in-flight information is needed due to the increase
in traffic. Enhanced surveillance and ADS-B address this need.
By Wes Stamper

W hat is mode S? How does it work and

why is it needed? What was wrong with
the old mode A and C? What is Flight ID, UF
airframe identification and altitude reporting.
This was and still is an important component
of air traffic control and air space manage-
monopulse SSR, which has an electrically
narrowed beamwidth, typically 2.5 . Apart
from better azimuth accuracy the monopulse
and DF, squitter and elementary surveillance? ment. As more and more airframes were technique reduces the number of interroga-
This article will touch on many aspects of available to the private and commercial flying tions required to track a target, as it theo-
mode S technologies of today and tomorrow. community, this basic form of surveillance retically requires only one reply to obtain the
The article will also discuss flight ID, elemen- was overwhelming the capacity of the air azimuth and range of the airframe.
tary surveillance and UF and DF; explain the traffic control radar beacon system (ATCRBS).
details of basic mode S surveillance, how it Given the technology behind the mode A Where did mode S originate?
works and discuss the best practices to verify and C interrogation and reply, there were also The mode S concept was mostly a develop-
and test an installation. This discussion will problems with false reply uncorrelated in time ment of MIT Lincoln Lab with coordinated
also introduce the new enhanced surveillance, (FRUIT), seeing replies from another inter- efforts from the Federal Aviation Adminis-
DF17 extended squitter and ADS-B; explain rogation, and garbling one reply interfering tration (FAA), Aircraft Owners and Pilots
the difference between each of these new with another. The problem is analogous to Association (AOPA) and the transponder
technologies and what is needed to verify and attempting to listen to several conversations manufacturing community. Mode S technol-
test installations. at the same time. As such, the capacity of the ogy was first developed in the mid-1970s,
ATCRBS was being taxed to its limit. but was not widely deployed until the early
What is mode S? ATCRBS also uses the “sliding window” 1980s. The idea was to develop a way of
Mode S or mode “select,” is a new way technique to determine the azimuth position of using the same SSR that was being used in
to interrogate an airframe by using a distinct the aircraft. This requires many interrogations mode A and C, but to make it addressable,
address, such as an aircraft address, that only and replies, which reduce the target-handling more accurate and reliable, and operate with
a particular airframe will respond. Many capacity of the ATC secondary surveillance greater capacity.
years ago, mode A and C were developed for radar (SSR). The mode S system uses a Primary surveillance radar (PSR) is still
used to “paint” the airframe with a radar
pulse and place a target on the plan position
indicator (PPI), which is the display of the
ATC. However, the combined use of PSR and
SSR allows for better surveillance without
major upgrades to the existing PSR/SSR site.
This provides an addressable means of gath-
ering the same mode A and C information as
well as basic information about the airframe.
This new mode S technology is similar to the
new digital cellular phones.
Similar to mode A and C, years ago there
was the analog cellular phone, which allowed
basic communications with minimal features.
The current digital cellular phone has the same
basic communication but affords more site
capacity, better reliability and more capabili-
ties such as text messaging, Internet access
and global positioning system (GPS) location
information. The same holds true for mode S
surveillance. The mode S-equipped airframe
can now report identity, intent, capability
and location.

How does the interrogation and

reply actually work?
The basic ATCRBS system relies on pulsed
RF as its means of communications. These
Figure 1. Air to air surveillance. pulses are 0.8 µs wide and vary from 8.0 µs

18 www.rfdesign.com December 2005

to 21 µs spacing for mode A and C respec-
tively. The SLS (P2) pulse is also transmitted
omnidirectionally and is used to suppress any
replies to side lobe interrogations. The mode S
SSR will interrogate using a 1030 MHz carrier
with differential phase shift keying (DPSK)
modulation. DPSK allows the interrogation
frequency to have much more efficiency
in sending information without interfering
with mode A and C interrogations. DPSK
also allows for up to 4 MBps of data. As the
1030 MHz, DPSK signal sends out the
interrogation, the airframe will receive it,
verify the request and integrity of the signal,
and reply using a 1090 MHz carrier with pulse
positioning modulation (PPM) transmission.
SSR is central to the mode S system. Mode
S interrogations are generated at a rate of
50 times per second or 50 Hz pulse repetition
frequency (PRF) and approximately 230 Hz
for mode A/C interrogations. The reply will
happen at the same PRF although mode S SSR
has the ability to tell the mode S transponder
not to reply to every mode S interrogation it
receives. Once the SSR has received the reply Figure 2. Ground station request.
it will decode the mode (A, C or S) and de-
modulate the information within each mode. aircraft identification (DF4) and basic airframe squitter and the extended (112 bit) DF17
There are three interrogation types in a information (DF11). The SSR is the main squitter.
mode S SSR system: component of the interrogation and reply. The
1. ATCRBS all call: This interrogation interrogation happens about 50 Hz PRF. The UF and DF
consists of P1, P3 and a 0.8 µs P4 pulse. P2 reply will happen at the same PRF. Once the The functional components of mode S
SLS is transmitted as normal. All ATCRBS SSR has received the reply it will decode the are uplink format (UF) and downlink format
transponders reply with the 4096 identification mode (A, C or S) and demodulate the informa- (DF). UF is a specific interrogation originating
code for mode A interrogations and altitude tion within each mode. from SSR or another airframe asking specific,
data for mode C. Mode S transponders do not addressable information about that airframe.
reply on this interrogation. What is squitter? DF is the reply from the airframe in regard to
2. ATCRBS/mode S all call: This interro- A definition of squitter is a reply format the UF interrogation. UF 0, 4, 5, 11 and 16
gation is identical to the former except P4 is transmission without being interrogated. make up basic surveillance. Basic surveil-
1.6 µs long. ATCRBS transponders reply These “unsolicited replies” or squitters are lance messages are comprised of the airframe
with the 4096 code or altitude data as per the used to provide TCAS 2-equipped airframes address, parity bits and a 56-bit data word
ATCRBS all call. Mode S transponders re- with the discrete address of the squittering known as “short” interrogations and replies.
ply with a special code, which contains the airframe, to enable the TCAS 2 system to UF0 is a short air-to-air surveillance for
identity and the aircraft’s discrete address. acquire and track the airframe using mode S TCAS/ACAS (Figure 1). The DF0 reply will
3. Mode S discrete interrogation: This formats UF/DF0 and UF/DF16. include the mode C altitude as well as the
interrogation is directed at a specific mode Squitter has its origins in distance-mea- mode S address. To test DF0, its altitude reply
S transponder-equipped aircraft. The inter- suring equipment (DME) transmissions. is compared to the mode C altitude and the
rogation consists of P1, P2 and P6. P2 is The DME ground station would broadcast mode S address for verification. Also encoded
transmitted via the directional antenna and unsolicited replies or squitters. When the in the DF0 reply is the vertical status (VS)
hence is the same amplitude as P1 and P3. This airborne DME interrogator was in range, bit, the reply information (RI) field. The VS
effectively suppresses ATCRBS transponders the squitter would be seen and the DME bit will indicate a 1 if the airframe is on the
from replying. P6 is actually a DPSK data interrogator would then transmit a range ground and a 0 if it is on the air. The RI field
block that contains either a 56-bit or 112-bit interrogation and receive range replies from is a four-bit word containing the airframe’s
message. The DPSK modulation produces a the DME ground station. This served to true speed capability and type of reply to the
spread-spectrum signal, which has immunity limit unnecessary transmissions over the interrogating airframes.
to interference. air and optimized DME ground station- UF4 is a short, ground station request for
When the transponder receives a valid handling capability. TCAS 2 systems use altitude similar to the UF0 request, but initial-
mode S discrete interrogation, it will return mode S squitters in a similar fashion; the ized by the ground station (Figure 2). Testing
a reply 128 µs after reception. The reply is TCAS just listens for the DF11 squitters, the DF4 reply is verified against the mode C
transmitted on 1090 MHz and uses a 56-bit which contain the sending aircraft’s discrete altitude and the mode S address for validity.
or 112-bit PPM transmission. address, thereby reducing the need to Also encoded in the DF4 reply is the flight
Each mode S interrogation will have a interrogate over the air. The discrete address, status (FS) field, downlink request (DR) field,
24-bit address unique to the aircraft as well once obtained, is placed on the TCAS 2 utility message (UM) and the altitude code
as a 24-bit parity check for validation. In processor’s roll call of addresses for ongoing (AC) field. The FS field is a three-bit word
basic mode S surveillance, the informa- tracking. Mode S technology has two types of reflecting eight different conditions of air-
tion is limited to altitude reporting (DF0), squitter, a short (56 bit) DF11 acquisition borne, alert and special position indicator

RF Design www.rfdesign.com 19
 status (FS) and altitude code (AC). These
parameters are compared to the DF11
reply for validity. A transponder that does
not have an active subsystem that will
accept comm A data will not reply to a
UF20 interrogation.
UF21 is the long from of a UF5. Where
the DF5 is 56 bits long, the DF21 is 112
bits long. The DF21 reply is also known
as comm A identity request. The DF21
reply also contains a 56-bit message
field for transferring downlinked aircraft
parameters (DAPS). To properly test the
DF21 reply, the UF21 must contain a reply
request (RR) of 17, a designator identi-
fier (DI) of 7 and a reply request subfield
(RRS) of 0. The working component of
the DF21 reply is the comm B message
field or MB. Contained in the MB field is
aircraft address (AA), downlink request
(DR), flight status (FS) and identification
code (ID). These parameters are compared
to the DF11 reply for validity. A transponder
that does not have an active subsystem that
will accept comm A data will not reply to
Figure 3. ADS-B broadcast data. a UF21 interrogation.

(SPI) status of the airframe. The DR field is a word, from 0 to 15, containing the identifica- Uplink extended length
five-bit word that will contain the request to tion code of the interrogator. The SI field is messaging (UELM )
downlink certain airframe information. The a six-bit word, from 0 to 63, used to identify This is known as comm C capability of a
UM field is a six-bit word that contains tran- the types of surveillance. transponder. A transponder must be a level
sponder communication status information. UF16 is a long, air-to-air surveillance for 3 to accept a UELM message. UELM oper-
The AC field is a 13-bit word that contains ACAS and is the long form of a UF0. Where ates over UF24, which allows for long data
the altitude of the airframe with special encod- the DF0 is 56 bits long, the DF16 is 112 bits messages to be sent from the ground station
ing for feet or metric units and if the altitude long. The DF16 reply will have in it the mode to the airframe. UF24 works similar to any
resolution is 25 feet or 100 feet. C altitude, as well as the mode S address. other interrogation with one exception. The
UF5 is a short, ground station request for Testing DF0, the altitude reply is compared to UELM message is capable of up to 16-bit to
the airframe identity. The DF5 reply is the the mode C altitude and the mode S address 80-bit message segments for this extended
airframe’s identification and is compared for verification. Also encoded in the DF16 message. The working component of UELM
to the mode A 4096 code for validity. Also reply is the vertical status (VS) bit, the reply is the comm C message (MC) field. This
encoded in the DF5 reply is the flight status information (RI) field and the altitude code MC field works in conjunction with the
(FS) field, downlink request (DR) field, (AC) field. The VS bit will indicate a 1 if the number of C (NC) or segments to allow for
utility message (UM) and the identification airframe is on the ground and a 0 if it is in the the extended message.
(ID) field. The FS field is a three-bit word air. The RI field is a four-bit word containing
reflecting eight different conditions of the airframe’s true speed capability and type Downlink extended length
airborne, alert and special position indicator of reply to the interrogating airframes. The AC messaging (DELM )
(SPI) status of the airframe. The DR field is a field is the mode S altitude that is compared This is known as comm D capability of
five-bit word that will contain the request to to the mode C reply for validity. Also in the a transponder. A transponder must be a
downlink certain airframe information. The DF16 is the message comm V (MV) field. This level 4 to transmit a DELM message. DELM
UM field is a six-bit word that contains tran- field contains information used in air-to-air operates over DF24, which allows for long
sponder communication status information. exchanges (coordination reply message). data messages to be sent from the airframe
The ID field is a 24-bit word that contains UF20 is the long form of a UF4. Where to the ground station. DF24 works similar to
the mode A identification of the airframe. the DF4 is 56 bits long, the DF20 is 112 bits other interrogations with one exception. The
UF11 will request the airframe’s mode S long. The DF20 reply is also known as comm DELM message is capable of up to 16-bit to
address. The DF11, or all-call reply, will reply A altitude request. The DF20 reply also con- 80-bit message segments for this extended
with the airframe address (squitter address) as tains a 56-bit message field for transferring message. The working component of DELM
well as the capability (CA) field, parity/inter- downlinked aircraft parameters (DAPS). To is the comm D message (MD) field. This
rogator identifier (PI) field, the interrogator properly test the DF20 reply, the UF20 must MD field works in conjunction with the
identifier (II) and surveillance identifier (SI). contain a reply request (RR) of 17, a desig- number of D (ND) segments to allow for the
The CA field is a three-bit word that contains nator identifier (DI) of 7 and a reply request extended message.
the communication capabilities of the tran- subfield (RRS) of 0. The working component
sponder. The PI field is a 24-bit word that of the DF20 reply is the comm B message field What is flight ID?
will report the interrogator identification code (MB). Contained in the MB field is aircraft Flight ID has its origins in the International
with a parity overlay. The II field is a four-bit address (AA), downlink request (DR), flight Civil Aeronautics Organization (ICAO). The

20 www.rfdesign.com December 2005

flight ID is an eight-character identification report (BDS 1,7), aircraft identification (BDS airborne velocity. This will report the east/west
that is entered by the pilot usually via a flight 2,0), and ACAS active resolution advisor and north /south velocities, heading, vertical
deck CDU. The flight ID may contain the report (BDS 3,0). A EuroControl mandate rate and altitude source, the difference between
company-assigned number for that particular stated that elementary surveillance installa- the barometric and GPS altitude, the IFR
flight. If the company-assigned number is tions started March 31, 2003 with a transitional capability and airspeed.
not available or not used, the flight ID then period up to March 31, 2005.
becomes the aircraft tail number. The flight ID What is ADS-B?
supplements the unique 24-bit aircraft discrete What is enhanced surveillance? As previously discussed, DF17 is the
address and is used by ATC for monitoring Enhanced surveillance, as in elementary integral and working portion of automatic
purposes. surveillance, is as easy as 4, 5, 6—that is BDS dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B)
4, 5 and 6. Take the concept of elementary (Figure 3). Breaking down the meaning of the
What level is the transponder surveillance and add new aircraft intent report- terms: automatic—there is no interrogation
being tested? ing fields. These fields are selected vertical needed to start the data or squitter coming from
The level of a transponder is an important intent (BDS 4,0), track and turn report (BDS the transponder; dependent—as it relies on
point when testing an installation. The level 5,0) and heading and speed report (BDS 6,0). onboard navigation and broadcast equipment
reports the capabilities of the transponder. The selected vertical intent report (BDS 4,0) is to provide information to other ADS-B users;
A level 1 transponder is one with basic used to indicate such items as the barometric and surveillance—it is a means of automatic
surveillance capabilities. This is UF0, UF4, altitude of the airframe, the selected altitude surveillance and traffic coordination. Some of
UF5 and UF11 reporting. A level 1 tran- of the mode control panel or flight control the benefits of ADS-B technology are better
sponder will have no provision for datalink unit (MCP/FCU) and the flight management use of airspace, improved aircraft-on-ground
capabilities or extended length messaging. A system (FMS). The target altitude of the surveillance and better safety for traffic avoid-
level 2 transponder will have all the features aircraft also reports what altitude the aircraft ance and conflict management.
of a level 1 with capabilities for UF16, UF20
and UF21 or comm A/B protocol. Most tran- The level of a transponder is an important
sponders installed today are level 2 capable.
The level 3 transponder adds uplink extended
length messaging (UELM) to the level 2
point when testing an installation.
transponder. The level 3 transponder is capable is intending to use. The track and turn report Conclusion
of receiving a UELM from the ground interro- (BDS 5,0) will indicate the roll angle, true Will the air transport industry of tomorrow
gation using comm C (UF24) format, but does track angle and rate, ground speed and true truly be a “free flight” community, without the
not need to reply directly. The UELM reply air speed of the aircraft. The heading and speed need for ATC or ground surveillance? This is
will include a summary of the interrogation. report will reflect the indicated air speed and another discussion entirely. However, mode S
A level 4 transponder is the most advanced mach, the barometric altitude rate, the mag- will continue to evolve to meet the needs of
in its capabilities. This transponder adds netic heading and inertial vertical velocity. an ever-expanding airborne community. The
downlink extended length messaging (DELM) notion of small private aircraft and large air
to the level 3 transponder. The DELM is used What is DF17 extended squitter? transports sharing the same airspace without
similar to the UELM except the DELM is The concept of DF17 extended squitter is the ever-watchful eye of ATC may be a far-
air to ground transmissions. similar to elementary and enhanced surveil- fetched idea for the near term, but may become
lance with one exception: DF17 is a squitter a reality in the future. Only 50 or 60 years ago,
Comm B and BDS and does not need an interrogation. Therefore, pilots coined the original phrase of IFR or
These parameters make up an important the DF17 will report its information regard- “I Follow Road” for guidance and surveillance.
part of elementary and enhanced surveil- less of any ground station or airframe ask- All the while the pilots are relying on radio
lance. Comm B is the integral part of DF20 ing. DF17 extended squitter is supported by contact and visual acquisition for collision
and DF21 that has the message B (MB) field the FAA and will make an important part of avoidance. Today, we rely upon high-tech elec-
within its reply. The MB message field may automatic dependent surveillance—broadcast tronics to autonomously navigate our airspace.
contain downlink data requested from the tran- (ADS-B). DF17 extended squitter includes What will the next 50 years reveal? For now,
sponders’ BDS registers. These BDS registers airborne position (BDS 0,5), surface position an understanding of the mode S of today and
or comm B designated subfield registers (BDS 0,6), extended squitter status (BDS 0,7), the new technologies of tomorrow is needed to
contain information about the status, intent identity and category (BDS 0,8) as well as provide for a safe flying environment.
and location of the airframe. airborne velocity (BDS 0,9) reporting.
Airborne position (BDS 0,5) includes the
What is elementary surveillance? longitude and latitude of the aircraft, the ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elementary surveillance is as easy as 1, 2, barometric altitude, the GNSS (GPS derived)
3 or BDS 1, 2 and 3. This concept is driven height and surveillance status. Surface posi- Wes Stamper is a sales support engineer
largely in part by EuroControl, that takes basic tion is similar to airborne position with the for Avionics Products at Aeroflex. He has
surveillance (UF0, 4, 5, 11) a step further in longitude and latitude of the aircraft, and the been with Aeroflex (formerly IFR Sys-
adding the features of DF20 comm B com- movement and heading of the aircraft. The tems, Wichita, Kan.) for 17 years. He has
munications for datalink and identification extended squitter status report will reflect authored several papers on avionics test
of the airframe. Elementary surveillance is the surface squitter rate, altitude type and methodologies and other technologies, as
made up of several new components. These extended squitter status. BDS 0,8 or identity well as given presentations, discussions
are 25-foot resolution altitude decode, inter- and category will report the ADS-B emitter and training sessions on the subject of
rogator identification (II) and surveillance category type ranging from “no reporting” avionics test. He can be reached at wes.
identification (SI) verification, flight status, to surface vehicle to space vehicle. The last stamper@aeroflex.com.
data link capability report (BDS 1,0), GICB of these, and possibly the most intense, is

RF Design www.rfdesign.com 21