¶ DATA WEBSITE SQUAWK FUNCTION
¶
¶ 1.- INTRODUCTION
This document will provide you all the information you need about how the Ivao Squawk server works how to use it and how to populate the database from which it feeds.
You can find and download a PDF version of this article at:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/192rablN-YVkZtWaVV5k36sdjDXtVJgib/view?usp=share_link
¶ 2.- WHAT ARE THE SSR SERIES FOR?
The purpose of the IVAO SSR code Database is to provide SSR codes generated according to ICAO provided assignments on the IVAO Network when requested by ATCO using Aurora. These are added per FIR in the Center section of the DB.
As long as user is using the following setting:
¶ 3.- WHY DO I NEED TO ADD SQUAWKS?
Whenever an ATCO using Aurora clicks on req-SSR button on the flight strip, a code will be assigned by the Ivao servers based on traffic origin and destination. If no information is inserted on the data wbesite, SSR will be completely random.
¶ 4.- HOW DO I ADD THIS INFORMATION?
1. Access data.ivao.aero
2. Click on DATA → Centers and choose the FIR you want to work with. If there are more than one FIRs in your division or country, you will need to do them one by one. Once inside the Center, go down until you see the Squawks area:
3. Insert lines one by one based on your source (HCSM Mogadishu for this example):
Or add all the conditions on the .csv file to import in one go:
¶ 5.- WHAT DO THE DIFFERENT FIELDS DO?
Origin – AD. of origin. Valid values:
4 letter ICAO code or subdivisions (Partial icao codes: E will match E***, ED will match ED**
and so on, EDDM will only match EDDM).
ALL for any airport of origin : for example transits and arrival
Destination – AD. of destination. Valid values:
4 letter ICAO code or subdivisions (Partial icao codes: E will match E***, ED will match
ED**... EDDM will only match EDDM).
ALL for any destination airport.
Order – Not currently in use.
Flight Rules – Determines if the SSR range is to be used for VFR or IFR traffic. Two lines will be required if the SSR range is used by both.
Military? – Determines if the SSR range is to be assigned to traffic who sent an FPL marked as military.
Min Squawk – Lowest SSR code that will be assigned. (If your range is 7100-7177 use 7100)
Max Squawk – Numerically highest SSR code that will be assigned. (If your range is 7100-7177 use 7177).
All values between min and Max will be assigned randomly per ATC station, no duplicate checks done by server (By Aurora, per client, no coordination).
¶ 6.- WHAT FACTORS AFFECT SSR ASSIGNMENT? WHAT´S THE LOGIC?
Whenever you hit the “Req SSR” button, our Web will compare the flightplan of the aircraft with the SSRs lines present in our Database. This is what happens behind the scene:
¶ Step 1 : Filter all lines that match the Flight Rules/Military for that FPL.
¶ Step 2 : Filter those lines that match the Origin on 4 letters.
¶ Step 3 : Filter the lines from Step 2 that match Destination on 4 letters
¶ Step 4 : If some lines are left, go to step X, else try again Step 3 with 3, 2, 1 letters and then ALL
¶ Step 5 : If still no lines are found, go back to step 2 and try again with 3, 2, 1 letters and then ALL match on Origin
¶ Step 6 : If, after testing all combinations, still nothing is found, generate a full random squawk
¶ Step X : From the matched lines found in steps 2 & 3 : Choose a random one and then choose a random squawk from it
Example :
We request the server a Squawk code for a flightplan: EDDS -> EDXX will check in this order:
EDDS->EDXX
EDDS->EDX
EDDS->ED
EDDS->E
EDDS->ALL
EDD->EDXX
EDD->EDX
EDD->ED
EDD->E
EDD->ALL
ED->EDXX
ED->EDX
ED->ED
ED->E
ED->ALL
E->EDXX
E->EDX
E->ED
E->E
E->ALL
ALL->EDDX
ALL->EDD
ALL->ED
ALL->E
ALL->ALL
Random
¶ 7.- PRACTICAL EXAMPLE:
Let´s take a look at the Squawk lines inserted for UTTR Tashkent:
In the table above we can see the SSRs under Tashkent FIR in Uzbekistan.
Whenever we are online as an ATC position and we use the Request SSR code button:
System will first check whether our traffic is flying VFR or IFR and Civ/Mil. Then, the system will search all lines matching flight rules and Civ/Mil status. Among those lines matching the conditions, if the traffic in question is flying domestically, from UTN* to UTN* and is flying under IFR, server will assign a code between 0100 and 0177 randomly, no matter if the code has already been assigned.
If traffic did not originate from UTN*, system will check if traffic departed from UT** and if still no match, server will move on to the last row: Assigning a transit code 2040-2077 to the aircraft.
If we had a line such as:
This range would only apply to traffic departing from an AD. starting with TA** to TRPG. E.g.:
Aircraft from TADO to TRPG.
¶ 8.- CAN I UPLOAD THIS INFORMATION IN BULK?
Yes you can:
Here is the file where you can preload your SSR codes. There is an example for some Caribbean airports already on the file, make sure to remove them and replace with your own info.
(You will need to use your Ivao e-mail account to see the file).
¶ 9.- I CAN’T ACCESS ALLOCATED SSR INFORMATION, WHAT DO I DO?
SSR Codes are allocated to countries by ICAO. If not on your AIP you can find these values in ICAO´s publication libraries per region. Eurocontrol publishes their own material for SSR´s in its area.
You can also check using FR24, Radarbox, LiveATC… and other online flight tracking services.
If in doubt contact ATC Operations and we will be happy to help.
¶
10.- WHAT ABOUT SSR CODE 1000?
Mode S conspicuity code A1000 can be assigned to aircraft with mode S capability flying in airspaces able to correlate flight plan information using aircraft ID instead of a discrete 4 digit mode A code. While Aurora can always show flight plan information when code 1000 is assigned this code is not valid for all flights and should not be used unless applicable.
Only for Mode S Declared Airspace and Aerodromes.
For further information on this topic:
https://www.eurocontrol.int/sites/default/files/2019-04/surveillance-mode-s-els-ops-manual-ed-1.0-20110102.pdf
Starting on page Nº10 and on.
¶ 11.- WHAT ABOUT AREAS WHERE NO SURVEILLANCE SERVICE IS PROVIDED?
You can inform ATC in your division about the use of code 2000 or insert this into the data website. This an example from Nadi FIR (In the Pacific ocean). Traffic departing to North and South America will be assigned code 2000:
¶ 12.- I HAVE A QUESTION THAT IS NOT LISTED…
No problem, I’m sure we can find an answer to it. Email HQ ATC Ops at atcops@ivao.aero and we will either give you the answer or find out from someone who does!