Plain English Meaning

Modern air traffic control radar that doesn't just show blips on a screen. The computer attaches a label to each aircraft showing who it is, how high it is, and how fast it's going, and it helps the controller keep aircraft safely apart.

Full Definition

Air traffic control radar equipment that uses computer processing to automatically track aircraft, display identifying data tags alongside each radar return, and apply separation logic. These systems combine primary radar (which detects aircraft by reflected signal) and secondary surveillance radar (which interrogates aircraft transponders) and present the controller with a processed display showing aircraft position, altitude, identity, ground speed, and other .