Website for the ICAO Global database of frequency assignments
1. Introduction
1.1ICAO has uploaded to the ICAO website the first draft version of the Global database with frequency assignments for VHF air/ground communication systems operating in the frequency range 117.975 – 137 MHz. This database is essentially a concatenation of the different Regional COM lists, brought together in a single database and are using a single file format. This file format is compatible with the frequency assignment planning program Frequency Finder.
1.2The Global database of frequency assignments has been developed with FileMaker Pro 12 (which is also the database program with which Frequency Finder has been developed. On the ICAO Server, the program FileMaker Server 12 Advanced has be3en installed to host the Global database. With the FileMaker API (Application Programming Interface) for PHP the data from the Global database is accessible through the web browser in strict xhtml5 format. The FileMaker API for PHP is based on PHP 5.
1.3Although the development of the website is mature for presentation to the AFI Regional Workshop in September 2013, it is subject to further development and completion. For this, comments from Regional Offices and States are very supportive to complete the website meeting the respective requirements and expectations. It is expected that in its final format, the website with the Global database can be operational by November / December 2013. The website as it is completed to date has been developed taking into account specific requirements from the ITU.
1.6Currently the website is only accessible with the most recent version of Firefox. Compatibility of the website with Google Chrome and Internet Explorer is under development.
1.7Through the FileMaker API for PHP any modification to the database itself (by Regional Offices) is available immediately through the web browser. This provides for an accurate and up-to-date statement of frequency assignments.
2. Purpose of the website.
2.1The purpose of the website is primarily to provide States and other relevant entities with access to the Global database of frequency assignments to support frequency assignment planning. However, the database can also be integrated with other mapping and design solutions to improve communication and navigation in airspace.
2.2 The website can be accessed with the URL This URL may be subject to changes. In any case, in its final format, the website will be placed on a server in ICAO with an ICAO domain name.
2.2The home page of the website is as in figure 1.
2.2.1From this page the Global database can be downloaded in a normal web-browser. Downloading of the Global database (as a whole) or the Regional sub-divisions of the database is possible with the red and the blue buttons on the home page. For downloading these databases a high speed internet connection is required to reduce the download time. Initial testing has shown that on a high speed internet connection downloading may take between one – two minutes.
A second page has been developed that provides links to data relevant to frequency assignment planning. This page can be reached with the button “click” on the home page:
2.3
Downloading and viewing the Global or Regional databases with a web-browser.
When clicking one of the red or blue buttons on the home page, the relevant database will be downloaded
The format in which the database for the AFI Region is presented to the user is:
In the current version, all details for the frequency assignment are presented. This may be reduced to essential data for scrolling though the Global or Regional COM list. All details can (and are) also presented in a separate window (see paragraph 2.5).
Note that the scroll bar for scrolling through all frequency assignments has been placed on the left side of the window. When scrolling, the heading of the columns remains on the window (the heading of the table is “floating”.
Currently viewing of the COM lists is only possible in Country order and in frequency order. However, other sorting formats can be added as required.
2.4Viewing of the database is also possible on a country-by-country basis.
For easy selection of the frequency assignments of a single country, drop-down menus for each of the six ICAO Regions have been placed on the home page. These drop-down menus only show the countries within the relevant Region.
Note: These drop-down menus were inserted initially at the request of the ITU but are considered also useful for States when using the website. At the request of the ITU, a drop down menu for the whole of the Global COM list will be implemented in the near future. The regional-based drop down menus have the advantage that the user can only select countries from within a single Region and the list itself is limited to the number of countries listed for that Region.
Drop-down menu for the AFI Region:
When selecting from this drop-down menu Gabon, the frequency assignments listed for Gabon are presented as follows:
Frequency assignments for Gabon.
2.5Viewing details.
Initially as an experiment but probably to be implemented permanently, it is possible to view all the details for a single frequency assignment in a single window. This would allow for only essential data being presented in the Global database thus reducing the download time of the Global or Regional database. When clicking on the field/button/hyperlink “view” the data for a single frequency assignment can be viewed in a single window as follows:
2.6Updating the Global database.
2.6Updating of the Global database is the exclusive prerogative of the Regional Offices. The Regional Offices typically modify changes to the database after successful coordination of these modifications with relevant States, as necessary. For this updates, a FileMaker based solution is being developed in close coordination with the relevant Regional Officers.
However, in principle, it is also possible to upload modifications to the global database through a web-browser. Development of this method is in progress, but to date a window that shows the fields (data elements) of the frequency assignment that can be modified. The window for modifying records in the Global database can be accessed with the button/hyperlink “edit” on the OM list (see paragraph 2.4) and provides the following data:
Fields that can be modified have a white background. Un-modifiable fields have a gray background. This method of updating (which may be subject to certain security concerns) can be implemented in case desired by Regional Offices. Updating the data in the Global data base is to take place manually through this method.
Methods to upload a new frequency assignment or deleting an existing frequency assignment is under development.
Modifying the Global database can only take place through the relevant ICAO Regional Offices.
3. Downloading of the Global or Regional database. It is possible to download from the web browser the Global or Regional database and paste it either into an Excel file or, through Excel, to import it in a small database program that can be downloaded from the website.
This small program (FileMaker runtime version) is in the zip file for bff21c, together with a manual for the use of this database. The program only provides for elementary database management functionality on a local computer and is not linked directly to the Global database. This page and the manual contain further instructions on how to download the database to a local computer and save it in an Excel file or in the file bff21c.
5.Further work.
Further work concentrates on linking Frequency Finder directly to the Global database. This would facilitate for end-users of Frequency Finder (States and other relevant aeronautical entities) top synchronize the database in Frequency Finder on a local computer with the current version of the Global database. This would complete the work on Frequency Finder (for VHF COM systems).
After the Global database has been developed, on a Regional basis, the data in the Global COM list needs to be validated. States need to be invited to review the frequency assignments for their country in the Global database and, where necessary, provide updated information to ICAO. It is recommended to review this, together with an implementation of the use of Frequency Finder and the coordination methods for the Global database by the Regional Offices through a Seminar or workshop. Such an activity should include a complete review of all frequency assignments in the AFI Region.