Don WillisFederal Aviation Administration

Washington, DCMarch 30, 2004

There are no benefits to compromising safety…only dire

consequences

Assessment of Radio Spectrum Depletion in the U.S. in the VHF Comm Band

F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N • A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N

Objective

To determine the availability of

frequencies to meet the FAA’s

spectrum requirements until 2015

F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N • A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N

Methodology

• How many new en-route sectors can be accommodated in today’s environment at all 20 centers…• Without implementation of 23 Initiatives?• With the implementation of some Initiatives?• With optimization?

• How many new terminal requirements can be supported at 4 major OEP airports…• Without implementation of 23 Initiatives?• With the implementation of some Initiatives?• With optimization?

F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N • A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N

Spectrum Depletion Analysis(Without Implementation of 23 Initiatives)

ZAU41 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZDC20 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZID96 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZNY86 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZOB45 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZTL02 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZAB65 M134.025 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZJX11 M120.975 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZKC97 M135.650 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZMA67 M135.900 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZME21 M124.975 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZHU81 M135.275 M133.825 --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZMP28 M127.675 M133.275 --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZOA36 M132.825 M125.825 --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZDV30 M119.975 M125.825 M125.125 M134.200 --- --- --- --- ---ZLA35 M118.175 M132.975 M125.975 M134.175 --- --- --- --- ---ZSE07 M119.675 M124.175 M120.450 M121.075 M134.650 M127.025 --- --- ---ZBW02 M123.675 M134.075 M126.625 M127.875 M128.625 M121.375 M125.425 --- ---ZFW86 M124.325 M126.075 M125.225 M120.575 M127.275 M128.625 --- --- ---ZLC15 M120.875 M124.850 M124.275 M123.775 M121.400 M133.700 M128.525 M125.525 M132.925

ZAU41 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZDC20 ---- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZID96 ---- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZNY86 ---- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZOB45 ---- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZTL02 ---- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZAB65 M134.025 M119.625 M126.975 M135.775 ---- --- --- --- ---ZJX11 ---- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZKC97 M135.650 ---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZMA67 M120.475 M125.450 M124.100 M133.425 M127.975 ----ZME21 M124.975 ---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZHU81 M128.625 M135.275 --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZMP28 M127.675 M133.275 --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZOA36 M127.750 M125.550 M125.050 M119.425 M124.525 M126.475 M128.525ZDV30 M126.350 ---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZLA35 M118.175 M134.175 M132.975 M121.025 M125.375 M125.975 --- --- ---ZSE07 M124.175 M125.425 M126.450 M119.725 M120.450 M121.275 M124.875 --- ---ZBW02 M124.825 M118.925 M127.525 M123.675 M126.625 M132.825 M134.225 --- ---ZFW86 M121.225 M120.575 M124.525 M126.075 M133.375 ---- --- --- ---ZLC15 M121.050 M128.525 M134.375 M124.275 M125.825 ---- ---- ---- ---

HIG

H (

FL

>=

24

0,

<=

32

9)

Ru

n 7

Ru

n 8

Ru

n 9

TOTALS 47

TOTALS 53

Ru

n 5

Ru

n 6

SU

PE

R-H

IGH

(F

L >

= 3

30

)

Spectrum Availability Prior to 23 Initiatives

Ru

n 1

Ru

n 2

Sector ID

Ru

n 3

Ru

n 4

F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N • A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N

Analysis –Con’t(Without Implementation of 23 Initiatives)

ZAU41 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZDC20 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZID96 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZNY86 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZOB45 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZTL02 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZAB65 M134.025 M119.625 M127.500 M133.575 M134.625 M135.775 --- --- ---ZJX11 ---- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZKC97 M135.650 M133.375 --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZMA67 M120.275 M120.775 M124.100 M125.675 M127.825 M132.025 M133.425 --- ---ZME21 M124.975 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZHU81 M128.625 M120.575 M125.525 M126.275 M135.275 --- --- --- ---ZMP28 M127.675 M133.275 --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZOA36 M127.750 M119.425 M125.050 M125.550 M126.100 M127.075 --- --- ---ZDV30 M126.350 M121.400 M124.725 M125.875 M127.100 --- --- --- ---ZLA35 M118.175 M118.825 M119.600 M121.325 M125.375 M125.975 M132.300 --- ---ZSE07 M124.175 M119.725 M120.450 M121.275 M123.875 M124.625 M125.575 M126.150 ---ZBW02 M124.825 M118.925 M120.750 M123.675 M126.825 M127.525 M132.825 --- ---ZFW86 M121.225 M120.575 M124.575 M133.350 --- --- --- --- ---ZLC15 M121.050 M124.925 M125.850 M126.625 M128.475 M132.925 M133.775 M134.375 ---

JFK --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

ORD --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

ATL --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

DFW --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Sector ID

Ru

n 3

Ru

n 4

Spectrum Availability Prior to 23 Initiatives

Ru

n 1

Ru

n 2

Ru

n 5

Ru

n 6

LO

W (

FL

= 0

00

, <

= 2

39

)

Ru

n 7

Ru

n 8

Ru

n 9

TOTALS 68

TOTALS 0

TE

RM

INA

L

F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N • A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N

Analysis – Con’t(With Implementation of Some Initiatives)

135.85 135.95 123.575

ZAU41 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- *--- --- --- ---ZDC20 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Y --- --- --- ---ZID96 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Y Y --- ---ZNY86 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZOB45 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZTL02 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZAB65 M118.925 M128.125 M127.075 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- *--- *--- *--- 9 24ZJX11 M121.875 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Y --- --- 3 3ZKC97 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Y --- --- --- ---ZMA67 M120.275 M120.875 M121.075 M124.925 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 8 10ZME21 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---ZHU81 M126.325 M123.925 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 6ZMP28 M133.275 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 3 3ZOA36 M118.125 M124.975 M121.325 M125.825 M127.725 M124.375 M134.700 M123.625 --- --- Y --- --- 6 25ZDV30 M120.975 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Y --- --- 4ZLA35 M132.300 M120.425 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 12 24ZSE07 M125.275 M126.075 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 20 25ZBW02 M120.675 M127.275 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Y --- --- 7ZFW86 M127.875 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- *--- 7 12ZLC15 M126.525 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Y --- --- --- 25

5 (6) 3 (5) 1 (3) 68 168ZAU41 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Y ---- --- --- ---ZDC20 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---- Y --- --- ---ZID96 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---- ---- Y --- ---ZNY86 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- *--- ---- --- --- ---ZOB45 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---- ---- --- --- ---ZTL02 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---- ---- --- --- ---ZAB65 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- *---- *---- Y 6 10ZJX11 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---- ---- --- --- ---ZKC97 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---- Y --- --- ---ZMA67 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---- *---- --- --- 6ZME21 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---- ---- --- --- ---ZHU81 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- *---- ---- Y --- 3ZMP28 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---- ---- --- 1 3ZOA36 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Y ---- --- 4 10ZDV30 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---- ---- --- --- 10ZLA35 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---- Y --- 9 10ZSE07 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---- ---- --- 10 10ZBW02 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Y ---- --- --- 2ZFW86 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Y ---- --- --- 1ZLC15 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Y ---- Y --- 10

5 (8) 3 (5) 4 30 75

Additional Optimization & 23 Initiatives

Flight Inspection Frequencies

AFTRCC Freq****Sector

ID

Ru

n 6

Ru

n 7 w/o

Intermod. Criteria

w/o Air-Show or

Fire-Fighting

SU

PE

R-H

IGH

(F

L >

= 3

30

)

Ru

n 4

Ru

n 5

Spectrum Availability With Some of the 23 Initiatives

Ru

n 8

Ru

n 9

Ru

n 1

0

Ru

n 1

Ru

n 2

Ru

n 3

Add'l Freq. Runs

TOTALS 28

TOTALS 0

HIG

H (

FL

>=

24

0,

<=

32

9)

Notes: *--- indicates that the frequency can be assigned if inter-modulation problems are resolved Values in ( ) indicate the total number of potential assignments, including *---

F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N • A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N

Analysis - Con’t(With Implementation of Some Initiatives)

135.85 135.95 123.575

ZAU41 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- *--- Y --- ---ZDC20 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Y --- --- ---ZID96 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Y --- --- --- ---ZNY86 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- *--- --- *--- --- ---ZOB45 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- *--- --- ---ZTL02 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- *--- --- --- ---ZAB65 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- *--- *--- Y 4 12ZJX11 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Y --- 2ZKC97 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Y --- 2 2ZMA67 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- *--- --- 3 11ZME21 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 1 1ZHU81 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Y *--- --- 5ZMP28 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 3 3ZOA36 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Y 8 28ZDV30 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- *--- --- --- 9 13ZLA35 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Y *--- --- 20 30ZSE07 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 30 30ZBW02 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Y --- 8 13ZFW86 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Y --- --- 4 4ZLC15 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- *--- Y 4 30

3 (6) 4 (10) 5 (8) 65 179

JFK --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 1

ORD --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- *--- --- --- --- ---

ATL --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 2

DFW --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- *--- --- 60 (1) 0 0 (1) 0 9TOTALS 0

TE

RM

INA

L

TOTALS 0

Add'l Freq. Runs

LO

W (

FL

= 0

00

, <

= 2

39

)

Ru

n 1

0

Ru

n 1

Ru

n 2

Ru

n 3

Ru

n 4

Ru

n 5

Spectrum Availability With Some of the 23 Initiatives

Ru

n 8

Ru

n 9

Additional Optimization & 23 Initiatives

Flight Inspection Frequencies

AFTRCC Freq****Sector

ID

Ru

n 6

Ru

n 7 w/o

Intermod. Criteria

w/o Air-Show or

Fire-Fighting

Notes: *--- indicates that the frequency can be assigned if inter-modulation problems are resolved Values in ( ) indicate the total number of potential assignments, including *---

F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N • A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N

Analysis - Con’t(With Optimization)

• En-route: To support one additional high sector requirement for ZNY, the following re-tunes are required

• Terminal: To support one additional departure/arrival requirement at JFK, the following re-tunes are required

F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N • A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N

Spectrum Depletion Analysis Summary

• Without Optimization of Existing Environment• En-route: No channels available for Super High, High,

and Low sectors in ZAU, ZDC, ZID, ZNY, ZOB, and ZTL• Terminal: No channels available for JFK, ATL, ORD,

and DFW

• With Optimization of Existing Environment• Provides the potential ability to satisfy additional

requirements• Examples

• En-route: 6 existing facilities need to be re-tuned to accommodate 1 new high enroute sector in ZNY

• Terminal: 5 existing facilities need to be re-tuned to accommodate 1 new departure/arrival requirement at JFK

F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N • A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N

Until 2015, We Can Support:• En-route

• Without Optimization• Up to 3 new super-high, high, or low enroute sectors for the

Eastern half of the US• Up to 30 new super-high, high, or low enroute sectors in

the U.S. if all commercial and business aircraft are equipped with 760 channel radios

• With Optimization• May be able to satisfy about 3-5 additional requirements in

the Eastern half of the US with some difficulty and cost

• Terminal• Without Optimization

• No frequencies currently available for the 4 OEP airports used in the study. Other OEP airports will likely have similar or limited number of available channels.

• With Optimization• About 2-3 additional requirements per OEP airport may be

satisfied

F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N • A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N

To Survive Until 2015• Restrict Air Traffic operational requirements

(e.g., National Airspace Re-Design)• Obtain funding to complete the following:

• Procure maintenance radios for AF technicians (frees up 2 flight inspection frequencies below 136 MHz)

• Move users above 136 MHz (Treasury, Customs, AFTRCC, etc.)

• Procure equipment for increased co-site interference mitigation

• “Optimize” the VHF spectrum in congested areas• Procure equipment and resources for more selective keying

(frees up approx. 113 frequency assignments)• Procure equipment and resources for 6 kHz “off-set” carrier

frequency use• Require all commercial and business aircraft to upgrade to

760 channel radios• Air Traffic complete Phase II of the AT frequency audit

F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N • A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N

BackgroundInformation

F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N • A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N

VHF 23 Initiatives

• Developed by a group of experts to obtain additional spectrum resources or to make available current spectrum resources through various proposals

Regulatory Technical Administrative

F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N • A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N

VHF 23 Initiatives(Regulatory Proposals)

Review FCC frequency utilization plan and investigate the use of UNICOM and other FCC aeronautical frequencies for ATC

Investigate the possibility of using FSS channels for ATC, including the frequencies 123.6 through 123.65 MHz

Review fire-fighting frequency assignment policy

Review policy for AWOS and ASOS frequency use

Review air show frequency policy

F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N • A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N

VHF 23 Initiatives(Technical Proposals)

Investigate use of part of 121.5 MHz guard band for ATC channels

Investigate use of the band 136-137 MHz Investigate use of existing communications air/ground radios

on VOR frequencies for AWOS and ASOS (broadcast only) Investigate offset operation (+/- 6 to 10 kHz off-tuned from the

primary frequency) for high altitude use Investigate lowering ground control transmit antennas Investigate advantages of optimizing equipment location Investigate co-site mitigation techniques, for example, new

technologies such as active interference cancellers, and testing to determine use of lower transmit powers

F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N • A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N

VHF 23 Initiatives(Administrative Proposals)

Conduct Air Traffic audit of ATC frequencies Investigate alternate frequencies for flight check Investigate use of law enforcement channels Review operational coverage requirements for communications

facilities Review ground control sub-band Review use of two VHF DoD common channels Modify FAA data base to accept additional data which would allow

tighter “packing” of frequencies Improve coordination with ARINC on their VHF frequency usage Investigate increased use of select keying and voting systems Re-use ground control frequencies at high altitude (“vertical

separation”) Review use of high-gain (directional) antennas