ADS-B · aircraft
Aircraft equipped with ADS-B broadcast position and other flight information. A suitable 1090 MHz receiver and decoder can provide aircraft data to Layer400.
Connect an aircraft feed →The signals, explainedDrone Remote ID
Drone Remote ID
and aircraft ADS-B.
Aircraft ADS-B and drone Remote ID use different radio equipment and carry different information. Learn what each broadcast can tell you, how it reaches Layer400 and why some traffic may not appear.
Aircraft & drones
Know what you’re listening for.
Remote ID · drones
Compatible drones broadcast identification and flight information over supported radio modes. Layer400’s current public release supports qualified Wi-Fi Remote ID reception.
Check Remote ID hardware →A closer look
Different radios. Different results.
| Aircraft ADS-B | Drone Remote ID | |
|---|---|---|
| Source | An aircraft’s ADS-B equipment. | A drone or Remote ID broadcast module. |
| Receiver input | Dedicated SDR/decoder or a compatible existing aircraft feed. | Supported dedicated capture hardware and radio mode. |
| Local conditions | Antenna, terrain, aircraft height and radio visibility affect reception. | Radio mode, obstructions, interference and distance affect reception. |
| What not to assume | Every aircraft transmits usable ADS-B positions. | Every drone broadcasts Remote ID, or every Bluetooth/Wi-Fi mode is supported. |
Common questions
The details that matter.
Is this active radar?
No. These receiver inputs listen for broadcasts. They do not illuminate an object with radar or detect every object in the air.
Does a drone need to join Layer400 to be received?
A compatible broadcast can be received independently of a Layer400 account. The receiver owner uses an account to commission the contributing receiver.
Can I identify the person flying a drone?
A broadcast identifier is not automatically a verified person’s identity. Do not treat received identifiers or positions as proof of who is operating a flight.
Should I buy a Bluetooth adapter?
Not for capture with the current public release. Check the current compatibility page before buying hardware; a detected controller is not proof of supported capture.
Remote ID rules depend on where you fly
UK Direct Remote ID, FAA Remote ID and the EU framework share broadcast concepts but have different requirements. See the dated UK guide and US and EU guide for links to the current authorities. A map detection is not a compliance certificate, and missing reception does not prove a violation.
For a practical comparison of radios, identifiers and height fields, read ADS-B versus Remote ID. For an existing station, read how to keep your aircraft feed running alongside Layer400.
Updated 26 September 2026 · Layer400
Explore Layer400
Controller and reference positions
Sign in with a verified free account to see available positions reported through Remote ID. The map distinguishes takeoff/reference, dynamic controller and fixed reference reports. Each has its own reception age; access is associated with your account. Read the data-handling details.