AC_NET7.ppt

….Airplanes …As a Network….

A Presentation to Interested Participants

Jan 22, 2003by

Ralph YostInnovations Division, ACB-100

William J. Hughes Technical Center

Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS)

AC_NET7.ppt

Airborne Internet….SATS and Beyond

Mobile connectivity is a growing technology in our society today. Its growth is fueled by the desire of people to remain connected to "the network" even while traveling. From wireless LANs at home and the office to wireless connectivity with Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), people are utilizing new methods to extend the traditional network connectivity that originated with a wire to a computer.

The idea of using these same mobile connectivity principles has found its way into aviation…and is being applied to comm, nav. & surveillance functions.

The concept of basic network connectivity could be used to connect other mobile vehicles, including automobiles, trucks, and trains. Network connectivity could be obtained between vehicles and a ground network infrastructure, thus enhancing their ability to process data relative to their operation.

AC_NET7.ppt The Genesis of an idea……Airborne InternetThe Genesis of an idea……Airborne Internet

The Small Aircraft Transportation System is a safe The Small Aircraft Transportation System is a safe travel alternative, freeing people and products travel alternative, freeing people and products

from transportation system delays,from transportation system delays,by creating access to more communities in less by creating access to more communities in less

time.time.The idea of an Airborne Internet was produced as a result of NASA's Small

Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) program planning. The SATS program needed Airborne Internet to accomplish its performance goals.

Program planners identified the need to establish a robust communications channel between aircraft and the ground network. But the utility of Airborne Internet has the potential to extend beyond the SATS program.....It could

open up a whole new set of operating capabilities, safety and efficiency for tomorrow’s transportation industry.

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SATSLabs and A.I.

Virginia SATS TeamMaryland SATS TeamSoutheast SATS TeamNorth Carolina & Upper Great Plains SATS Team.

•Each SATSLab has some level of interest in A.I.

• The level of interest in A.I. Varies between the Labs

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Higher Volume Operation at Non-Towered/Non-Radar Airports.

Enable simultaneous operations by multiple aircraft in non-radar airspace at and around small non-towered airports in near all-weather.

Lower Landing Minimums at Minimally Equipped Landing Facilities

Provide precision approach and landing guidance to small airports while avoiding land acquisition and approach lighting costs, as well as ground-based precision guidance systems such as ILS.

Increase Single-pilot Crew Safety and Mission Reliability.

Increase single-pilot safety, precision, and mission completion

En Route Procedures and Systems for Integrated Fleet Operations.

Provide simulation and analytical assessments of concepts that integrate SATS-equipped aircraft into higher en route air traffic flows and controlled airspace.

SATS Operational Capabilities To Be Demonstrated in 2005To Be Demonstrated in 2005

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Airborne Internet….Airborne Internet….BeyondBeyond SATS SATS……..and out into the horizon..and out into the horizon

• Why should A.I. Be limited to SATS?• SATS will receive greater benefit from A.I.

development and application if A.I. is expanded beyond the realm of SATS

• Why should A.I. be limited to General Aviation?

• Why should A.I. be limited to Aviation? • Other modes have the potential to benefit: railroad,

automobile/truck/highway, maritime

• The greater the interest in the development of A.I., the greater the benefit to all

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Why an Airborne Internet Forum?Why an Airborne Internet Forum?

• Leverage resources.

• Join our common interests to form a greater whole

• Establish a legal entity for possible funding of A.I. development

• Collaborate to produce guidelines and standards that will provide a roadmap to FAA certification (GS&Cs)

• Individual contributors to this process will enjoy possible early business opportunities in A.I.

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The Cycle of Revolutionary Advances in Technology

R&T Development &

Evaluation Phase

Initial Acceptance PhaseTransition development

International endorsement

Deployment Phase SystemMaturity Phase

SystemDevelopment

SystemDeployment

Maturation

Revolution

Idea is Idea is proposed,proposed,

briefed,briefed,funding funding soughtsought

Proof of Concept

Airborne InternetAirborne InternetDevelopmentDevelopment

2002 2007 2012 2017 2022

Evolution

20XX

Airborne Internet has the potential for greater impact in aviation

Airborne

Internet

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Radar dependant airspace. Radars are installed as airspace

traffic density increases (e.g. NE U.S.)

Current System: Technology:- Analog technology

foundation- Dual function

transponder- Line of sight

-Provide aircraft altitude, range, ID code-Extensive processing can provide flight trend prediction

Goal-Flight coverage is geographic dependant- Low altitude gaps-Many GA airports not covered

A.I. Application Example:A.I. Application Example:Surveillance Radar AugmentationSurveillance Radar Augmentation

Outside of radar coverage Outside of radar coverage ATC has no ATC has no positivepositive knowledge of A/C position, knowledge of A/C position, altitude, etc.altitude, etc.- Use checkpoint reportingUse checkpoint reporting

A/C tracking depends on secondary surveillance radar

Transponders in A/C reply to ground interrogations from surveillance radars. ATC has positive knowledge of A/C position, altitude, etc.

Limitations:

BB BB

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The History of Secondary Surveillance Radar Technology

British Develop radar for air

defense (preWWII)

CAA deploys ASR-1FY 1950

SystemMaturity Phase

Early Deployment

System Refinement

Mode S

ATCRBSEarly Develop.

SecondarySecondarySurveillanceSurveillance

Life CycleLife Cycle

1930 1940 1950 1970 1990

DABS/ADSEL

20XX

First ASR antenna at Smithsonian

ARTS, 1975

Monopulse SSR

ATCBI-6

DATALINK

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A Possible Solution?

NON-SATS Aircraft

Inmarsat 3M(Future)

VDL Mode SATS

VDL Mode SATS

VDL Mode SATS

SATS Aircraft

Satcom

ATC Controller

GPS

Navigation

Line of sight

SATS AirportServices•TIS-B• LAAS

NAS Services• ATM System• HUB Airports• TIS-B

Internet• Weather Products • NOTAMs•Flight Service Stations• Other

VPN

Gateway NON-SATS

Aircraft

Inmarsat 3M(Future)

VDL Mode SATS

VDL Mode SATS

VDL Mode SATS

SATS Aircraft

Satcom

ATC Controller

GPS

Navigation

Line of sight

SATS AirportServices•TIS-B• LAAS

NAS Services• ATM System• HUB Airports• TIS-B

Internet• Weather Products • NOTAMs•Flight Service Stations• Other

VPN

Gateway

Network Aircraft as we do Computers

Graphic courtesy of CNS Inc.

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KEY REQUIREMENTS:Reliable Connection to Network

Current aviation voice comm is VHF

- Continue to use VHF but add Satellite

- Use BOTH to maintain mobile connectivity to a network

- Provides equipment and frequency diversity

- Spectrum efficient

- Report GPS/WAAS position data continually to network

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Flight Tracking at All Altitudes

GND

TransitionAirspace

High Altitude Sector

En Route

Low Altitude Sector

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120

- Provides potential ATC participation to ALL aircraft

- Coverage: Ground up

- Includes Gulf of Mexico, Oceanic, entire continental U.S.

Graphic courtesy of CNS Inc.

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Airborne Internet Accomplishment Summary

- Task 1: Conducted technology assessment, NAS Infrastructure assessment, built first AI Demo set for proof of concept. (completed Jan 2002)

- Task 2: Produced interface description document, conduct AI demos, add NOTAMs capability. (May-Sept 2002)

- Task 3: Upgrade NASA LARC D.I.F. trailer to AI capability, add a/c system, Network Application Service Interface Document, Functional Description Document, tech note on interface to Harris ADS-B mapping system.

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Potential BenefitsPotential Benefits

- Data transfer and applications available to commercial and GA

-Spectrum efficient: many functions over a single/dual frequency

- Minimizes the number of radios and antennas on an aircraft

- Voice over IP

-Provide ATC coverage to aircraft using non-radar covered airports

-No ground equipment required at airport

- Surveillance augmentation includes Gulf of Mexico and Oceanic

- ATC Flight following to more GA aircraft

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For more information:

Ralph Yost

Innovations Division, ACB-100

William J Hughes Technical Center

Atlantic City Airport, NJ 08405

(609) 485-5637

Ralph.Yost@faa.gov

http://acb100.tc.faa.gov

http://www.AirborneInternet.com

http://www.airborneinternet.net