Honeywell has upgraded its Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) to include Change 7.1 standard, and Honeywell is the first to include ADS-B technology, providing pilots with previously unavailable air traffic information, according to the company. Honeywell's TPA-100B Traffic Computer improves situational awareness, safety, and efficiency in high-density airspace by providing a clear course of action if a mid-air collision presents itself and improving tracking of other traffic through the use of ADS-B enhanced Hybrid Surveillance. This upgrade meets the recommendation of the Association of European Airlines as a global safety update for all TCAS systems.
"Honeywell's upgrade is the first in the industry to include both TCAS Change 7.1 and Hybrid Surveillance functionality, which utilize ADS-B technology to support air traffic modernization efforts," said TK Kallenbach, Honeywell Vice President of Product Management. "Airlines can upgrade now with Honeywell, avoiding an expensive upgrade later and staying ahead of possible regulatory actions. This software will serve as an enabler to other future technologies, including more advanced ADS-B functions." Hybrid Surveillance reduces 1090 MHz frequency congestion, which is critical to future air traffic modernization efforts because it reduces the TCAS interrogation rate, freeing up bandwidth for future ADS-B applications. Additionally, hybrid ADS-B technology improves the tracking of other aircraft to improve overall situational awareness.
The TPA-100B is also being updated to support Airbus's Airborne Situational Awareness (ATSAW) capability. Honeywell's Change 7.1 will be TSO certified and available in February 2010 as a simple software upgrade for most systems, and will be available in a common part number to minimize spares costs. No wiring modifications are needed to equipment or aircraft. Global aviation authorities are considering whether to mandate Change 7.1 software in place of TCAS Change 7.0.