Necto Aviation
Independent ATM & Surveillance Validation
ED-116 SMR Validation
Verify surface movement radar performance with ED-116 validation
ED-116 SMR validation verifies the true performance of the surface movement radar systems in operational airport environments. Even when the A-SMGCS display appears stable, underlying radar performance can still degrade. ED-116 testing isolates the radar itself, exposing issues in detection, coverage, timing and stability. Independent on-site testing provides clear, measurable insight into actual SMR performance and long-term reliability.
Who this is for
Airport authorities, ANSPs, and A-SMGCS system owners who require independent verification of SMR performance, both during operational use and during upgrade validation phases. Radar performance can change over time due to equipment ageing, maintenance activities, airport layout changes, or new buildings and other local developments that affect the surveillance environment.
Why this ED-116 analysis
ED-116 SMR validation confirms that radar performance remains aligned with the agreed standard baseline in the operational environment. Independent analysis helps identify drift, degraded tracking, clutter, coverage issues, or timing inconsistencies that may develop over time.
Scope note:
Multiple surface movement radars can be assessed in a single engagement. We can perform analysis on one or several SMRs in parallel, depending on the airport layout and operational constraints. We perform site tests only. These confirm that the surface movement radar behaves as expected in the operational environment and within the A‑SMGCS architecture. Measurements focus on actual field performance, calibration state, and potential drift over time. No component, factory, or laboratory testing is included.
What we test for ED-116
We perform the applicable on-site elements of ED-116 Chapter 6.4 (Performance tests) to verify the surface movement radar performance under real operational conditions. These tests verify how the surface movement radar performs in the operational airport environment and within the A-SMGCS system. The following ED-116 performance tests are included in our on-site validation scope:
● 6.4.1 Detection sensitivity test
● 6.4.2 Data renewal rate test
● 6.4.3 Target dynamics test
● 6.4.4 Displacement detection test
● 6.4.5 Target classification test
● 6.4.6 Target discrimination test
● 6.4.7 False target report test
● 6.4.8 Identification of reflection areas
● 6.4.9 Position accuracy test
● 6.4.11 Continuity of coverage test
●6.4.10 Processing delay test i
A full ED-116 analysis requires dedicated test activity on the airfield and therefore introduces a temporary operational burden. The Necto Quick Check offers a lighter first step, using normal operational data to quickly assess whether surveillance performance appears consistent or if further investigation may be required.
How we work
● Intake – review of site configuration, radar setup, system interfaces, and operational context to define the ED-116 validation scope.
● Test planning – translation of ED-116 performance requirements into measurable parameters, aligned with available data streams and operational constraints.
● Execution – on-site measurement and data capture under live operational conditions. We ingest Asterix CAT10 radar data directly and deploy dedicated test equipment to assess the SMR performance independently from A-SMGCS processing. This ensures that detection behaviour, timing, and coverage are evaluated at sensor level.
● Reporting – clear, structured results with direct traceability to ED-116 performance requirements.
Deliverables
The results are delivered through an interactive online report, clearly showing ED-116 SMR validation outcomes and radar performance metrics. Each applicable ED-parameter is presented with a clear pass/fail indication and linked measurement evidence, allowing the results to be reviewed in a transparent and traceable way.
The report includes a concise summary statement of conformity, providing an overall view of the radar’s performance relative to the ED-116 requirements.
Any deviations identified during the analysis are documented individually and accompanied by a proposed remediation approach, allowing operators to address potential issues and plan appropriate follow-up actions.
Standards and references
We test either directly against EUROCAE ED-116 or the equivalent sections of ETSI EN 303 213-4-1 (surface movement radar performance). The reference baseline is agreed at kickoff, with a traceable mapping maintained in the project log.
Timeline and pricing
A typical ED-116 campaign includes approximately two weeks of preparation, one week of on-site testing and a further two weeks for analysis and reporting.
The required effort depends on the number of radars involved, the airport layout and the operational environment. In many cases, several radars can be covered within the same campaign.
ED-116 validation can be performed as a standalone activity or in combination with ED-87 A-SMGCS analysis and ED-117 MLAT validation.
A tailored proposal is prepared for each project, based on the local context and selected modules. Please contact us for further discussion.
Questions about radar performance validation?
ED-116 examines the behaviour of the surface movement radar. ED-87 evaluates how the complete A-SMGCS performs once radar and other surveillance inputs are integrated.
Not every airport relies solely on radar surveillance. ED-117 focuses on multilateration (MLAT) systems, analysing how time-difference based tracking performs across the movement area.
Considering an ED-116 radar validation or a broader surveillance review? We would be happy to discuss your situation.