AMCP/WG C2-WP23

AERONAUTICAL MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS PANEL

Working Group C2

Second Meeting

ESTEC - The Netherlands

7-11 May 2001

Eurocontrol Activities on Future Mobile Communication Systems

Agenda Item 5 – New system to be considered

Agenda Item 1 – Inventory of Action Items

Presented by Philippe Renaud, Eurocontrol

This paper presents the current activities on going at Eurocontrol with respect to the identification of a future mobile communication infrastructure to support the Air Traffic Management in 2015 and beyond.

This paper also results from action WG/C1-10.

1.Approach

At the first meeting of the AMCP WG C, it was recognised that the VHF AM(R)S band would be congested beyond 2010. To provide the aviation with the necessary capacity to face the foreseen traffic increase and allow the ATM system evolution, there is an urgent need to undertake the necessary actions for identifying suitable alternative spectrum bands and the adequate systems operating within.

Another aspect to be considered is the evolution of the ATM system. Indeed, it is clear that the mobile communication infrastructure, which could incorporate new systems (e.g. SDLS, ETDMA, 3rd mobile generation technologies), is not expected to be fully in operation before mid of the next decade. Within this timeframe, the ATM system will have evolved and will be partly based on new concepts. To enable the ATM evolution, the mobile communication infrastructure will have to support an operating concept that has to be established to draw from the appropriate infrastructure.

Therefore, it has been agreed, at Eurocontrol, to progress in parallel two approaches ( a) band and access method identification and b) identification of communication infrastructure) with their own objectives and time scale.

2.Short term initiatives – band and access method identification

If a part or the majority of the new systems, which will be included in the mobile communication infrastructure by 2015, would be operating in another band than the VHF AM(R)S band, the appropriate actions need to be undertaken at the ITU-World Radio Conference.

Considering the process required to introduce a related agenda item in the Conference, an important milestone to be considered is the WRC 2003 and all the preparatory work (e.g. CEPT in Europe).

Eurocontrol has identified some potential sub-bands and some access method that have been specified in the context of the wide band 3rd generation mobile communication systems and which could be beneficial to the aviation.

An initial feasibility study, conducted by the Swiss organisation CSEM confirmed that the use of 3rd generation wide band technology would be possible at VHF and C-Band frequencies.

Following this work, a performance analysis was undertaken by a company closely associated with GSM/UMTS technology. The promising results provided a first insight into the range/performance trade-off taking into account aircraft doppler shifts. The predicted C-Band performance, assuming heavy rain but no antenna gain, is presented below:


Essentially a range of some 20 kms is predicted with a data rate of about 400 kbits/sec. However, the sector ground antenna with a cosecant elevation pattern would provide at least a 12 dB gain thereby increasing the range substantially.

Hardware/software simulations are now being conducted to confirm the analysis. These results are expected during May 2001.

The next step will be a field trial using an experimental aircraft. This is anticipated during the first half of 2002. It will then be possible to interpolate system performance characteristics for the range of frequencies from VHF up to C-Band.

The plan is to get the necessary supporting feasibility/interest information by mid 2002 to contribute in time to the WRC 2003 and CEPT processes.

3.Top-down approach – identification of the infrastructure

To address the long-term requirements, which have to be fulfilled by the communication infrastructure beyond 2015, it has been agreed to proceed into two steps.

First, based on what is the expected as an ATM system by 2015 and beyond, define as accurately as possible what is expected as operating concept for the Mobile Communication infrastructure to enable this ATM system.

The plan is to finalise the operating concept by end of 2001/early 2002 in order to review the outcome with all the party concerned. A contract for progressing the definition of this operating concept is being finalised and will be issued by end of May 2001.

The next step to be launched once the operating concept will be agreed is the identification of the mobile communication systems that will be included inside the infrastructure with the view of making then available the systems which have to be refined or defined.

4.Recommendation

The AMCP WG C is invited to:

  • Note the activities progressed at Eurocontrol
  • Inform Eurocontrol if similar activities are on-going in other regions/Organisations on similar subjects to extend the completeness, reduce the period expected to progress the analyses, share the costs.

------End of Working Paper ------

- 1/3 -