The European Frequencies Shortage
and what we are doing about it – RFF- 8.33
The Radio Frequency Function and 8.33 Implementation
Jacky Pouzet
Head of Communication and Frequency Coordination Unit
WAC Madrid, March 2018
Contents
� The aviation Radio spectrum congestion
� The Network Manager services to mitigate the congestion (first
solution)
� The 8.33 deployment (2nd solution)
� Impacting General aviation and ANSPs
� Conclusions and next steps
2
We need bigger aircraft…to fit all the aeronautical antennas…
3
Airbus 320
And aviation spectrum is … congested
ILS
ILS
VOR
DMEVHFCourtesy of
The First Problem: Spectrum limits: VHF Frequency Shortage
5
Coming soon: Navigation Aids Frequencies shortage
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In addition: Multiple users of the frequency bands
� Multiple systems in the DME band (960 – 1215 MHz):
� SSR
� UAT
� GNSS
� In the future: LDACS
� Military systems: TACAN, JTIDS/MIDS
� More systems in the future
� LDACS
� PMSE?� Support spectrum access for GNSS
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Can we get more spectrum?.... NO!Hence we shall increase spectrum efficiency (Cf. ITU rules)
� Frequencies for voice and data communications between pilots and controllers.
Can we re-use frequencies?Line of sight of an aircraft at FL450
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Received from ground
Received from another aircraft at FL450
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023
Implement 8.33 below FL195 Do Nothing
First Solution: The Network Radio Frequency Function.Entrusted to the EUROCONTROL Network Manager by the European Commission
Interim8.33
Final8.33
RFF Contribution
RFF objectives:
1.Minimise impact of congestion
2. Ensure 8.33 benefit lasts
Satisfaction rate simulation performed in 2010
First Solution: The Network Radio Frequency Function
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Mitigate the Impact on the Network of the shortage of aeronautical frequency channels
for Communications and Navigation
ToolsServices Studies
MANIF AFM
Data Quality Server
RFF OneSky Team
Radio Tests
Frequency Studies
ICAO/RAFT Proposals
Improve Frequency PlanningPromote Best Practices
SAFIRE
MONITORING
RFF Help Desk
Interferences
First Solution: What does the RFF do?
� The RFF supports States in� satisfying frequency requests
� keeping frequencies working safely
� ensuring we all work to high standards
� preparing for aviation evolution
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How did the RFF perform? Postponed the congestion!VHF COM Satisfaction rate in congested areas
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Initial 8.33
DeploymentHorizontal 8.33
Expansion (HEX)
Vertical 8.33
Expansion (VEX)
Network Functions
Regulation (RFF)
PL
PTES
AT
GB
FR
DE
BE
NL
CZ
HU
DK
LT
LV
NO
SEFI
SK
IT
CH
IE
UA
MD
RO
BG
MKAL
GR TR
CYMT
AM
GE
RSBA
HRSI
ME
LU
EE
DZ
MA
AZ
BY
EG
IL
KZ
KG
RU
TJ
TN
TM
LY
JO
SY
IQ
UZ
LB
EUR SAFIRE Active UsersEUR SAFIRE Inactive Users
IS
IE
SAFIRE v5 current use
First : Manage the spectrum efficiently: DONE with the RFF.Second : Reduce Channel Spacing: The introduction of 8.33 kHz channels
- European Commission regulation : 1265/2007, 1079/2012.
� 8.33 channel spacing deployment in EUR region
� In 1999: Above FL245
� In 2007: Above FL195
� In 2014/2018: Below FL195?
Second Solution: Slow deployment
25 kHz VCS
introduced70s
8.33 kHz VCS
introduced1999 8.33 kHz
VCS Full?20192025
Above FL245
Enables aviation growth
No new air-ground voice technology
planned
Reasons: Slow ROI and Some stakeholders with low benefits
Second Solution: Implementation so far
Frequencies for 8.33 kHz control sectors
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Second Solution Plan:
(EU) IR 1079/2012 - VCS Regulation milestones
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17-11-2013
All new/upgraded radios are 8.33kHz
capable
17-11-2013
All new/upgraded radios are 8.33kHz
capable
Jan-2018Jan-2018Jan-2016Jan-2016 Jan-2017Jan-2017 Dec-2018Dec-2018Jan-2015Jan-2015
31-12-2018
All 25kHz assignments in EU MS are
converted to 8.33kHz
31-12-2018
All 25kHz assignments in EU MS are
converted to 8.33kHz
01-01-2018
All aircraft operating in EU MS airspace are
8.33kHz capable
01-01-2018
All aircraft operating in EU MS airspace are
8.33kHz capable
01-01-2015
All 25kHz OPC assignments in IR1079/2012
Annex I MS are converted to 8.33kHz
01-01-2015
All 25kHz OPC assignments in IR1079/2012
Annex I MS are converted to 8.33kHz
31-12-2014
25% of 25kHz assignments in IR1079/2012
Annex I MS are converted to 8.33kHz
31-12-2014
25% of 25kHz assignments in IR1079/2012
Annex I MS are converted to 8.33kHz
01-01-2014
All aircraft operating under IFR in
IR1079/2012 Annex I MS are 8.33kHz
capable
01-01-2014
All aircraft operating under IFR in
IR1079/2012 Annex I MS are 8.33kHz
capable
17-11-2013
All new/upgraded radios are 8.33kHz
capable
Jan-2018Jan-2016 Jan-2017 Dec-2018Jan-2015
31-12-2018
All 25kHz assignments in EU MS are
converted to 8.33kHz
01-01-2018
All aircraft operating in EU MS airspace are
8.33kHz capable
01-01-2015
All 25kHz OPC assignments in IR1079/2012
Annex I MS are converted to 8.33kHz
31-12-2014
25% of 25kHz assignments in IR1079/2012
Annex I MS are converted to 8.33kHz
01-01-2014
All aircraft operating under IFR in
IR1079/2012 Annex I MS are 8.33kHz
capable
8.33VCS Implementation Support
8.33 VCS Implementation: A challenging transition phase –EC and network manager are monitoring the transition
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Note: All statistics considers only Assigned and Operational assignments
(IR and IP status) of SAFIRE data set 2018-02-16; excepted
assignments (EMG, SAR, ACARS, VDL2) excluded
Service 25kHz Frequency 8.33kHz Frequency
A/A 18 6
A/G 1434 367
ACC 673 528
AFIS 731 228
APP 956 84
AS 604 166
ATIS 375 39
FIS 118
OPC 872 935
PAR 77 2
TWR 925 78
VOLMET 47 7
Grand Total 6830 2440
8.33VCS Implementation Support - Classification: TLP:Green
Frequency Congestion expected after 8.33 implementation
(Jan.2019)
208.33VCS Implementation Support
No. of available 8.33kHz channels based on an ACC 50NM radius/FL450 service
Frequency Congestion expected in 2025
218.33VCS Implementation Support
No. of available 8.33kHz channels based on an ACC 50NM radius/FL450 service
Conclusion
� Current solutions can solve the problems, but implementation delays may have network
impact
� -> 8.33 implementation must be implemented as planned.
� -> Risk: Gap between planning and real implementation
� Newcomers to the aeronautical spectrum can significantly worsen the situation and fast
� Changes to aeronautical systems expensive and slow
� Very long ROI, therefore no investment.
� Spectrum is a scarce resource, aviation need to continue to invest to optimise its usage.� Airport communication (AeroMACS etc…)
� LDACS.
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