Wide area multilateration (WAM)

{
  "id": "MLC-T-AVN-001116",
  "term": "Wide area multilateration (WAM)",
  "field": "Aviation and air traffic control",
  "definition": "A distributed surveillance technology which may utilize any combination of signals from Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) (Modes A and C) and Mode S transponders, and ADS-B transmissions. Multiple geographically dispersed ground sensors measure the time-of-arrival of the transponder messages. Aircraft position is determined by joint processing of the time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA) measurements computed between a reference and the ground stations' measured time-of-arrival.",
  "abbreviation": "WAM",
  "references": [
    "FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/aviation/wide-area-multilateration-wam/"
}