The basics
ADS-B is the first core technology within NextGen, the ongoing program to increase the efficiency, capacity and safety of the world?s airspace systems.
ADS-B is an Air Traffic Management (ATM) Surveillance system that will replace traditional radar-based systems. It provides greater accuracy and wider coverage to safely allow reduced separation, more efficient routing and other benefits.
ADS-B is like a large wireless network - the ground stations are Wireless Access Points and the aircraft are Clients.
Aircraft report their own position via the network and receive weather, traffic and other information from the ground network and other aircraft.
Computers on the ground integrate all the information for comprehensive views of the airspace for pilots and controllers.
Aircraft only need an approved WAAS GPS as the high-integrity ADS-B position source and an ADS-B Out datalink radio. Aircraft owners can choose to keep or replace their current transponder. ADS-B In receivers are optional but enable valuable weather and traffic data services.

ADS-B is part of NextGen
NextGen is the name for a multi-faceted program to increase the efficiency, capacity and safety of the world?s Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems. ADS-B, or Automatic Surveillance Surveillance-Broadcast, is the first core technology program within NextGen. It is one of several ATM Surveillance technologies that shift air traffic control from expensive 70-year-old radar technology to a sophisticated network of airborne-, ground- and satellite-based systems.*
ATM encompasses three main areas: Communications, Navigation and Surveillance. ADS-B is significantly more accurate than surveillance radar because aircraft positions are updated once - per-second vs. between 4 and 12 seconds for radar. Radar also is subject to range limitations and shadowing caused by natural and manmade obstructions. The 800 relatively low-cost ADS-B ground stations in the U.S. provide comprehensive national coverage.

Proven in Real-World Flying
ADS-B has been rigorously tested for over a decade in both ordinary and extraordinarily challenging real-world conditions. ADS-B makes flying more efficient, more economical, environmentally friendlier and safer.

The FTX-200 and FTX-250 are highly cost-effective 1090ES ADS-B Transponders with integrated GPS giving business jet owners significantly improved flexibility for meeting NextGen equipage requirements worldwide. Designed for turbofan-powered aircraft that can operate up to FL550, the systems are high-performance, practical alternatives to prohibitively expensive ADS-B upgrades otherwise required in many Part 25 jets.

Both TCAS I-compatible systems include an approved ADS-B transponder and an integrated 15-channel WAAS GPS/SBAS sensor as the rule-compliant high-integrity position source. The FTX-250 includes an ADS-B datalink receiver to enable FIS-B weather display and text, along with traffic on tablets.