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ADS-B Aircraft Tracker

Estimated Time: ~5 minutes

Summary​

The ADS-B Aircraft Tracker lab demonstrates how aircraft broadcast telemetry information and how SDR receivers decode and visualize this data.

This lab provides a safe environment for understanding aviation surveillance systems and aircraft tracking workflows.

Launching the Lab​

Start SDRForge:

python3 SDRForge.py

Select:

ADS-B Aircraft Tracker

ADS-B Menu

Interface Overview​

The ADS-B dashboard contains:

  • Interactive map - You can see planes live with real incoming data
  • Flight information panel - This includes call sign, altitude, and direction
  • Live tracking display - Panel updates every 5 seconds

Aircraft Map

Understanding ADS-B​

ADS-B stands for:

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast

Aircraft periodically transmit:

  • Position
  • Altitude
  • Ground Speed
  • Heading
  • Callsign

Aircraft Details​

Selecting an aircraft displays:

  • Callsign
  • ICAO Address
  • Altitude
  • Speed
  • Heading

Aircraft Details

Data Flow​

Aircraft
    ↓
 ADS-B Broadcast
    ↓
 Decoder
    ↓
 Map Display

Troubleshooting​

No aircraft visible​

Verify the simulation has started and refresh the browser.

Map not updating​

Restart the lab and reload the page.

Aircraft was present and no longer appears​

Shut down the lab and give it a few minutes; the API has a request limit.