The multilateration system is a system that has been designed to comply with surveillance requirements. Avionixtech’ engineers have gained valuable knowledge and experience installing and testing transponder multilateration systems. The experience gained has contributed to a robust system design with features to alleviate problems that arose during initial concept trials. Additionally, this extensive field experience provided insight into the practical issues associated with fielding a dispersed sensor system at an active airport. The MLAT system is designed for high availability, minimal preventive maintenance, and simplified corrective maintenance procedures.

The MLAT system provides a high-performance sensor, which accurately monitors and supports control of the airport surface and surrounding area.  A key feature of the MLAT system is its ability to track and identify non-Mode S, Mode S and ADS-B equipped aircraft at a high update rate.  The MLAT system is distinguished from competing systems by its interrogation capability, its advanced target processing, its redundant, flexible and expandable architecture, and its ruggedized design suitable for any airport environment. The system is easy to install and maintain, and has flexibility with respect to deployment around an airport.

Multilateration offers a new approach to airport surface detection and represents a significant departure from traditional secondary surveillance radar. Avionixtech offers a fully compliant multilateration system with minimal program risk and a low life-cycle cost by virtue of our extensive experience with fielded systems. Logistics support for the system is straightforward, as the MLAT system is designed for high availability, minimal preventive maintenance, and simple corrective maintenance procedures. As part of current production deliveries, the MLAT system has undergone testing to various standards. 

The MLAT system provides an accurate, reliable, and cost-effective cooperative sensor airport surface surveillance system utilizing, field-proven hardware and software to the fullest extent possible. The MLAT system design team maximized the use of proven Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) components in order to reduce cost, increase reliability, and minimize component obsolescence.

The MLAT system architecture shows that standard modems are used, however, the system can also utilize RF modems, Fiber Optic rings, Local Area Network, or any other standard communication media.