System and method for verifying ADS-B messages

A first aircraft comprising a system for verifying Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) messages received from other aircraft, the first aircraft comprising;

• an ADS-B system, the ADS-B system including a display screen;
• a Mode S transponder;
• a receiver unit to demodulate and decode signals received from the Mode S transponder, wherein the receiver unit determines a type of message received and then extracts information from each type of message, the types of message being an ADS-B message, a request message, and a response message;
• and
• a processor unit in signal communication with the receiver unit, wherein the processor unit is configured to perform operations, the operations including:
• in response to a determination that first information extracted from a first ADS-B message is not sufficient to enable performance of telemetry calculations associated with a second aircraft in an ADS-B range of the ADS-B system, broadcasting a first request message for additional information to additional aircraft in the ADS-B range;
• receiving additional information responsive to the first request message, wherein the first information and the additional information are sufficient to enable performance of the telemetry calculations;
• determining a position of the second aircraft based on the first information and the additional information, wherein the first information and the additional information are sufficient to enable performance of the telemetry calculations;
• comparing the position of the second aircraft with a claimed position of the second aircraft in the first ADS-B message to determine whether the ADS-B message is TRUTHFUL or UNTRUTHFUL;
• and
• generating a visual representation indicating whether the ADS-B message is TRUTHFUL or UNTRUTHFUL, the visual representation displayed to the display screen.

A method of verifying Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) messages received by an aircraft having an ADS-B system, the method comprising:

• demodulating and decoding at least one signal received at a Mode S transponder of the ADS-B system of the aircraft, the at least one signal received from a second aircraft;
• determining that the at least one signal corresponds to an ADS-B message from the second aircraft in response to demodulation and decoding of the at least one signal;
• extracting information from the ADS-B message;
• in response to a determination that the information is not sufficient to enable performance of telemetry calculations, broadcasting a request message for additional information to additional airborne aircraft in range of the ADS-B system;
• receiving additional information responsive to the request message, wherein the information and the additional information are sufficient to enable performance of the telemetry calculations;
• determining a position of the second aircraft based on the information and the additional information;
• comparing the position of the second aircraft with a claimed position of the second aircraft in the ADS-B message to determine whether the ADS-B message is TRUTHFUL or UNTRUTHFUL;
• and
• generating a visual representation indicating whether the ADS-B message is TRUTHFUL or UNTRUTHFUL, the visual representation displayed at a screen that is accessible to a flight crew of the aircraft.