Evolution of LDACS protocol to support safety aeronautical communications by satellite

摘要

Air traffic growth will probably lead the terrestrial ATM communication means to saturation around 2015-2025. The ATM needs are evolving to propose solutions that allow to cope with the future air traffic. In Europe, the SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) program is leading the evolution to the new operational concept for the European ATM. In this framework, new communications systems are under study to ensure the future communication services that will not be supported by the current systems, mainly based on VHF radio communications. Taking into account the safety and security requirements that aeronautical community imposes to any new system, it is necessary to start the definition of the new communication means to be ready in the required timeframe. Satellite communications will probably play a role in the future air communications infrastructure. Current satellite communications standards that are used in air communications do not fit to the requirements announced by the aviation community. In this paper, it is presented how a terrestrial safety communications protocol (AMACS) could be modified to satisfy satellite constraints. AMACS has been proposed as candidate for terrestrial communications in L band within the frame of SESAR.