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ARINC Solutions for the Implementation of ATN CPDLC Services Over VDL Mode 2

ARINC Solutions for the Implementation of ATN CPDLC Services Over VDL Mode 2, September 2012 of 14

CONTENTS

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................... 3 1.1 VDL COVERAGE THAT SUPPORTS ALL AIRSPACE USERS ........................................... 4 1.2 MANDATORY NEED FOR POA ..................................................................................... 4

2 ATN/VDLM2 NETWORK ARCHITECTURE ........................................................ 6 2.1 PROPOSED ATN NETWORK ARCHITECTURE ................................................................ 7

3 ARINC - KEY STRENGTHS AND BENEFITS ....................................................... 8

4 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................. 9 4.1 DOCUMENTS ................................................................................................................ 9 4.2 TERMS AND ACRONYMS .............................................................................................. 9

5 ARINC EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS ................................................ 10 5.1 ARINC OVERVIEW ................................................................................................... 10 5.2 RELATED PAST EXPERIENCE ..................................................................................... 12

6 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ............................................................................. 14 6.1 USEFUL RESOURCES AND DOCUMENTATION ............................................................. 14


1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and Functional Airspace Blocks (FABs) need to comply with the European Commission DataLink Implementing Rule (DLS IR), which has both commercial and technical implications. Some of these include the financial investment into an ATN/CPDLC end system, securing the provision of air/ground VDLM2 coverage, and interfacing with adjacent ANSPs. Since 2003 ARINC have made a significant investment in the development, implementation, and operation of a high-availability backbone ATN/VDLM2 network in Europe. ARINC proposes a partnership approach for the provision of an ATN/VDLM2 network within the airspace controlled by the ANSP. ARINC strongly believes that this approach takes advantage of synergies between the ANSP and ARINC and allows for the most effective and efficient method to meet the requirements for an ATN/CPDLC service. The aim of the partnership is to keep the costs of both parties as low as possible whilst providing a high level of serviceability. Bringing the ANSP and ARINC into a partnership offers significant benefits to both parties. The ANSP obtains a turn-key air/ground VDLM2 communication service with little upfront investment. In addition, the ANSP maintains control over the security and maintenance of the network components. Equally important for the ANSP is the fact that the air/ground coverage can be implemented with short period of time by combining the resources of the ANSP and ARINC.


1.1 VDL Coverage That Supports All Airspace Users A key requirement of the DLS IR is for the ATN/CPDLC service provided by the ANSPs to be made available to all airspace users, regardless of AOC preferences of each individual airline. Following two years of industry discussions, with the involvement of Eurocontrol and IATA, a conclusion was reached that the only means to accomplish this is for the ANSPs to ensure that VDL coverage is available from both existing CSPs. This is the so-called “dual coverage” model.

Figure 1: Dual Coverage Model required by the DLS IR

1.2 Mandatory Need for POA ARINC would like to make it absolutely clear that the current state of avionics technology requires that the vast majority of aircraft log on to POA first, detect the availability of VDLM2 (AOA or ATN), and then switch over from POA to VDLM2. Under the current condition a VDLM2 network on its own (without POA) will simply not work as practically no aircraft will be able to find it.


It is true that in the medium to long term some avionics will start being able to log on directly to VDLM2. However, it is critical to remember that it could take several years until older avionics are upgraded to this level of capability, especially if there is a cost to airlines for performing the upgrade. Therefore the POA capability must remain in place as long as the ANSPs are trying to offer an ATN/CPDLC service to as many airspace users as possible. It must be pointed out that ARINC does not have a preference for POA over VDLM2. However, ARINC’s objective is to provide air/ground communication services to airspace users. As long as there are sufficient numbers of users relying on POA, then it must be supported. If it is needed as a log-on method for ATC purposes then there is an even stronger argument to maintain POA. ARINC recommends that POA is not treated as a separate network from VDLM2. Instead, POA should be considered an integral part of the VHF air/ground network to be used for ATC DataLink communications. The additional cost for supporting POA is marginal compared to the investment required to implement and support ATN/VDLM2. POA can be implemented over the same infrastructure as VDLM2 – within the same physical ground station and over the same network interface – and the only difference is the addition of a VHF radio and an antenna. In fact the radio itself is identical to the VDLM2 radio, but operating in a different software mode.


2 ATN/VDLM2 Network Architecture The figure below illustrates the overall architecture adopted as part of the LINK 2000+ functional model for the provision of data link services using the ICAO ATN. This organises the overall system into three principal domains: the Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) domain, the Air-Ground Communications Service Provider (ACSP) domain, and the Aircraft domain. The physical architecture may be different, with functional elements lumped in common physical components. The ANSP domain includes (among others) the Air Traffic Service Unit (ATSU) Data Processing System, an ATN End System and an ATN ground-ground router. The “Data Processing System” is a general term for the technical infrastructure of the Air Traffic Control Centre where data link functionality is to be integrated. This architecture supports typical functions like Surveillance and Flight Data Processing, Operational Display, Data and Voice Communications, etc. The ANSP domain can comprise one or several ATSUs. The ACSP domain comprises the ground system supporting the air-ground communications network (this includes the VDL Mode 2 VHF ground stations), and air-ground and ground-ground ATN routers operated by the ACSP. This is the service that ARINC will provide for the ANSPs. The Aircraft domain includes (among others) the Aircraft Avionics System, the ATN End System, an ATN airborne router and the airborne components of the air-ground communications network.

Figure 2: Functional architecture of an ATN/CPDLC Communication System


2.1 Proposed ATN Network Architecture The Air/Ground Routers (AGRs) and Ground/Ground Routers (GGRs) (GGRs are also known as BISs – Boundary Intermediate Systems) are at the core of any ATN/CPDLC network. ARINC proposes an ATN/VDLM2 network architecture which takes advantage of existing AGR/GGR deployments in Europe. Specifically, the AGRs and GGRs already used for Maastricht UAC can be extended to support an ATN/CPDLC service for other ANSPs. This has the added benefit of streamlining CPDLC handovers between ANSPs utilising the same AGRs (for example between Maastricht and DFS). It also reduces AGR proliferation, which maximises the utilisation of VDLM2 bandwidth by reducing the amount of traffic generated within the ATN/CPDLC network, particularly during handovers. This solution is represented in Figure 3 below.

Figure 3: Proposed ATN/VDLM2 Architecture

The BIS-to-BIS interface supported by ARINC is either CLNP over Ethernet or IPSNDCF. ARINC will implement the required policy and configuration changes on the ARINC AGRs and BISs in London and Frankfurt in order to allow the ground ATN routing to be established. ARINC will also provide the VDL Ground Station (VGS) equipment required for the air/ground VHF coverage. The equipment will be installed on appropriate ANSP premises at airports across the country, in order to provide the required VHF coverage. For ANSPs requiring high level of service availability additional VGSs can be deployed to provide resilient VHF coverage across the ANSP’s airspace.


3 ARINC - KEY STRENGTHS AND BENEFITS The key benefits of ARINC’s proposal are briefly summarised below: • Experience with ATN/VDLM2 – The PETAL IIe programme in 2001 provided ARINC and EUROCONTROL with a valuable opportunity to validate our respective system capabilities and interoperability. The collective lessons learned from that programme were applied in 2003 when ARINC provisioned an ATN/VDL Mode 2 network for the Link2000+ Pioneer Programme. This coupled with the operational experience gained over the last five years of supporting Link2000+ has provided ARINC with a level of experience that is unmatched today. • Proven Reliability – The service availability demonstrated by the Link2000+ network since 2003 has been 99.99017%. • Low Risk, Harmonised Solution – As the first Datalink service provider to deploy an ATN/VDL Mode 2 compliant service in Europe, Middle East, Asia and the Americas, ARINC’s approach offers a low risk, harmonised solution for the ANSP to effectively achieve the LINK 2000+ Programme objectives. ARINC‘s comprehensive organisation of Datalink service professionals will ensure the success of the programme and support the ANSP needs to comply with the technical, operational and business objectives of the LINK 2000+ Programme. • The World’s Leading Air/Ground Datalink Provider - In 2010, ARINC remains at the forefront of Air/Ground Datalink communications, supporting over 10,500 aircraft worldwide, and carrying 40 million messages each month, some 70% of the world’s Air/Ground data traffic each month. ARINC has deployed the world’s most extensive VDL Mode 2 infrastructure now totaling more than 350 ground stations in the United States, Europe, Middle East, and Asia, with integration and test stations provided to the factory sites of Boeing, Airbus, Rockwell Collins, Honeywell and Teledyne. Air/Ground communications is a fundamental and core activity for ARINC • Strong airline user relationships - ARINC is the primary air/ground service provider to Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), easyJet, Etihad, FlyNiki, FedEx and ATI. These carriers are pioneers in the Link2000+ programme and ARINC will utilise this strong relationship to ensure the continued success of this service. • Frequency Management Expertise – ARINC has extensive experience with Datalink frequency management. Significant portion of the VHF coverage in North America is provided by multiple overlapping frequencies. At some airports the number of frequencies is as many as 10. ARINC’s complex frequency management strategy is aimed at maximising the utilization of each frequency in order to preserve the scarce RF resources. Furthermore, ARINC has longstanding involvement in industry forums related to frequency management topics. • Avionics Expertise – Since 1999 ARINC has instituted a rigorous Avionics Qualification Program (AQP). This program provides the airline community with the capability to determine that avionics systems conform to key requirements of the avionics specifications. It also permits the capability of validating end-to-end interoperability between the avionics and a ground-based end system. This validation capability will be of great benefit during the testing and introduction of multi-frequency VDL Mode 2 operation. • Outstanding Quality of Service - Outstanding service levels are routinely achieved, through diligent management of the service infrastructure, and an unparalleled relationship management with the specialist Datalink operations and procedures departments in each of the 150 airlines and 30 Air Traffic Control Providers (ATCP) that ARINC serves today.


4 REFERENCES 4.1 Documents

[1] Generic Requirements for a LINK 2000+ Air/Ground Communications Service Provider (ACSP) – ref: LINK 2000+/LIT/ACSP/GEN, Version 1.6

[2] Eurocontrol Specification on DataLink services, v2.1, Jan 2009

[3] Eurocontrol Link2000+ Guidance to Ground Implementers, V1.1, December 2009

[4] Eurocontrol Link2000+ Network Planning Document, V3.5, March 2012

[5] Joint Eurocontrol / IATA Presentation on ATN/VDLM2 Service Provision, 29 March

2012 4.2 Terms and Acronyms ACARS Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System A/G Air/Ground AGR Air/Ground Router ANSP Air Navigation Service Provider AOA ACARS Over AVLC ATC Air Traffic Control ATN Aeronautical Telecommunications Network BGP Border Gateway Protocol BIS Boundary Intermediate System (this is the same as a GGR) CPDLC Controller Pilot DataLink Communications CPS Central Processor Segment CSP Communications Service Provider DLS IR DataLink Services Implementing Rule EIGRP Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol FAB Functional Airspace Block FANS Future Air Navigation Services GGR Ground/Ground Router IBGP Interior Border Gateway Protocol IGP Interior gateway Protocol MPLS Multi-Protocol Label Switching NAT Network Address Translation NR Network Router OSPF Open Shortest Path First POA Plain Old ACARS VGS VDLM2 Ground Station


5 ARINC EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS 5.1 ARINC Overview ARINC is a $1 billion, ISO 9001:2000-certified company that is recognised as the leading provider of communications infrastructure, systems engineering and information technology solutions for five major industries: aviation, airports, defence, government and surface transportation. ARINC systems and services contribute to improving safety, security, effectiveness and efficiency of aviation operations and provide more reliable transportation and communication networks. ARINC has an international presence in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas. As always, the focus is on meeting the needs of our customers — today and tomorrow. Incorporated December 2, 1929, Aeronautical Radio, Inc., was chartered by the US Federal Radio Commission (later to become the Federal Communications Commission - FCC) to serve as the airline industry's "single licensee and coordinator of radio communication outside of the government." The corporation's stock was held by the four major US air carriers of the day. Soon the company, known in the industry as ARINC, took on responsibility for all ground-based aeronautical radio stations and for ensuring station compliance with FCC rules and regulations. From this base technology, we expanded our understanding of—and contributions to—the rapidly emerging world of transportation communications, continuing to support the commercial aviation industry, as well as the U.S. military. Almost 80 years later, we continue to innovate and expand our capabilities to serve the aviation, airports, defence, government, and transportation industries. As always, our focus is on meeting the needs of our customers—today and tomorrow. ARINC produced the avionics standards that the global aviation industry used as its foundation. Today, our services are used by virtually all of the world’s carriers, and ARINC continues to set technical standards for the industry. ARINC is recognized as the leading provider of communications infrastructure, systems engineering and information technology solutions for five major industries: aviation, airports, defence, government, energy, and surface transportation. Our systems and services contribute to improving safety, security, effectiveness and efficiency of civil and military aviation operations and provide more reliable transportation and communication networks. We are also the leading airport systems integrator. Over 260 airlines carrying more than 300 million passengers yearly use our information technology products and services at more than 165 airports, cruise ships, and major hotels worldwide. Today, our services are used by virtually all of the world’s carriers, and we continue to set technical standards for the industry. Our systems and services contribute to improving safety, security, effectiveness and efficiency of civil and military aviation operations and provide more reliable transportation and communication networks. Partners and Owners of the Company ARINC is owned by The Carlyle Group, a private equity firm. We join a select group of companies that are owned by one of the world's largest private equity firms with $75.6bn under management. Carlyle invests in companies that demonstrate great potential and works with them to maximize growth. Leaving the day-to-day operation to our current management team means our customers will continue to receive the same level of service and quality products they have come to expect. In addition, Carlyle has very significant aerospace, defence, and government sector experience, which aligns well with our markets and


businesses. We are already exploring synergies within the Carlyle portfolio of companies that will allow us to provide our customers with an even wider choice of products and solutions. Technical Capacity ARINC has employees in 111 offices supporting customers in 140 countries. ARINC has seven business units dedicated to the aviation industry. ARINC’s business units work together and in partnership with our customers to deliver cost-effective, technically sound solutions that exceed customer expectations of quality and value. Our commitment to excellence is manifest in our accomplishments, which include improving global aviation communications and air traffic management; enhancing service at airports; and increasing operational performance of defence, government and commercial systems. ARINC have a secure and stable direct workforce of more than 3,200 employees with minimal employee turnover. Our expertise and seasoned staff enable a clear understanding of the processes involved in meeting challenging programme time-scales, demanding technical requirements and successful product deliveries within cost and schedule. Quality Management Certificates and Statements The centerpiece of our ISO 9001:2000 status is our Quality Management System (QMS), a compilation of ARINC’s best practice examples from previous successful contract performance that includes our engineering, technical, manufacturing, programmatic, and contracting expertise. We continually improve the effectiveness of our QMS through internal audits, analysis, corrective/preventive actions, management reviews, and customer feedback. We are committed to continuously improving our quality procedures by identifying, documenting, and implementing best practices. The benefit of ARINC’s use of ISO 9001:2000 is that ISO ensures our use of standardized work procedures, focuses our efforts on customer requirements, places emphasis on employee involvement, generates improved metrics, and continuously improves our QMS. ARINC has selected ISO as its quality standard because ISO improves customer satisfaction, increases productivity and efficiency, and reduces costs through continuous process improvement. The ultimate objective is customer satisfaction. The ARINC VDL ATN communication system is produced and maintained by the GLOBALink Engineering organization within ARINC. Due to the rigorous performance and availability standards expected of ATC communication systems, the GLOBALink Engineering group follows the industry best practices as identified by the Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute (SEI). The GLOBALink Engineering department has been validated by external assessment to meet the Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute CMMI Level 3 practices. The GLOBALink Engineering department's level 3 rating was first obtained in June of 2005 and "recertified" in May of 2008. Through these processes, the GLOBALink VDL ATN system can be maintained and upgraded with the latest features, technologies, and industry standards while ensuring that the highest of quality standards are met. To verify ARINC's GLOBALink organisational rating, please refer to the SEI website at http://sas.sei.cmu.edu/pars/pars.aspx.


5.2 Related Past Experience Since its inception, ARINC have been the leader in aviation communications, and ARINC has continued to expand its record of achievements ever since. But ARINC’s achievements go far beyond that. Today, ARINC is a $1 billion, ISO 9001-certified company – recognised as the leading provider of transportation communications and systems engineering solutions including airports, aviation, government, national defence and transportation. While ARINC have broadened its focus into other activities, air/ground communications remains ARINC’s core product. ARINC owns and operates the largest air/ground DataLink network in the world today, with over 1020 ground stations deployed in Europe, the Americas, and Asia supporting over 10,500 DataLink equipped aircraft and 40 Million messages each month. Since year 2000, ARINC have focused on developing the next-generation ATN compliant ATC DataLink service – VDL Mode 2. ARINC operates today a network of 357 VDL Mode 2 Ground Stations deployed in USA, Canada, Europe, Middle East and Asia, supporting more than 2,300 commercial VDL aircraft and 200 military aircraft for a total of more than 5.5 Million VDL messages each month. ARINC is continuing to successfully provide ATN services to UACC Maastricht and our Pioneer airline customers are performing the majority of ATN connections. Amongst these pioneer airlines are SAS, FlyNiki, easyJet, ATI and FedEx. Significant milestones related to ARINC’s VDL Mode 2 program are highlighted below in Table 1:


Year Milestones

1997 • ARINC initiates ATN/VDL Mode 2 program through major capital investment

1999 • ARINC develops comprehensive Avionics Qualification Program (AQP) for testing and validating VDL Mode 2-capable avionics

2000

• ARINC is first company to deploy a VDL Mode 2 capable ground station

• ARINC is first company to operationally demonstrate VDL ACARS over Aviation VHF Link Control (AOA) operational service in November 2000 with its partners, American Airlines and Rockwell Collins.

2001 • ARINC is first company to operationally demonstrate CPDLC ATN

capability during PETAL IIe with its partners American Airlines, EUROCONTROL and Rockwell Collins

2002

• ARINC is first company to demonstrate CPDLC ATN/VDL Mode 2 capability as its partner, the FAA, declares Initial Daily Use in Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC)

• ARINC establishes VDL Mode 2/AOA certification network in France to support Airbus

2003 • ARINC is awarded the Link2000+ pioneer contract and deploys an ATN network for UACC Maastricht within 6 months

2007 • ARINC is awarded the LinkIT contract by ENAV for the development of

an ATN network in Italy in conjunction with Selex SI and Selex Comms.

2009 • ARINC renews contract with UACC Maastricht for the provision of ATN CPDLC service

2010 • ARINC is the first CSP to successfully demonstrates a Multi-Frequency

Management (MFM) auto-tune capability for VDL Mode 2 communications during a test flight

2011 • ARINC is awarded a contract by Eurocontrol to deliver a VDL multi-

frequency laboratory test system for the EEC in Bretigny. The system was successfully delivered in December 2011.

2012

• ATN service contracts with NATS, DFS, and skyguide • Accelerated expansion of the VDL/ATN network in Europe • Technology refresh of the core ATN network components, contributing

to increased system capacity and additional capabilities.

Table 1: ARINC VDL Mode 2 Highlights


6 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 6.1 Useful Resources and Documentation ANSPs may find useful the online resources listed below. They contain information related to all aspects of an ATN/CPDLC implementation and are updated periodically with the latest developments.

• The main Eurocontrol Link2000+ programme web site is a good start for getting guidance specific to ANSPs. There is a section specific to ANSP with very useful guidance material. http://www.eurocontrol.int/services/link-2000-programme

• A Link2000+ wiki has been made available. It offers an opportunity to post questions and get answers from industry experts. http://publish.eurocontrol.int/link2000/wiki/index.php/Main_Page