Satas Demonstrates Automated ATC at Sun ’n’ Fun
New technology will bring traffic advisories to airports without air traffic control towers.
DeTect’s SharpEye radar is integral to the new Synthetic Air Traffic Advisory System.
DeTect’s SharpEye radar is integral to the new Synthetic Air Traffic Advisory System.

Dr. David Byers, developer of the Synthetic Air Traffic Advisory System (Satas), which uses off-the-shelf technology to create a virtual control tower, demonstrated the system at last week’s Sun ’n’ Fun show in Lakeland, Fla. Satas combines a SharpEye radar unit, developed by DeTect of Panama City, Fla., for marine applications, with the airfield radar system from SRI of Rockledge, Fla., which makes ground security radars. Together, the systems identify and track aircraft flying in the area, all without the need for any transponders on board the aircraft. The final version of the system will also broadcast the traffic that the radars see using a computer-generated voice on the local traffic advisory frequency.

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