I developed a sophisticated real-time tracking system that monitors aircraft and rockets using ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) technology. This project combines aviation tracking with advanced GPS navigation capabilities, making it perfect for both tracking flights overhead and navigating off-road terrain. The system features a custom-built graphical user interface that displays live aircraft positions, flight paths, and detailed telemetry data in real-time.
ADS-B is the same technology used by air traffic control systems worldwide. Aircraft equipped with ADS-B transponders broadcast their position, altitude, velocity, and identification every second. My tracker receives these signals using an SDR (Software Defined Radio) and processes them to display comprehensive flight information. The system can track hundreds of aircraft simultaneously within a 200+ mile radius, providing real-time visualization on an interactive radar display.
Live aircraft tracking with ADS-B data visualization and GPS navigation interface
The tracker integrates multiple technologies to provide a comprehensive monitoring solution. The ADS-B receiver captures signals on 1090 MHz, decodes the data packets, and feeds them into my custom C++ application. The GUI displays aircraft on a map with real-time updates, showing flight numbers, altitudes, speeds, and trajectories. The integrated GPS system provides precise location tracking for ground navigation, making it invaluable for off-road adventures or field operations.
ADS-B is a surveillance technology where aircraft determine their position via satellite navigation and periodically broadcast it. This allows them to be tracked without requiring ground-based radar. The system operates on two frequencies:
My system focuses on 1090 MHz signals, which provide global coverage and include the majority of commercial air traffic. Each ADS-B message contains:
Beyond aircraft tracking, the system includes a robust GPS navigation module designed for off-road terrain. This feature is particularly useful for:
The GPS system uses NMEA 0183 protocol to communicate with GPS receivers, providing real-time position updates with sub-meter accuracy when using differential GPS corrections.
The graphical interface is built using Qt, providing a responsive and intuitive user experience. The main components include:
#include <QApplication>
#include <QMainWindow>
#include "adsb_decoder.hpp"
#include "gps_handler.hpp"
#include "radar_display.hpp"
class TrackerWindow : public QMainWindow {
Q_OBJECT
private:
ADSBDecoder* adsbDecoder;
GPSHandler* gpsHandler;
RadarDisplay* radarWidget;
// Aircraft tracking data
QMap<QString, AircraftData> trackedAircraft;
public:
TrackerWindow(QWidget *parent = nullptr) : QMainWindow(parent) {
// Initialize ADS-B decoder
adsbDecoder = new ADSBDecoder(this);
connect(adsbDecoder, &ADSBDecoder::aircraftUpdated,
this, &TrackerWindow::onAircraftUpdate);
// Initialize GPS handler
gpsHandler = new GPSHandler(this);
connect(gpsHandler, &GPSHandler::positionUpdated,
this, &TrackerWindow::onGPSUpdate);
// Setup radar display
radarWidget = new RadarDisplay(this);
setCentralWidget(radarWidget);
// Start receiving
adsbDecoder->startReceiving();
gpsHandler->startTracking();
}
private slots:
void onAircraftUpdate(const AircraftData& aircraft) {
trackedAircraft[aircraft.icao] = aircraft;
radarWidget->updateAircraft(trackedAircraft);
}
void onGPSUpdate(const GPSPosition& position) {
radarWidget->updateCenterPosition(position);
}
};
int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
QApplication app(argc, argv);
TrackerWindow tracker;
tracker.setWindowTitle("ADS-B Tracker");
tracker.resize(1200, 800);
tracker.show();
return app.exec();
}
This project demonstrates:
Building this ADS-B tracker provided deep insights into aviation systems, radio frequency technology, and real-time data processing. The combination of aircraft tracking and GPS navigation creates a versatile tool useful for both aviation monitoring and ground-based navigation in remote areas.