SIGNAL PATH

A free ADS-B puzzle game: learn how ADS-B works by getting the right signals to your Stratux.

How to play

You fly the orange box, an airplane carrying a Stratux receiver. Each level is a small map with traffic, terrain and ground-station sites. Build towers, climb or descend, fly to another waypoint, or change your ADS-B Out until every required aircraft shows up on your display. Finish in par moves for three stars. Your score is levels cleared times stars earned, and a fresh generated daily puzzle, always checked by a solver to be solvable, appears every day.

• Chapter 1, air-to-air: direct reception on 1090 and 978 MHz.
• Chapter 2, ground stations: FIS-B weather and tower range.
• Chapter 3, ADS-R and TIS-B: how ground stations bridge the two bands and show non-ADS-B traffic.
• Chapter 4, real-world challenges: terrain, altitude and distance.

ADS-B facts the game teaches

Aircraft with ADS-B Out broadcast their GPS position on 1090 MHz (1090ES) or 978 MHz (UAT). UAT is a US-only option below 18,000 ft, while Class A airspace requires 1090ES. Ground stations broadcast FIS-B weather on 978 MHz to anyone in range, with no ADS-B Out needed. They also send ADS-R, which rebroadcasts traffic between the two bands, and TIS-B, which shows radar targets that have no ADS-B Out. Those two services go to aircraft the ground station hears transmitting Out, in a "puck" roughly 15 NM in radius and 3,500 ft above and below. All of it is line of sight, so terrain and altitude matter.

Frequently asked questions

How does ADS-B work?

An aircraft with ADS-B Out broadcasts its GPS position, altitude and speed about once a second. Aircraft and ground stations within line of sight receive it directly. For the full story, read how ADS-B works.

What is the difference between FIS-B, TIS-B and ADS-R?

FIS-B is weather and flight information on 978 MHz. TIS-B sends radar targets for aircraft that have no ADS-B Out. ADS-R rebroadcasts ADS-B traffic from one band to the other.

Do I need ADS-B Out to get ADS-B weather?

No. FIS-B is open to any 978 MHz receiver with line of sight to a ground station, and a Stratux picks it up with no Out of its own.

Is SIGNAL PATH accurate?

It follows the real US rules for FIS-B, TIS-B and ADS-R, but simplifies distances and propagation. Each square is about 5 NM and ranges are fixed. Every chapter explainer notes what is simplified.

More games

Tower Hunt · Squawk 1200 · Squawkle · Pattern · All Stratux Arcade games