RTCA DO-260B-2009 (2011) PDF

Full title and description

Minimum Operational Performance Standards for 1090 MHz Extended Squitter Automatic Dependent Surveillance — Broadcast (ADS‑B) and Traffic Information Services — Broadcast (TIS‑B) (RTCA DO‑260B, originally issued 2 December 2009; with Corrigendum 1 issued 13 December 2011). This document defines the message formats, RF and protocol characteristics, performance and integrity requirements, and test procedures for 1090 MHz Mode S Extended Squitter (1090ES) ADS‑B and associated TIS‑B services used for surveillance and traffic information.

Abstract

DO‑260B specifies Minimum Operational Performance Standards (MOPS) for airborne 1090 MHz Extended Squitter ADS‑B and TIS‑B equipment. It updates and supersedes previous DO‑260/A guidance by standardizing extended squitter message formats, integrity and latency requirements, RF transmitter characteristics, and test methods so that deployed avionics can interoperate with ATC and ADS‑B ground systems worldwide. The published DO‑260B release includes Corrigendum 1 (December 13, 2011) which corrects errata and clarifies procedures without changing the normative requirements.

General information

• Status: Historical (DO‑260B was superseded by DO‑260C in 2020; DO‑260B remains a referenced baseline for many 1090ES implementations and for items fielded prior to DO‑260C).
• Publication date: DO‑260B issued 2 December 2009; Corrigendum 1 issued 13 December 2011 (Corrigendum is commonly incorporated into the DO‑260B distribution as published December 2011).
• Publisher: RTCA, Inc. (prepared by RTCA SC‑186). DO‑260B was developed in parallel with related EUROCAE work (ED‑102A equivalence is widely referenced).
• ICS / categories: Avionics / aeronautical telecommunications / surveillance systems (ADS‑B, Mode S, 1090 MHz).
• Edition / version: Edition B (DO‑260B, December 2009) — commonly distributed with Corrigendum 1 (December 2011) incorporated.
• Number of pages: DO‑260B with Corrigendum 1 is commonly listed at approximately 1,446 pages (full consolidated publication).

Scope

DO‑260B defines the MOPS for airborne 1090ES ADS‑B and TIS‑B transmitters and associated airborne system behaviours needed for surveillance and broadcast traffic services. The scope covers message content and coding (airborne and surface position, identification, velocity, status), position integrity and encoding, RF characteristics and classes, timing and latency limits, self‑test and failure annunciation, and verification/test procedures to demonstrate compliance with performance requirements for safe use in ATC and traffic services.

Key topics and requirements

• 1090ES extended squitter message formats and field encodings (airborne position, surface position, identification, velocity, status, emergency codes).
• Position source requirements, integrity encoding and time‑to‑alert constraints (requirements on GNSS inputs and encoding of integrity indicators).
• RF transmitter classes, peak output power and emission characteristics for different aircraft classes and flight envelopes.
• Latency, update rates, and sputtering/duplication handling necessary for ATC use.
• Performance test procedures, laboratory and flight test methods, and pass/fail criteria for MOPS verification.
• Interoperability considerations with TIS‑B and ground surveillance systems and guidance for conforming to ICAO Annex 10 conventions.

Typical use and users

Manufacturers of transponders and ADS‑B avionics, certification authorities, avionics installers, system integrators, airlines, and national aviation authorities use DO‑260B for design, testing and certification of 1090ES ADS‑B equipment and installations. Aerospace engineers and test laboratories use the MOPS when developing avionics to meet ADS‑B mandates and international interoperability requirements.

Related standards

DO‑260B is part of the DO/ED family for surveillance and navigation. Related documents include the original DO‑260 and DO‑260A, RTCA DO‑282B (UAT ADS‑B MOPS) and later DO‑260C (2020) which superseded DO‑260B. It also aligns with EUROCAE ED‑102A and ICAO Annex 10 Volume IV provisions for ADS‑B/TIS‑B interoperability. Other associated guidance includes RTCA test and installation documents, FAA TSO references (e.g., TSO‑C166b references DO‑260B), and regional regulatory mandates that reference DO‑260B or its successors.

Keywords

DO‑260B, ADS‑B, 1090ES, Extended Squitter, TIS‑B, MOPS, RTCA, ED‑102A, Mode S, transponder, avionics, surveillance, GNSS integrity, TSO C166b.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: RTCA DO‑260B is a Minimum Operational Performance Standard (MOPS) that specifies how airborne 1090 MHz Extended Squitter ADS‑B and TIS‑B equipment must format messages, perform, and be tested to interoperate with air traffic surveillance and traffic broadcast services.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers message formats and encodings, RF transmitter characteristics and classes, position and integrity requirements for GNSS inputs, latency and update rate constraints, failure annunciation, and test procedures (laboratory and flight) required to demonstrate compliance. Corrigendum 1 (December 13, 2011) corrected editorial issues and clarified test procedures without changing normative requirements.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Avionics manufacturers, certification authorities, airlines, installers, integrators, and test laboratories — essentially anyone designing, certifying or installing 1090ES ADS‑B/TIS‑B equipment or verifying compliance with ADS‑B mandates.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: DO‑260B (2009, with Corrigendum 1 in 2011) is a historic edition; it was superseded by DO‑260C (published December 2020). Operators and manufacturers generally follow the most recent applicable MOPS (DO‑260C) for new equipment, though DO‑260B remains relevant for legacy installations and historical certification records.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — DO‑260B is the B‑edition in the DO‑260 series of documents (DO‑260, DO‑260A, DO‑260B, DO‑260C). It was developed alongside related standards such as DO‑282B for UAT and cross‑referenced with EUROCAE ED‑102A and ICAO material.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: ADS‑B, 1090ES, Extended Squitter, TIS‑B, MOPS, RTCA DO‑260B, ED‑102A, Mode S, transponder, GNSS integrity, TSO C166b.