Page 30 - 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

11.2 On-board data link infrastructure – Future

11.2.1 Introduction

This section explores the feasibility of using recent developments in on-board data link infrastructure. Future
on-board data link systems may also be divided into three categories:

i) Data link systems that are a part of and support the aircraft control domain (ACD) or the aircraft
information services (AIS) aircraft data domain. Planned developments here include the approval
of Inmarsat SwiftBroadband for safety services use and the introduction of a new Internet protocol
suite (IPS) that will utilize SwiftBroadband, VDL Mode 2 as well as new data links such as L-band digital
aeronautical communications system (LDACS) terrestrial data link, Iridium Certus and other "Future
SatCom" technologies for flight deck use.

ii) New data link systems that are a part of and support the cabin or the passenger information and
entertainment services (PIES) data domain. Future developments include the introduction of Ku-band
and Ka-band systems using high throughput satellites (HTS) and dual channel Ku-band systems such as
GoGo's 2KU system. In addition, there are new ATG networks and systems planned including an LTE-based
ATG planned by Inmarsat for the European region.
iii) Data link systems that are limited to ground use only. Future airport surface data communications systems
developments are an introduction of equipment utilizing commercial LTE as well as AeroMACS which
uses a dedicated 5.1 GHz band allocated for aviation use by ITU. These airport surface data systems are
not considered further in this Report since they will not be used inflight and therefore cannot support
flight tracking or real-time in-flight data streaming.

11.2.2 Internet protocol suite and new links for future DataComm
New network infrastructure for safety services based on the modern Internet protocol suite (IPS) is planned
to meet future SESAR/FAA NextGen future DataComm needs. The airline and manufacturer industry body
SAE-ITC Airlines Electronics Engineering Committee (AEEC) is considering beginning work to create a detailed
technical definition of IPS for aeronautical safety services in a new ARINC Standard. This specification is to be
based on the ICAO Doc 9896 IPS definition and on prevalent commercial IP network technology (e.g. IETF RFC
2460 for IPv6) with the modifications necessary to support aeronautical safety services. It is anticipated that
IPS will use multiple line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight subnetworks that operate in 'protected' spectrum
allocated by ITU and ICAO for safety services, including Inmarsat SwiftBroadband, Iridium Certus, AeroMACS,
future SatCom and LDACS systems, and possibly VDL Mode 2.

11.2.3 Iridium NEXT/Certus

Iridium will begin the replacement of the entire Iridium satellite constellation of 66 low Earth Orbit satellites
including 6 in-orbit spares. This replacement network is called Iridium NEXT and will begin in 2016 and will
be completed by late 2017. The first aircraft equipage and regulatory operational assessments will take place
in early 2017 for inclusion in testing and development of the ICAO GADSS program. With the increased
capacity and much greater bandwidth (up to 1.4 Mbps), Iridium will continue to provide safety voice and data
communications in addition to an entire new capability of safety and non-safety services including flight data
recorder (FDR) download and other services utilizing secure IP streaming capability.

11.2.4 Conclusion – On-board data link infrastructure (Future)

Due to the long-time scales involved in developing new avionics data link systems and equipping a significant
number of aircraft already in service, the future on-board data link systems described above may not be suitable
in the near term. In the long term for 2020 and beyond, use of these data links systems could be considered.

20