SecureTrack Developer Guide

This guide provides documentation and examples for using the SeRo Systems SecureTrack API. The API is based on gRPC and Protocol Buffers and provides live access to target reports, raw Mode S downlink frames, and sensor information.

Overview

• SecureTrack API Reference: public gRPC API at api.secureadsb.com:4201 for sensor information, target reports, and raw Mode S downlink frames.

Note

SecureTrack uses TLS for server authentication and encryption. Every request also needs a valid token. See Transport Layer Security and Authentication.

Getting Started

To use the API from your application:

1. Get a SecureTrack API token from your SeRo Systems point of contact. See Authentication.

2. Download SeRoAPI.proto and ca.crt from this guide. See Protocol Buffer Definition and Transport Layer Security.

3. Generate language-specific bindings with protoc or your build tool. See Prerequisites or SecureTrack Java API.

4. Connect to api.secureadsb.com:4201 using gRPC over TLS. See gRPC and Protocol Buffers.

5. Call GetSensorInfo first to discover the sensors associated with your token, then subscribe to the stream you need. See Sensor Information.

Language-specific setup instructions are available for Python and Java.

Tip

Want to prototype quickly? Use the LLM bundle to generate client code with an LLM. It includes the API contract, certificate, setup patterns, streaming behavior, and gotchas.

Changelog

2026-06-08

• Polished and updated the documentation for language, structure, and current examples.

• Added a dedicated LLM guide and downloadable LLM bundle.

• Expanded the API reference, language guides, and use-case workflows.

2024-06-21

• Use TLS

• Fixed API address in AsynchronousExample java code

2023-11-28

• Revision of the documentation

• Cleaned up comments in proto file

• Added use cases

2023-01-12

• Added horizontal reference direction field for surface heading to ADS-B vectors

• Added fields for category set and code within set to ADS-B vector

• Fixed some comments:

  • Corrected unit of turn angle in MLAT Vector to degrees per second

  • Removed mentioning of Comm-B

Use Cases

• Example Use Cases
  • Building a Virtual Radar
  • Get Your Receivers’ GPS Locations
  • Collect Mode S Data for Certain Transponders
  • Target-Specific Monitoring
  • Handling High-Volume Streams

API Reference

• SecureTrack API Reference
• Authentication
  • Token Handling
• Sensor Information
  • Request Filtering
  • GNSS Information
• Target Reports
  • Request Filters
  • Response Contents
  • Optional Fields
  • Typical Uses
• Mode S Downlink Frames
  • Request Filters
  • Response Contents
  • Reception Metadata
  • Typical Uses
• Streaming Behavior
  • Dropped Counters
• Protocol Buffer Definition

Protocol and Transport

• gRPC Interface
  • How gRPC Works
  • Generating Language Bindings
  • Service Overview
  • Transport Layer Security
  • Token Authentication
  • Further Reading
  • Protocol Buffers Definition

Language Guides

• Python
  • Prerequisites
  • Step 1: Set Up a Virtual Environment
  • Step 2: Install Dependencies
  • Step 3: Generate Python Bindings
  • Step 4: Connect and Use the API
  • Further Reading
  • Examples
• Java
  • Prerequisites
  • Step 1: Create a Maven Project
  • Step 2: Generate Java Bindings
  • Step 3: Build Your Project
  • Javadoc
  • Step 4: Connect and Use the API
  • Graceful Shutdown
  • Further Reading
  • Examples
• LLM Guide
  • LLM Bundle
  • How to Use It
  • Recommended First Prompt
  • Example Prompts
  • Tips for Better Results