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

Next Generation Air/Ground Communications System (NEXCOM)

Jim Eck

Air/Ground Communications Team Lead

Technical Operations Communications

April 20, 2004

Program Status Brief for ACP WG-CMontreal, Canada

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 2

National Airspace System Air/Ground Communications Infrastructure

• VHF and UHF ATC bands• Approximately 11,000 VHF

assignments• Approximately 40,000 VHF

and 10,000 UHF TX, RX & TCVRs

• Dedicated networks for each operational environment

• Limited restoral capabilities• Limited remote maintenance

capability

61 AFSSs, 14 FSSs Automated Flight Service Stations, Flight Service Stations

21 ARTCC’s & 3 CERAP’sAir Route Traffic Control Center,Combined Center Radar Approach Control

793 RCAG’sRemote Communications Air/Ground

1854 RCO’sRemote

Communications Outlet

175 TRACON’sTerminal Radar Approach Control

1422 RTR’sRemote Transmitter Receiver

346AirportTowers

720 BUEC’sBack up

Emergency Communications

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Mission Need Statement #137

In 1995, DOT/FAA approves the Mission Need Statement for the Next Generation A/G Communications System (NEXCOM).

Mission Need Statement #137 – Alleviate the spectrum congestion problem

– Reduce maintenance costs of radio systems

– Reduce A/G radio frequency (RF) interference and Increase security/channel control

– Establish a communications path for data link for all users

– Provide flexibility for future growth of services

Need still valid - timing of investment being reconsidered

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Current Realities

9-11 / economics*– Rule deferred

Spectrum congestion currently anticipated – 2012 to 2016

Program funding – Reduced in FY04 – Eliminated in FY05-07– Restarted in FY08

* No International Agreement on Communications* No International Agreement on Communications

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 5

Planned Program Activities*

Continue Multimode Digital Radio program

Continue Avionics development

Interoperability Testing with Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB)

Joint Future Communication Study with EUROCONTROL

NAS Communications Evolution Plan

Spectrum Service Life Extension Program (SLEP)

* Subject to Executive Council Approval* Subject to Executive Council Approval

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 6

NEXCOM Program Elements

Multimode Digital Radio (MDR)

2 analog and 1 digital mode in one radio

Certified Avionics Development

Analog and digital voice/datain a single cockpit radio

Demo/Stakeholder Outreach

Show NEXCOM system architectureand commercial avionics viability

Ground System

Rapid Preliminary Development Effort and Full Scale Development

MDRRadio

InterfaceUnit

GroundNetworkInterface

Deferre

dDeferre

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Vocoder Certification

Vocoder certification to DO-178B level C– Seattle and Wichita ACOs agree approach

Certification data package to ACO Mar 2004

First Reusable Software Component (RSC) certification package– Can be used on other radio systems (e.g. satellite radios)– Approved 14 April 2004

DVSI provide certification package– Vocoder license, software and certification data package– Direct delivery to manufacturers

Final certification part of radio certification

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 8

Summary

US program funding long-lead items – Multimode Digital Radio Deployment– Avionics Development and Forward Fit

And exploring potential future interoperable communications solutions.

– FAA/EUROCONTROL Future Communications Study– US/Japan Interoperability Testing