gr-air-modes¶
Decodes aircraft transponder replies with GNU Radio
- Version recorded: 0.0.20210211
- Categories:
aircraft,sdr-toolkits - Upstream: https://github.com/bistromath/gr-air-modes
- Needs first:
gnuradio
What it does¶
Receives Mode S and ADS-B transmissions at 1090 MHz and decodes them into aircraft identity, altitude, position and velocity, with output to a map, to a log, or to the network formats other tracking software consumes.
Why you would want it¶
It is the GNU Radio path to ADS-B, which means the decode chain is open to inspection and modification rather than being a black box that emits aircraft. For learning how the protocol works, or for experimenting with the demodulator, it is the one to reach for.
Before it will work¶
An SDR that reaches 1090 MHz with at least 2 MHz of bandwidth, and an antenna for that band -- a quarter wave is about 7 cm, so a proper antenna is small and cheap and makes an enormous difference against the stub that came with a dongle.
How it installs¶
- apt:
gr-air-modes
Known problems¶
For simply collecting aircraft data, readsb or dump1090 are considerably more efficient -- they are purpose-built decoders and this is a general framework doing the same job at higher CPU cost. Upstream has been quiet since 2021, which the version string makes plain. Aircraft positions are broadcast in the clear by design; what you may do with them is not a technical question.
Keeping it current¶
- probe: apt policy
- strategy: apt_upgrade
Where to get help with the software itself¶
Nick Foster. GitHub issues at the URL above.