node-red-contrib-tfr2cot

Requests TFR List for a given state from https://tfr.faa.gov/ and creates cursor-on-target (CoT) polygon messages sent to a Team Awareness Kit (TAK) Server or network

ATAK Screenshots

FAA Website from url in Associated Link field in the TFR / CoT information menu:

SUMMARY

This Node RED sub-flow pulls a list of current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs), and if any exist for the desired / supplied state, it downloads the xml file for each TFR and creates a Team Awareness Kit cursor-on-target (CoT) polygon message and sends it to a TAK Server or TAK network using node-red-contrib-tak and tcp out nodes:

Pre-Requisite

1. Node RED installed and continuously running (See Greg Albrecht's video on how to install Node-Red on Windows.
2. TAK Network, TAK Server, or WinTAK EUD if running Node-RED on windows.

If using a TAK Server (Optional)

1. An open port on your TAK Server using an x509 authorization if you plan to use tls (most secure)
2. A certificates generated by the TAK Server and the TCP node (See Greg Albrecht's video) or here

If sending to DataSync (Optional)

1. You must use the dataSyncSubscription node with all fields either completed (except for recipientID) and/or configure use the correct missionApiPort for your TAK Server (default is 8442)
2. You must add a http request nodes to output #2 for both the dataSyncSubscription and tfr2cot nodes and ONLY configure the following node properties:
   • Method: select " - set by msg.method"
   • Check Enable secure (SSL/TLS) connection, and use exactly the same tls configuration you created or use for your tcp Out node that directly follows your node-red-contrib-tak node output.
3. The properties for the tfr2cot and dataSyncSubscription nodes must match (i.e. be identical where they are common to both nodes)

Example tfr2cot / dataSyncSubscribe nodes diagram:

Example http request node configuration:

LIMITATIONS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

1. TFRs with multiple areas may only pick one area. Future updates will correct this.

2. DATASYNC CONSIDERATIONS:

   • Leaving the Save to DataSync property in the tfr2cot node unchecked with DataSync / TAK Mission, Sender ID, TAK Server URL, TAK Server API Port configured correctly will allow TAK clients / Users that are connected to the TAK Server and currently subscribed to the DataSync mission listed in the DataSync / TAK Missionproperty to receive the CoT messages, however, the CoT messages will NOT be saved to the DataSync Mission.
   • If the Save to DataSync property in the tfr2cot node is checked with the other properties correctly filled in, the CoT Message will be saved to the DataSync mission

   NOTE: Saving the CoT messages to DataSync may present some challenges:

   1. The CoT message will currently not be removed when the TFR is no longer active, which will require someone to manually delete old/stale TFRs from the DataSync mission. Future updates may include a TFR check and send an http put message via the TAK Server Mission API to remove TFRs no longer listed at the FAA TFR website.
   2. Updates and changes over time to the DataSync mission will create a log that may be significantly large and present performance issues.

It is recommended to either:

1. set your TCP Out node to stream to a port created on a TAK Server with an stcp protocol and with filtergroup(s) set to that port to create a TAK Channel, and users may access the feed if by setting the Out Group in the TAK Server's Administrative -> Manage Users page, OR
2. Stream to a port created on a TAK Server with an stcp protocol with the DataSync-related properties in the tfr2cot and dataSyncSubscribe nodes correctly configured with the Save to DataSync property in the tfr2cot node left UNCHECKED.

Either option will require modifying your TAK Server's /opt/tak/CoreConfig.xml file to create an stcp port with or without a tag.

REQUIRED NODES

1. INJECT: The msg.payload should be set to a US state abbreviation (e.g. AZ, CA, NY, etc).
2. node-red-contrib-tak: This node is required to pass the CoT message from this subflow to a TAK Server or EUDs on a network.
3. TCP OUT:
   • TAK Server: If using TLS, check on the SSL / TLS option and create or edit your TLS Configuration, as needed.
   • UDP: This would need to be configured to your vpn settings and requires your Node Red instance to be on the same vpn to multicast to TAK end-user-devices.
4. dataSyncSubscription: (only if sending the CoT messages to a DataSync mission is desired).

For more information on how to set up the network and node-red-contrib-tak nodes, see https://node-red-contrib-tak.readthedocs.io/en/latest/

INSTALLATION:

1. Node RED Import (3 ways)
   1. Paste the ./examples/node-red-contrib-tfr2cot_subflow.json file into to Node-RED into the import dialog.
   2. Import by file using the node-red-contrib-tfr2cot-latest.tgz from Releases
2. Install using npm: npm node-red-contrib-tfr2cot
3. Install in Node-RED admin site using the Manage Palette menu option, click on the Install tab, and search for node-red-contrib-tfr2cot in the search field, then click on the "Install" button.
4. Install in Node-RED

License & Copyright

Copyright 2023 CLP Development, LLC

Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at:

http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0

Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations under the License.