Where History Whispers, The Future Sings
The aviation industry relies heavily on systems like ADS-B to track aircraft positions and status, playing a critical role in ensuring safety and efficiency. However, traditional ADS-B models, often dominated by centralized entities, face significant challenges such as high costs, limited scalability, and restricted participation. These limitations hinder innovation and accessibility, leaving gaps in global coverage.
Enter the Derad Network, a community-driven initiative inspired by the principles of the Bazaar model, as described in Eric S. Raymond’s The Cathedral and the Bazaar. The author eloquently discusses two schools of thought in the development of software. The first is the Cathedral, which stands for a closed and monolithic system because everything happens behind a closed door. The second is the Bazaar, which is open and where communities are encouraged to participate.
The Derad Network perfectly fits within the Bazaar model. It enables people to build their own ground stations and distribute data, making it open and decentralized. This type of participatory model encourages creativity and enables quick growth — anybody can take part without the restrictions of conventional profit-based models.
In contrast, the Cathedral model that many mainstream ADS-B providers operate within often limits participation primarily to those who own or control the system. The cathedral model is based on huge amounts of capital and controlling the processes which in most cases hinders innovation and development.
In this case, by adhering to the spirit of Bazaar, the Derad Network not only improves the coverage of ADS-B but strengthens the community as well. Trust is formed through activity, sharing of resources, and openness, consequently allowing a strong and flexible network to the needs of aviation safety.
The Current Landscape of ADS-B Models: The Need for New Models
Currently, there are two main different models: Cardinal (traditional) and Bazaar (community-based). As we mentioned above, the traditional model is used by companies. The community-based model is mostly adopted by enthusiasts and hobbyists.
There are some existing community-driven approaches to ADS-B today. These models are scalable but not reliable enough and future-proof. In these models, members of specific organizations run DIY/small ground stations on their properties. The main drawbacks of these models are that they lack a clear business model, fail to meet aviation authority standards, and are often not seen as reliable enough for widespread use in aviation. This model is mostly a hobby rather than a product or business, lacking a zero-trust approach.
The Derad Network: A Step Beyond the Bazaar
The Derad Network refines the Bazaar model with meaningful improvements. In this system, community members own and operate all ground stations, creating a fully decentralized infrastructure. The Derad Network does not own any land, rent, or devices. Instead, the Derad Network provides an incentivized mechanism, software support, and a DAO for users who want to support ADS-B coverage and create passive income. For this, they only need to install the software provided by the Derad Network on any device capable of receiving signals from 1090 MHz and sending that data via TCP. Setting up a this kind of ground station is remarkably simple and cost-effective. A $5 antenna can receive a wide range of signals, including 1090 MHz ADS-B. A $15 Raspberry Pi Zero has enough power to process and send that data to Derad Network. This low barrier to entry encourages widespread participation while maintaining high functionality.
Pioneering a Collaborative Future for Aviation Networks
The Derad Network is more than just a community-driven ADS-B solution; it is a blueprint for the future of aviation safety. By combining the openness of the Bazaar model with strategic enhancements, the network addresses critical challenges in scalability, reliability, and incentivization.
This approach not only improves ADS-B coverage but also creates new opportunities for community members to contribute meaningfully while earning passive income. With its focus on decentralization, collaboration, and innovation, the Derad Network demonstrates that technology can solve real-world problems without the constraints of conventional models.
As the network grows, its participatory framework will continue to evolve, unlocking new possibilities for aviation safety and beyond. By empowering individuals and fostering community-driven innovation, the Derad Network is truly building a safer, more connected world.
