Space Communications

This paper provides an overview of the EUROCONTROL activities and involvement in relation to using satellite communications to support the aviation requirements in the context of the work to define the future aeronautical communications infrastructure. In addition, the paper discusses the key issues that need to be addressed and describes a potential model that could contribute to the greater utilisation of satellite aeronautical communications in the future.

The European Union is moving towards implementation of the Single European Sky policy, which is supported by the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) Programme for implementing a new Air Traffic Management (ATM) administrative, operational and technical concept. In coordination with the European Commission, EUROCONTROL, Air Navigation Service Providers and the SESAR consortium, “Iris” is the European Space Agency's initiative on the use of a satellite system for ATM air/ground communications. The Iris Programme aims to develop satellite communications for exchanges between aircraft and flight control centres, complementing existing and future systems in support of the growth in worldwide air traffic operations.

This paper presents ESA's rationale for initiating a new programme line dedicated to ATM communications under the umbrella of the Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme, its objectives, and the workplan of activities of the Phase 1 of the Iris Programme.

The Communications Operating Concepts and Requirements (COCR) for Future Radio Systems (FRS) [EUROCONTROL/FAA, Technical report, May 2007] is a document produced jointly by Eurocontrol (the European organization for the safety of air navigation) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a roadmap document for future development of Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems. Among others it provides a method to estimate the communication link capacity requirement for future ATM services. Nevertheless, the COCR document is written as a general guideline, without taking into account any technological implementation.

In this work we present a methodology to estimate the capacity in terms of communication bit rate requirements for ATM services in a constellation of geostationary (GEO) satellites with spot beams. The complete approach is illustrated using concrete scenario elements and assumptions as well as numerical parameter values along the whole process.

The bit rate requirement per spot beam is determined using a similar approach to the one in the COCR, with some parameters adjusted to fit in a satellite system scenario. Furthermore, the criticality of one particular service message, the A-EXEC, is verified by comparing the required bit rate when it is excluded from the computation. A condition when this criticality applies is also determined.

The result of this work may thus contribute to the assessment of appropriate technologies used for ATM in the Future Communications Study (FCS) framework [EUROCONTROL/FAA, Technical report].

Satellites systems are a promising solution to cope with the capacity limitations of current air traffic control (ATC) systems. It is necessary to evaluate and assess existing and upcoming satellite systems taking into account air traffic management (ATM) requirements. This paper reviews a representative set of satellite communications (SatCom) systems and presents a competitive analysis based on objective criteria, to assess their suitability to support aeronautical services. Key drivers that should be considered for future systems design are identified and discussed. These key drivers are finally grouped to fulfil three complementary objectives that may not be possible to achieve through a single solution: improve service area, provide additional capability and capacity to existing terrestrial systems in high density airspace and to provide new services to passengers and airlines.

An efficient and sustainable network for aeronautical communications is required to enable the implementation of a range of operational improvements needed to support the expected growth in air transportation. The NEWSKY project (“NEtWorking the SKY”) is co-funded by the European Commission within the 6th Framework Programme and was initiated with the aim to develop a concept of a global aeronautical communication network based on Internet technologies. NEWSKY focuses on the design of an IPv6 based network for air-ground communications by supplementing existing concepts to be applicable to aeronautics. NEWSKY pursues the vision of “Networking the Sky” by integrating different radio link technologies and different applications into a single IP-based aeronautical network. The integration of satellite-based, ground-based and airport communication links is targeted. The envisaged application classes comprise not only safety related services as Air Traffic Services (ATS) and Aeronautical Operation Control (AOC), but also non safety related services as Airline Administrative Communications (AAC) and passenger communications (APC). The transition from the current ACARS and Aeronautical Telecommunication Network based on OSI technologies (ATN/OSI) is considered. As a result, the modular and highly flexible architecture of the proposed NEWSKY approach helps to create a future aeronautical communication system which is viable well beyond 2020.

Project objectives: The core of ANASTASIA (Airborne New Advanced Satellite Techniques & Technologies in a System Integrated Approach) research is to provide on-board Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) solutions to cope with the foreseen doubling of air traffic by 2020.

ANASTASIA will carry out research of future technology and system architectures for navigation, resulting in the development of a new generation of airborne Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers for all phases of flight. Such systems will offer accurate and safe global navigation while reducing avionics cost through the optimisation of the number and complexity of on board equipment.

On the communication side, work will concentrate on the design and implementation of a prototype Satcom system that will meet the evolving European Air Traffic Management (ATM) requirements. Research will also be made into higher bandwidth services, systems and airborne equipment to efficiently meet long term future aircraft communication requirements, including both ATM and passenger needs.

The future needs of Surveillance will be consolidated with the requirements and key technology tests from Communications and Navigation.

Expected results: The main goal of ANASTASIA is to pave the way for the introduction of new satellite-based technologies into aircraft operations in both Navigation and Communications.

The main outcome of ANASTASIA will be recommendations for future civil aircraft operation and a set of evaluated technologies and avionics architectures achievable from 2010 that will enable more autonomous, satellite-based aircraft operation.

Paper focus: After a general description of the rationale of the project and of its global CNS objectives, the focus is made in this paper on the communication side where more detailed objectives and initial results are presented.

Air traffic forecast projects an important increase of aeronautical communications at the 2020 timeframe. The actual communication infrastructure which supports ATM (Air Traffic Management) cannot deal with this evolution of data volume exchanged in dense areas. The SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) European project has started to prepare the Future Communication Infrastructure (FCI), with aviation stakeholders.

To feed the investigations on the Future Communication Infrastructure, a joint study between ESA (European Space Agency) and CNES has been performed to prove that satellite communications system can be a good candidate to participate in the FCI. Technical and economical viability have been studied during this activity.