Next Generation Air/Ground Communications (NEXCOM) Presented to ATN 2002 London, England 25 September 2002 James H. Williams Communications Integrated Product Team Lead Federal Aviation Administration

2 Overview NEXCOM Acquisition Program Update – Program Objectives – Program Elements – Transition to NEXCOM NEXCOM Voice Features – Basic Voice – Enhanced Voice NEXCOM Data Link Transition

3 NEXCOM Objectives National Airspace System Infrastructure Sustainment National Airspace System Infrastructure Modernization 1422 RTRs 61 AFSSs, 14 FSSs 793 RCAGs 1854 RCOs 175 TRACONs 346 Towers 720 BUECs

4 NEXCOM Acquisition Program Elements System Demo Program Avionics Multimode Digital Radio Analog & digital modes in one radio Digital capability Ground System VHF T/R Radio Interface Unit Ground Network Interface Analog & digital in single cockpit radio Show NEXCOM system architecture and commercial avionics viability

5 NEXCOM Multimode Digital Radio

6 NEXCOM Ground System Segment Voice Switch Voice 2V2D Configuration GNI DLAP ATN Router Data Combined Voice & Data Avionics RCAG VHFTx/Rx M/S Radio Interface Unit UHFTx/Rx M/S BUEC VHFTx/Rx UHF Tx/Rx Radio Interface Unit CMU Voice Data

7 NEXCOM Avionics FAA/Manufacturer Agreements Airlines General Aviation Business Aviation

8 NEXCOM System Demonstration Program Objectives – Oct 02: VDL Mode 3 Technology viability – Oct 03: NEXCOM Architecture feasibility – Oct 04: Operational suitability

9 National Airspace System Transition to NEXCOM Dem/Val Analog Voice, 25 KHz Initial Datalink (VDL-2) Full Operational Evaluation & Exercise of Digital Voice and Datalink (VDL-3) Next 5 years VDL-2 Datalink Analog Voice 5-10 years Maintain Terminal Analog Voice Implement VDL-3 Digital Voice Expand Datalink VDL-2 Applications Enroute High Airspace National Airspace RCAG ARTCC VDL-3 Link years Expand Enroute Digital Voice (VDL-3) Initiate Terminal Digital Voice (VDL-3) Increase Datalink Capacity & Capability (VDL-2 & VDL-3) Terminal Airspace years Expand Digital Voice (VDL-3) to all domains Expand Datalink Capacity in all domains and all applications (VDL-2 & VDL-3) AFSS

10 NEXCOM Key Basic Voice Features Anti-Blocking – Resolution for stepped-on transmissions Controller Override – Controller can preempt ongoing aircraft transmission for urgent control message – Resolution for aircraft “stuck mike”

11 NEXCOM Key Enhanced Voice Features Enhanced Voice features require a context management application to enable the system to identify specific aircraft Next Frequency – Uplink of next frequency for pilot concurrence/action – Coupled with CPDLC transfer of communications Urgent Downlink Request – Cockpit-generated data message to controller that pilot has an urgent transmission to make

12 NEXCOM Data Link Transition Increased use of data link is essential to increasing the capacity of the NAS CPDLC is FAA’s application for air traffic control messages FAA views VDL Mode 2 and VDL Mode 3 as complementary, not competing technologies CPDLC Build 1 and 1a initially will be fielded on VDL-2 – Only viable technology in required time (2005 NAS-wide) – Stepping stone for data link use in air traffic control

13 NEXCOM Data Link Transition Growth in CPDLC Use – Increases system and user benefits but – Also drives up FAA costs CPDLC on VDL-3 means – Predictable costs to FAA – No added service costs to users Continued availability of CPDLC on VDL-2 – Independence of networks a safety backup benefit – FAA could not continue to fund message costs

14 Discussion

15 Spectrum Depletion The FAA predicts VHF Spectrum Saturation in the National Airspace System by 2009

16 Frequency Congestion Cost and Efficiency Implications Year Circuits (1000s) Increasing Cost and Difficulty of Provisioning New Circuits Unsatisfied Demand Reduces NAS Efficiency Historically, circuit growth has been 4% per year. Increasing cost/difficulty of placing new circuits reduces growth rate. Reduced growth rate implies a less-efficient NAS. Growth in A/G Circuit Demand # Deployed A/G Circuits 23 spectrum recovery initiatives (ASR)

17 NEXCOM System Architecture Voice Switch Voice 2V2D Configuration GNI DLAP ATN Router Data Combined Voice & Data Avionics RCAG VHFTx/Rx M/S Radio Interface Unit UHFTx/Rx M/S BUEC VHFTx/Rx UHF Tx/Rx Radio Interface Unit CMU Voice Data

18 System Demo I Equipment Air: MITRE Prototype Ground: ‘99 Configuration ITT MDR with FAA Prototype RIU Oct 02 Oct 03 Oct 04 Operational System Demo System Demo I Objective: Show VDL-3 technology is viable Demonstrates: Coverage Voice Quality Voice Override Integrated Voice and Data Objective: Show NEXCOM system architecture viability Demonstrates: Sector Handoffs ATN Network Interoperability System Management Commercial infusion Technology maturation Objective: Show commercial avionics certifiability and operational suitability Demonstrates: Operational digital voice Commercial avionics Human factors System Demo II System Demo II Equipment Air: MITRE & FAA Tech Center Prototypes Vendor Avionics (prototype) Ground: ITT MDR with FAA Prototype RIU DoD Participation Air Carrier Participation Operational System Demo Equipment Air: Vendor Avionics Ground: ITT MDR with FAA Prototype RIU & GNI DoD Participation Air Carrier Participation NEXCOM System Demonstration Program

19 NEXCOM Schedule System Demo Program 10/03 System Demo II 10/04 Operational Demo 10/02 System Demo I Multimode Digital Radio 7/01 Contract Award MDR deployment 10/02 In-Service Decision Rule Making 1/04 NPRM 1/02 RTCA Principles of Operation 6/03 Begin Formal Internal Coordination 6/04 Initiate Final Rule 6/05 Rule Published 8/03 Notice of Availability TSO 9/03 AEEC Approved Char. Avionics 10/02 Draft Characteristics Complete 8/04 Certified Aircraft 10/01 MOPS 12/09 Operational 6/05-12/09 Aircraft equip Ground System 10/02 RPDE Contract Award 10/01 Sys Reqs Doc 1/05 Full Scale Dev Contract Award Implementation Validation & Inter-Operability Tests with Airborne Avionics 4/02 SIR Release 10/07 Keysite 5/02 FAT 8/03 Notice of Availability TSO 9/03 AEEC Apprvd Char. 12/01 GIAs 5/03 Begin Deployment