An Aviation Communications System Based on Modified Wireless LAN Components

摘要

Wireless networking technologies, based on the IEEE 802.11 family of standards, have seen wide acceptance to provided mobile connectivity. This paper will show a method for constructing an Air-to-Ground and Ground-to-Ground digital communications system which draws from mature standards, like 802.11, to provide similar connectivity between aviation assets. A future FAA communications system may be realized without significant modifications to existing, commercially-available, off-the-shelf, 802.11a equipment. This equipment will be re-tuned in firmware onto Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) controlled spectrum, the signals will be amplified, and new antennas will be added. The final system may provide 8 channels of 6 Mbps communications at ranges in excess of 35 miles with higher speeds available at closer ranges. This system will need to be prototyped and flight tested to verify the viability of this design for future Communications, Navigation, Surveillance and Automation applications.