ADSB Receiver (Avare ADSB)
Description
Dive into the world of aviation with your very own ADSB Receiver. Experience real-time air traffic data right at your fingertips, transforming your device into a powerful radar!
Receive live ADSB data (978 MHz UAT and 1090 MHz ES). All you need is a supported USB dongle and an OTG cable, both available from various sources on the internet for less than $20.-. No subscription required!
Harness the capabilities of your Software Defined Radio device (RTL-SDR) to capture live Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADSB) data. With ADSB Receiver, you'll have access to:
- Aircraft Positions
Track the movements of nearby aircraft, including altitude, speed and heading. - Weather Data
Stay informed with official NEXRAD weather images (using a GDL90 capable app), plus aviation reports like METAR, PIREP, WINDS and more.
Available in the Android store as a free version (which requires the app to be restarted once a certain amount of data has been received) and as an unlimited "Pro" version.
Usage
- Attach a supported USB dongle to your Android device using an OnTheGo (OTG) cable. Make sure your device supports OTG!
- Allow access to the dongle.
You should see packages flowing in quickly, depending on your location. Click on an aircraft in the "Traffic" view to show it on the map, or open the "Map" view directly. Clicking on the text-box after selecting an aircraft on the map will provide additional details.
Do not use any battery-saving modes if you need the app to run in the background.
You're a Drone Pilot and concerned about nearby traffic? Enable traffic monitoring based on range to be alerted of any approaching aircraft.
You can save all data received or forward it to most GDL90 compatible apps (AvareX, iFlyGPS, FltPlanGo, DroidEFB, ...). The app can also receive data from external systems in dump1090/dump978 (AVR) format on UDP port 47909.
For example, if you have AvareX installed, use this app to forward live ADSB data (traffic and weather) as follows:
- In Avare ADSB
- Enable "GDL90"
(you do not need to enable the "Destination" option)
- Enable "GDL90"
- In AvareX
- No configuration needed.
Please note that AvareX limits the visibility of ADSB data by default. It will only show traffic within 3000ft vertically and within 10nm horizontally of your own position.
- No configuration needed.
Hardware
You need:
- RTL-SDR based USB dongle with Antenna
- OTG Cable or Adapter
- ADSB Antenna (optional, for better performance)
Supported and recommended tuners:
- Rafael Micro R820T
- Rafael Micro R820T2 (R860)
Not recommended or not supported:
- Elonics E4000 (will almost never work)
- Fitipower FC0013 (very low performance)
- Fitipower FC0012
Example OTG Cable & Adapter
USB C to USB 3.2 Adapter with Charging Port
Optional power source for Android device!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Does this app require an active internet connection?
- No, all ADSB data is received over the air. It is in fact recommended to disable all network communications (enable flight mode) to save battery power. However, if you are using the internal Map, you will require an active internet connection.
- Does this app work everywhere?
- Yes, Avare ADSB works globally.
The free AvareX app provides FAA aviation materials for the United States and other maps for most of the world.
- Yes, Avare ADSB works globally.
- Is it required to "root" the Android device for this app?
- No.
- I see data coming in on the "Data" screen, but the map is still empty?
- Just wait a bit longer. Various single frames need to be received, in order to display the data on the map.
- Does this app work from the "ground"?
- Yes. You will receive 1090 MHz ES (Traffic) very easy but 978 MHz UAT (Traffic / Weather) reception can be limited.
- Will this app keep receiving data while the device is in sleep mode?
- This depends on the device and the related Android configuration. Some devices will continue (e.g. Samsung Galaxy S3), some not (e.g. Asus TF300T).
- I cannot open the map or other windows in the app, what may cause this?
- Verify if you have "Don't keep Activities" enabled in the Developer Options, or are limiting Android Activities in any other way.
Credits
Martin Marinov
Kees Jongenburger
Steve Markgraf, Dimitri Stolnikov, Hoernchen, Kyle Keen, Pavel Vasilyev, Aliaksandr Babrykovich
Salvatore Sanfilippo
Oliver Jowett
Edward Cardew
Myles Grant
Document 1090-WP-14-09R1
RTCA special committee 186
Document SBS-Description-Doc_SRT_47_rev01_20111024
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Disclaimer & Licenses
Disclaimer
ALL SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
Licenses
The rtl-sdr and dump978 related work is licensed under GPL. METAR report decoding is covered under LGPL, chart display under Apache. All other parts are licensed under FreeBSD. Please refer to the links and the header of each source file for details.