Enhanced automated air/ground synchronisation

Topic description

Specific Challenge:

In the area of voice communications, the current controller-pilot voice communications concept of operations is a de facto result of the way of working and the performance of the legacy system (i.e. the analogue DSB-AM VHF radio system). In the area of controller-pilot communications via datalink, the current CPDLC is applicable only above FL285. The SESAR concept considers an evolution towards digital voice channels and to an increase use of CPDLC, including its extension below FL285.

The increased connectivity between air and ground required to support the future concept will be realised in a multilink environment, according to the Master Plan principles of service-orientation and scalability, of which the future air-ground terrestrial datalink (LDACS) is a key element, which will support also the resilience of aircraft navigation.

The objective is to increase A/G connectivity, and avoid that traffic growth is blocked due to the lack of availability of VHF frequencies. Once digital voice is implemented, it is foreseen that part of the spectrum currently allocated to ATC will could be available for other aeronautical applications. The solution should bring as well a potential increase of the level of security compared to current operations, e.g. by using technical means to identify where a transmission comes from for verification purposes. L-DACS (L-band Digital Aeronautical Communications System) is a multi-application cellular broadband system capable of simultaneously providing various kinds of Air Traffic Services (including ATN B3) and Aeronautical Operational Control (AOC) communications services in all environments. L-DACS is optimized for data link communications, and is also able to support aircraft navigation

The SESAR solution will contribute to:

• Provide a data-link capability able to deal with the increased communications needs in support of the expected traffic growth.
• Support future operational concepts requiring more stringent technical A/G datalink communication performance (reduced latency compared to current datalink).
• Improve the resilience of GNSS, and potential contribution to the rationalization of the CNS infrastructure (spectrum efficiency).
• Contribute to the virtualisation of ATC services through the geographically independent communications concept enabled by the digital voice service.