Integration

An open-source implementation of the ADEX software has been developed to support both clients (e.g. DAA systems, FIDs, UTMs) and servers (e.g. ADS-B, FLARM, UAT sensors and data servers). The software is packaged as a standalone executable that can be installed directly onto the host system with minimal setup, and is designed to operate in diverse operational environments including embedded, tower-based, and remote field deployments, as well as the cloud.

ADEX software exposes a set of common integration interfaces (via standard input/output/error, local APIs, and message brokers) to allow seamless interaction with the host application. On the server side, this includes ingesting data from local sensors and broadcasting telemetry; on the client side, it supports subscribing to and validating incoming feeds in real time.

Each ADEX participant (client or server), is assigned a unique public identity during registration, managed via the ADEX Directory Service. Clients query the directory to discover suitable servers based on parameters such as geographic coverage, latency, integrity, and availability. Once a match is found, the client initiates a direct, authenticated connection with the server.

All communications are established over encrypted point-to-point links, using cryptographic key exchange and mutual authentication to ensure integrity and confidentiality. Server IP addresses and endpoint metadata are shared through the directory service as part of the discovery process, enabling clients to initiate secure and policy-compliant connections automatically.

This decentralised integration model eliminates the need for central brokers, reduces latency, and provides system operators with full control over which entities they connect to and how. The ADEX software thus serves as a lightweight but powerful enabler of real-time surveillance data exchange across distributed aviation environments.