FLARM releases firmware for ADS-R and TIS-B

On 1/13/2021 3:53 PM, MNLou wrote:
I can't say that I'm happy that they choose to charge for this pretty important upgrade.

Lou


Right. It's just a software change, like other firmware updates. And
it enhances safety. Charging (149 euros) for activating the feature
means a lot of people will skip it, and ADS-R "targets" will remain
invisible. And those UAT "targets" are generally small airplanes who
share our altitudes. It's one thing to charge extra for non-safety
bonus features (such as IGC approved logging) and another to cut into
the basic collision avoidance purpose of the device.

Question: the lack of collision warnings due to low accuracy fix, does
that apply to ADS-R or only to TIS-B? You'd think the position of
airplanes transmitting GPS coordinates on UAT is precisely known, just
like those transmitting on 1090? Only airplanes whose position is only
derived from ground RADAR would be imprecise.

Moshe,

Only TIS-B has position uncertainty from the imprecision of SSR, which varies with the distance from the radar station. Both ADS-R and TIS-B have some position error from delay introduced by the reception-processing-rebroadcast sequence. ADS-B is not designed for close proximity collision warning - it's more a traffic separation tool - 5 miles and 1000 feet. I believe you can get ADS-R/TIS-B traffic alerts at, say, 1 mile, depending on on your display.

I have no problem with the small fee (a few tows) to compensate for the trouble and expense to deliver this US-only functionality. It's a significantly complex task to integrate these new target types - at less than a 10% upcharge on the core unit. Keep in mind that they had to do this from a country that doesn't have these services so all the testing and refinement of the code had to be done based on a remote unit installed at my house overlooking SFO followed by flight testing 7 time zones away with emailed flight logs and pilot reports - no direct hands-on. They didn't have to do it at all - the US is a small segment of the total global soaring market for Flarm. I'm glad they did. It works well.

If you get a Fusion it's all included. That might be the preferred choice if you don't like the feature unbundling.

Andy Blackburn
9B


On Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 3:26:55 PM UTC-8, Moshe Braner wrote:
On 1/13/2021 3:53 PM, MNLou wrote:
I can't say that I'm happy that they choose to charge for this pretty important upgrade.

Lou

Right. It's just a software change, like other firmware updates. And
it enhances safety. Charging (149 euros) for activating the feature
means a lot of people will skip it, and ADS-R "targets" will remain
invisible. And those UAT "targets" are generally small airplanes who
share our altitudes. It's one thing to charge extra for non-safety
bonus features (such as IGC approved logging) and another to cut into
the basic collision avoidance purpose of the device.

Question: the lack of collision warnings due to low accuracy fix, does
that apply to ADS-R or only to TIS-B? You'd think the position of
airplanes transmitting GPS coordinates on UAT is precisely known, just
like those transmitting on 1090? Only airplanes whose position is only
derived from ground RADAR would be imprecise.

On Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 8:23:00 AM UTC+1, wrote:
Moshe,

Only TIS-B has position uncertainty from the imprecision of SSR, which varies with the distance from the radar station. Both ADS-R and TIS-B have some position error from delay introduced by the reception-processing-rebroadcast sequence. ADS-B is not designed for close proximity collision warning - it's more a traffic separation tool - 5 miles and 1000 feet. I believe you can get ADS-R/TIS-B traffic alerts at, say, 1 mile, depending on on your display.

Yes. We will try enabling traffic alerts for ADS-R, but I'm a bit reluctant since correctly detecting tow trains may be hard, given the (uncertain) time delay.

Honestly, the dual-ADS-B setup in the US - of which ADS-R/TIS-B is the consequence - is a surprisingly complex beast. We're thus happy to hear your feedback, preferably with IGC log files sent along to .

Thanks
- Urban

On Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 6:12:27 AM UTC-8, Urban Mäder wrote:
On Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 8:23:00 AM UTC+1, wrote:
Moshe,

Only TIS-B has position uncertainty from the imprecision of SSR, which varies with the distance from the radar station. Both ADS-R and TIS-B have some position error from delay introduced by the reception-processing-rebroadcast sequence. ADS-B is not designed for close proximity collision warning - it's more a traffic separation tool - 5 miles and 1000 feet. I believe you can get ADS-R/TIS-B traffic alerts at, say, 1 mile, depending on on your display.
Yes. We will try enabling traffic alerts for ADS-R, but I'm a bit reluctant since correctly detecting tow trains may be hard, given the (uncertain) time delay.

Honestly, the dual-ADS-B setup in the US - of which ADS-R/TIS-B is the consequence - is a surprisingly complex beast. We're thus happy to hear your feedback, preferably with IGC log files sent along to .

Thanks
- Urban


The Benefit for upgrading to 7.03 is that the annual update is reset.

FLARM uses a rolling release cycle, requiring an annual update. Each update can be applied anytime during a rolling one-year period. This makes it easier to align FLARM firmware updates with the yearly aircraft maintenance. It is also in line with the maintenance care that a safety system requires.

The ADS-R and TIS-B reception is important to be able to receive aircraft that have UAT instead of 1090ES or that have no ADS-B Out at all.

You can purchase at:

http://www.craggyaero.com/powerflarm_core1.htm

Happy New Year

Richard
www.craggyaero.com

On Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 9:14:50 AM UTC-7, Richard Pfiffner wrote:
On Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 6:12:27 AM UTC-8, Urban Mäder wrote:
On Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 8:23:00 AM UTC+1, wrote:
Moshe,

Only TIS-B has position uncertainty from the imprecision of SSR, which varies with the distance from the radar station. Both ADS-R and TIS-B have some position error from delay introduced by the reception-processing-rebroadcast sequence. ADS-B is not designed for close proximity collision warning - it's more a traffic separation tool - 5 miles and 1000 feet. I believe you can get ADS-R/TIS-B traffic alerts at, say, 1 mile, depending on on your display.
Yes. We will try enabling traffic alerts for ADS-R, but I'm a bit reluctant since correctly detecting tow trains may be hard, given the (uncertain) time delay.

Honestly, the dual-ADS-B setup in the US - of which ADS-R/TIS-B is the consequence - is a surprisingly complex beast. We're thus happy to hear your feedback, preferably with IGC log files sent along to .

Thanks
- Urban
The Benefit for upgrading to 7.03 is that the annual update is reset.

FLARM uses a rolling release cycle, requiring an annual update. Each update can be applied anytime during a rolling one-year period. This makes it easier to align FLARM firmware updates with the yearly aircraft maintenance. It is also in line with the maintenance care that a safety system requires..

The ADS-R and TIS-B reception is important to be able to receive aircraft that have UAT instead of 1090ES or that have no ADS-B Out at all.

You can purchase at:

http://www.craggyaero.com/powerflarm_core1.htm

Happy New Year

Richard
www.craggyaero.com
So if I have a core and no ads out, do I still have to purchase to do the annual update?

On Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 10:00:35 AM UTC-8, wrote:
On Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 9:14:50 AM UTC-7, Richard Pfiffner wrote:
On Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 6:12:27 AM UTC-8, Urban Mäder wrote:
On Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 8:23:00 AM UTC+1, wrote:
Moshe,

Only TIS-B has position uncertainty from the imprecision of SSR, which varies with the distance from the radar station. Both ADS-R and TIS-B have some position error from delay introduced by the reception-processing-rebroadcast sequence. ADS-B is not designed for close proximity collision warning - it's more a traffic separation tool - 5 miles and 1000 feet. I believe you can get ADS-R/TIS-B traffic alerts at, say, 1 mile, depending on on your display.
Yes. We will try enabling traffic alerts for ADS-R, but I'm a bit reluctant since correctly detecting tow trains may be hard, given the (uncertain) time delay.

Honestly, the dual-ADS-B setup in the US - of which ADS-R/TIS-B is the consequence - is a surprisingly complex beast. We're thus happy to hear your feedback, preferably with IGC log files sent along to .

Thanks
- Urban
The Benefit for upgrading to 7.03 is that the annual update is reset.

FLARM uses a rolling release cycle, requiring an annual update. Each update can be applied anytime during a rolling one-year period. This makes it easier to align FLARM firmware updates with the yearly aircraft maintenance. It is also in line with the maintenance care that a safety system requires.

The ADS-R and TIS-B reception is important to be able to receive aircraft that have UAT instead of 1090ES or that have no ADS-B Out at all.

You can purchase at:

http://www.craggyaero.com/powerflarm_core1.htm

Happy New Year

Richard
www.craggyaero.com
So if I have a core and no ads out, do I still have to purchase to do the annual update?


No you don't have to purchase anything the firmware update is always free.

Yes get the update or your Flarm will not work after the 1 year update cycle. Update is free

Read the following information carefully to ensure that your device is always kept serviceable.

FLARM uses a rolling release cycle, requiring an annual update. Each update can be applied anytime during a rolling one-year period. This makes it easier to align FLARM firmware updates with the yearly aircraft maintenance. It is also in line with the maintenance care that a safety system requires.

As the update cycle is individual, no generic information is sent out on individual firmware expiration dates.

Sign up now for our Newsletter to be informed when new and important firmware is released. You can do this in the Newsletter box at the bottom of the sidebar to the right. After clicking on the link in the email that you will receive, you will also receive information about other upcoming releases introducing additional features.


Richard
www.craggyaero.com

On Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 10:00:35 AM UTC-8, Cliff Hilty wrote:
/snip/
So if I have a core and no ads out, do I still have to purchase to do the annual update?

No. You purchase the option if you want it.

On Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 12:54:50 PM UTC-6, Darryl Ramm wrote:
On Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 10:00:35 AM UTC-8, Cliff Hilty wrote:
/snip/
So if I have a core and no ads out, do I still have to purchase to do the annual update?
No. You purchase the option if you want it.


If I dont have ADS-B out will this firmware upgrade do anything for me? I'm on the waiting list for a Fusion so I'm getting it anyway.

I assume TIS-B is not available in Europe otherwise wouldn’t it be beneficial also in Europe to rebroadcast non ADS-B transponder equipped aircraft like gliders? Or in Europe there are no exceptions so all gliders have ADS-B? Otherwise there is an advantage to the US TIS-B as we can now see most gliders which are only equipped with transponders.

Ramy

On Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 6:12:27 AM UTC-8, Urban Mäder wrote:
On Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 8:23:00 AM UTC+1, wrote:
Moshe,

Only TIS-B has position uncertainty from the imprecision of SSR, which varies with the distance from the radar station. Both ADS-R and TIS-B have some position error from delay introduced by the reception-processing-rebroadcast sequence. ADS-B is not designed for close proximity collision warning - it's more a traffic separation tool - 5 miles and 1000 feet. I believe you can get ADS-R/TIS-B traffic alerts at, say, 1 mile, depending on on your display.
Yes. We will try enabling traffic alerts for ADS-R, but I'm a bit reluctant since correctly detecting tow trains may be hard, given the (uncertain) time delay.

Honestly, the dual-ADS-B setup in the US - of which ADS-R/TIS-B is the consequence - is a surprisingly complex beast. We're thus happy to hear your feedback, preferably with IGC log files sent along to .

Thanks
- Urban

On Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 10:53:27 PM UTC-8, Ramy wrote:
I assume TIS-B is not available in Europe otherwise wouldn’t it be beneficial also in Europe to rebroadcast non ADS-B transponder equipped aircraft like gliders? Or in Europe there are no exceptions so all gliders have ADS-B? Otherwise there is an advantage to the US TIS-B as we can now see most gliders which are only equipped with transponders.

Yo Ramy

(I know I'm not going to do this justice in one paragraph, but here goes). A glider type exemption for ADS-B does not really apply. European mandatory ADS-B Out carriage mandates have been more focused on IFR traffic and larger aircraft. Europe has had a different approach than the USA. It's favored what I'd see as a more structured methodical move to Mode-S and ADS-B/1090ES Out. If everybody, or at least folks in busy airspace eventually end up with ADS-B Out you maybe don't need TIS-B. But Europe has also dragged their feet in some areas. All that complex infrastructure to rebroadcast SSR as TIS-B is a significant undertaking and extra complex when you have multiple nations involved. And EUROCONTROL and SESAR and all the collaborating nations have had other priorities. TIS-B for example does not directly help increase controlled airspace utilization/density of airline flights, and wether right or wrong the airline requirements drive much of the planning in Europe, as they also did in the USA. But in the USA TIS-B (and FIS-B and continuation of Mode-C transponder use) was sold by the FAA in part to appease the GA political lobby and seen as an inducement to get folks to folks to adopt ADS-B Out... which will then enable it's use in NEXTGEN to help the airlines. I'm not sure all that political appeasement actually resulted in the best overall system. EUROCONTROL member nations prioritized adoption of Mode-S and Mode-S enhanced surveleice (Google it) to help increase airline safety and density while the USA went with "Mode-S lite" and skipped to a dual link ADS-B system.

TIS-B has been played with by European researchers so folks there sure understand the technology. Some of the Thales (currently 1090ES) ADS-B ground stations deployed in Europe should be very UAT Out/FIS-B compatible. Currently it looks like SESAR (kind of the European version of Mitre Corp.) is looking at a FIS-B like system maybe combined with some TIS-B like capability (I've not kept up) using entirely different (cellular?) frequency bands and aimed at portable devices in GA aircraft. There is a long running differences between the USA and Europe around other data uplink approaches/standards so don't expect everybody to agree on this stuff :-) (but I'd hope Europe looks hard at FIS-B over UAT).

If the future includes a lot of drones/UAVs then surveillance and traffic awareness for them may cause challenges here, all these existing systems were just not designed for that and it's going to need to affect what happens in future.

Ramy
On Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 6:12:27 AM UTC-8, Urban Mäder wrote:
On Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 8:23:00 AM UTC+1, wrote:
Moshe,

Only TIS-B has position uncertainty from the imprecision of SSR, which varies with the distance from the radar station. Both ADS-R and TIS-B have some position error from delay introduced by the reception-processing-rebroadcast sequence. ADS-B is not designed for close proximity collision warning - it's more a traffic separation tool - 5 miles and 1000 feet. I believe you can get ADS-R/TIS-B traffic alerts at, say, 1 mile, depending on on your display.
Yes. We will try enabling traffic alerts for ADS-R, but I'm a bit reluctant since correctly detecting tow trains may be hard, given the (uncertain) time delay.

Honestly, the dual-ADS-B setup in the US - of which ADS-R/TIS-B is the consequence - is a surprisingly complex beast. We're thus happy to hear your feedback, preferably with IGC log files sent along to .

Thanks
- Urban