A Robust Method for Universal Beacon Code Assignment

Abstract

This paper describes a method for assignment of beacon codes for secondary surveillance that eliminates the need for code reassignments. The method, Space-Time Adjacency algorithm, assigns unique codes to flights by exploiting the temporal and spatial opportunities in individual flight plans. In simulations of 2007 National Airspace System traffic using this method no reassignments were required. The method is robust for peak day operations in all seasons in the presence of temporal and spatial variations in flight plans. As a result, controller and pilot workload can be reduced, while increasing safety margins.