Introduction
Sky Observer for Desktop is a desktop ADS-B receiver, decoder and tracker software.
Sky Observer can receive and process ADS-B & Mode-S messages from commercial or homemade ADS-B/Mode-S receiver hardware, extract flight information and make tracking. It can also output flight information in standard ASTERIX category 21 format.
Sky Observer can change your PC to an ADS-B Ground Station System.
ADS-B Message
Sky Observer is capable to process the following types of ADS-B messages.
| ADS-B Message Type | DO-260 | DO-260A | DO-260B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airborne Position Message | YES | YES | YES |
| Surface Position Message | — | — | — |
| Aircraft Identity and Category Message | YES | YES | YES |
| Airborne Velocity Message (Ground) | YES | YES | YES |
| Airborne Velocity Message (Air) | — | — | — |
| Aircraft Status Message (Emergency) | YES | YES | YES |
| Aircraft Status Message | N/A | N/A | — |
| Target State and Status Message | N/A | YES | YES |
| Aircraft Operational Status Message (Airborne) | N/A | YES | YES |
| Aircraft Operational Status Message (Surface) | N/A | YES | YES |
Mode-S Message
Sky Observer is capable to process the following types of Mode-S messages.
| Downlink Format | Fields | Status |
|---|---|---|
| DF-0 | VS, AC, AP | YES |
| DF-4 | FS, DR, UM, AC, AP | YES |
| DF-5 | FS, DR, UM, ID, AP | YES |
| DF-11 | CA, AA, PI | YES |
| DF-16 | VS, AC, MV, AP | YES |
| DF-17 | CA, AA, ME, PI | YES |
| DF-18 | CF, AA, ME, PI | YES |
| DF-19 | AF, AA, ME, PI | YES |
| DF-20 | AC, MB, AP | YES |
| DF-21 | ID, MB, AP | YES |
