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Future Communications Roadmap

John Micallefjohn.micallef@eurocontrol.int

Dean Lamianodlamiano@mitre.org

AGCFG #3 & ACP WG-C#1118-19 September 2006, Brussels

European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation

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Contents

Action Plan 17 Input to Roadmap VHF-band evolution L-band evolution C-band evolution Commercial solutions Next Steps

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Future Communications StudyAction Plan (AP) 17

Technical Theme 4: Identify the communication roadmap

Objective: Create a roadmap describing the communication infrastructure evolution

Task 4.1 Communication Roadmap: In support of the communications operating concept, create a roadmap for the evolution of the communication infrastructure, specifically focusing on the introduction of the potential new technologies, and identifying the applicable airspace, phases of flight, and services supported

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Future Communications StudyAP 17 – Communications Roadmap

Technical ThemesFreq Mgmt

2004 2005 2006 2007

Extend Current System

Initial COCRID Mobile Comm Ops Concept

COCR (V1.0)

Investigate potential technologiesfor mobile communication

Pre-screen

Investigation

Simulation

Communications Roadmap

Roadmap

Flexible Airborne Comm Architecture Feasibility

Spectrum Band Investigation

Band Studies

Create Multi-National Framework

ICAO – ANC WG-C

Business Themes

Create Industry Interest SESAR, ICNS, RTCA ATMAC

StakeholdersBusiness Model

Final - COCR (V2.0)

Today

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FCS Roadmap Considerations

2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030Communications Roadmap

Function A

Function B

Link 1

Link 2

Operation

Technology

Link 3

Domain2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030Communications Roadmap

Function A

Function B

Link 1

Link 2

Operation

Technology

Link 3

Domain

Roadmap

COCR

Regional

Considerations

Spectrum

Environment

User Inputs

Technology Assessment

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EvaluationCriteria

ResultsPotential

Technologies

Wireless MAN Technology(IEEE 802.16)

Public Safety Standards(P34)

Aviation Specific Technologies(VDL Derivatives, B-VHF)

Cellular Telephony Technology(WCDMA)

Satellite Communications(SwiftBB)

Technology Assessment

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EvaluationCriteria

ResultsPotential

Technologies

Wireless MAN Technology(IEEE 802.16)

Public Safety Standards(P34)

Aviation Specific Technologies(VDL Derivatives, B-VHF)

Cellular Telephony Technology(WCDMA)

Satellite Communications(SwiftBB)

PotentialTechnologies

Wireless MAN Technology(IEEE 802.16)

Public Safety Standards(P34)

Aviation Specific Technologies(VDL Derivatives, B-VHF)

Cellular Telephony Technology(WCDMA)

Satellite Communications(SwiftBB)

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User Input

Sustain voice communications in VHF Band as long as possible

Make optimum use of current equipage 8.33 kHz channel spacing is the preferred first

alternative only when current 25- kHz spectrum no longer meets operational needs

New technical solutions should be pursued only after all non-equipment solutions have been exhausted

Spectrum allocation Policies and procedures

Aeronautical Data Link System (ADLS) is important Use existing VHF capabilities / equipment

(VDM2, 1090 MHz, UAT) to provide ADLS until Future Communications Study decisions and milestones are set

Commit to a data link technology, schedule, and funding by 2007.

AOC should remain separate from ATS communication

Sustain voice communications in VHF Band as long as possible

Sustain future operation of voice communications in the VHF band

by expanding 8.33 services (vertical expansion and potentially into the upper VOR band)

Foresee a change in paradigm in the 2020 timeframe where additional capacity is provided by making data the primary mode of communications

Given this short timescale to develop and implement new technologies, a decision has to be made soon.

Target a global solution, but one that focuses on the requirements of the high-density core areas

Demonstrate a solid business case for the introduction of future systems

In the case of Satellite communications, consider options of having a dedicated ATM system vs. sharing the infrastructure with other services.

Facilitate the transition to a new system by considering the introduction of a digital voice service. This is a desirable step but not critical.

•Use VHF band and existing technologies and equipment as long as possible

• Prepare for digital communications to support anticipated shift in operational paradigm

•Ensure timely technology decisions

• Ensure solid business case for new technologies

• Ensure solutions resolve local issues, and are globally applicable

U.S. ATMAC European States

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C Band•Airport communications

L Band•Surveillance•Situational awareness•ATC Data

Operations• Initial Safety Ops,

as possible

20052005 20102010 20202020 2030203020252025

VHF•ATC Voice•ATC Data•AOC Data•AOC Voice

CommercialTerrestrialor Satellite

•SWIM Data•AOC Data•Weather

Operations• US: Voice (only)• EUR: Voice

+ Init DL

OperationsUS & EUR:• Voice &• Data Link

Operations•Data Link•Voice

• low altitude remains AM• US: Incorporate networked voice as adjunct to data

• Planning for enhanced VHF link and commercial augmentation for advisory information

Architecture & Trade Studies

• Ground & Air Trials• Transition concepts• Implementation

strategies

Operations• Non-Safety Ops

Operations• Mode S & ES (Air Carrier)• UAT (G/A in U.S.)

• Mode S/UAT Integration Studies• FCS Development

Operations• U.S.: FCS Implementation

(if needed)

Far TermNear Term

Operations• EUR: FCS deployment

Optimize spectrum• U.S.: 8.33 KHz if necessary• EUR: 8.33 VEX

FCS Datalink R&D

Potential AM(R)S Services (Based on commercial services, or dedicated satellite)

FCS Surface Network Studies

Networked Voice Studies

Surface Network Implementations

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VHF Band Evolution

Analog Voice

US: 8.33 kHz (in U.S. Enroute) if necessary

25 KHz Low Altitude

Digital/DataCommunications

2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

US: VDL-M2 Legacy Users (AOC, USDataComm)

Digital Airborne Data Network Networked ATC Voice (Enroute)

US: VDL-M2 Limitations

Air Traffic Services CommunicationsCapabilities

8.33 kHz

EUR: 8.33 kHz (Vertical Expansion < FL 245, <195, …) Potential extension to upper VOR band

Surveillance VDL-M4 (Regional Deployment – outside Core Europe)

VHF Band Use•Extends use of VHF band as long as possible•Maintains Legacy Communications

•Voice (ATS, Unicom)•Data (ATS, AOC)

•Provides Digital Communications for Safety Related ATS Applications

…to free spectrum for digital communications VHF band in U.S.

Core Europe: VHF Saturation8.33 kHz Core Europe > FL 245 (VHF Saturation)

U.S. Saturation

Existing

Plan

Enables

EUR: VDL-M2 Legacy Users (AOC, Link2000+, CASCADE) EUR: VDL-M2 Limitations

EUR Saturation

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L-Band Evolution

2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

L-BandDigital Broadcast US: UAT (intially GA)

Existing

Plan

1090 Extended Squitter1090 Extended Squitter Limitations

U.S. L-Band Data Link (if needed)

EUR: L-Band Data Link

Air Traffic Services CommunicationsCapabilities

Digital/DataCommunications

L-Band Use•Maintains Surveillance Functions

•Provision for ADS-B (1090 ES and UAT) and related broadcast applications

•Provide new spectrum for Digital Communications for Safety Related ATS Applications where and when VHF band exhausted

•Must not interfere with other systems operating in the band

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C-band evolution

C-Band for Airport Network•High integrity surface network to supplement critical surface communications

•Enables variety of new airport capabilities•All surface vehicles to be supported•Enable applications supporting airport productivity•Likely based on IEEE 802.16

2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

MLSC-Band

Existing

Plan

• Surface Vehicle Comm• Airport Sensor Data• Diversity Path

• EFB• Airport Automation• Security/Video Surveillance

Applications

New Airport LAN (802.16 based WLAN in MLS extension band)

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Satellite and Terrestrial Communications

Commercial and dedicated Options•Continue/Expand use of Satellite Communications in Oceanic airspace

•Follow new commercial offerings for aeronautical mobile applications, and consider as potential distribution outlets for aeronautical information

•Consider how satellite services can be applied in high density traffic environments

•Explore shared and dedicated satellite solutions

2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

Air Traffic Services CommunicationsCapabilities

Oceanic Data Link

SWIM Applications

U.S.: Initial Safety related enroute communications

New AOC and passenger applications

Eur: Initial Safety related enroute communications

Domestic

Oceanic

Existing

Plan

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Next Steps

Elicit feedback from stakeholders Determine Access to Other Spectrum Bands (i.e. L-Band and C-Band) Integrate specific technology choices compatible with those bands Explore dedicated and commercial satellite communications Integrate Flexible Airborne Architecture as element of Roadmap Integrate Operational and Policy Aspects