State-of-the-art on traffic function
The traffic surveillance function is performed today through two means involving datalink:
- Transponder Mode S (TSO-C112) answering incoming request from the ground surveillance radar or from other aircraft.
- ACAS (TSO-C119b) performing the interrogation of surrounding aircraft transponders and providing the crew with advisories of impending traffic hazard and corrective action.
These means are not adequate to provide the crew with a proper overview of the surrounding traffic in dense area. The traffic function shall evolve toward a mean providing full traffic situation awareness even in dense area in order to lower the risk of entering into a hazardous situation.
