Page 17 - ITU-T Focus Group on Aviation Applications of Cloud Computing for Flight Data Monitoring - Avionics and Aviation Communications Systems

ITU-T Focus Group on Aviation Applications of Cloud Computing for Flight Data Monitoring
Avionics and Aviation Communications Systems

8.5 Conclusions

• The total data volume associated with flight data recording at the latest common FDR standard of 1024
wps is considerably less than might be expected (less than 22 TB for 10,000 aircraft).
• The total bandwidth requirements to routinely transmit flight data at 1024 wps in real time (less than
117 Mbps total for 10,000 aircraft) is considerably less than might be expected.
• Many narrowband data link systems have the potential to be used to stream basic flight data since only
72 bps is required to continuously stream aircraft position data from any aircraft.

• Terrestrial data links cannot support extended overwater operations (EOO) which is a primary focus for GADSS.
• Existing Ku-band and Ka-band satellite data link systems have enough significant bandwidth to support
both routine flight data streaming and triggered transmission of flight data.
• Classic Aero (over the I3, I4 and MTSAT system) provides near global coverage, has had safety classification
for many years and has sufficient bandwidth to achieve some forms of limited data streaming.
• SwiftBroadband provides near global coverage, is expected to have safety classification in the near term
and provides enough bandwidth to support both routine flight data streaming and triggered transmission
of flight data
• Iridium provides 100% global coverage and has safety classification but does not have sufficient bandwidth
today to support streaming of most commonly used flight data (FDR) standards such as 256 wps or 512
wps. Iridium NEXT will have sufficient bandwidth.

9. Ground-based systems and services infrastructure

9.1 Current infrastructure

9.1.1 Introduction

This section explores using existing ground-based infrastructure and services for real-time flight data streaming
where appropriate. This section explores current computing capabilities and provides a high level summary
of each technology. This section is supported by Appendix 1 – Summary of ground-based infrastructure
capabilities.

Infrastructure that can be used to support real-time flight data streaming can be broken into several
components of technology, products and services. It is important to note that the content in Appendix 1 is
limited to available information from those organizations who participated or contributed to the work of WG4.

9.1.2 Summary of ground-based infrastructure capabilities
The table in Appendix 1 provides an overview of different communication service providers (CSPs) that could
potentially provide real-time flight data streaming solution. While numerous factors will influence final market
outcomes, it is probable that any real-time flight data streaming solution may require regulation based on the
anticipated ICAO SARPs for GADSS.

In addition, this Report is based on knowledge of existing operations and as such the data does not reflect
future equipage, commercial or technology changes.

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