AIRBUS and SITA complete first flight test of new Aircraft Data Link
Announcement posted by SITA 22 Nov 2001
- Digital VDL technology will lead to a ten-fold increase in data exchange rates -
Airbus and SITA have completed the first flight test of a new high capacity data link called VHF Digital Link (VDL). The flight test took place on October 25th over Europe using an Airbus A320 type aircraft that linked via SITAs new VHF ground station to a host computer in the Airbus laboratory.
The system flight test represents the culmination of an extensive development programme. The new VHF data link was defined by the ICAO Aeronautical Mobile Communications Panel (AMCP) which began its work in 1991. The VDL system uses digital signals to exchange data at a rate of 31.5 kilobits a second, compared to the current analogue signals which can get only 2.4 kilobits through the same size radio channel.
The VDL link protocol, called Aviation VHF Link Control (AVLC), is being implemented initially to transport messages for the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting Systems (ACARS) so the system is called ACARS over AVLC (AOA). More than 5000 aircraft have been equipped with ACARS data link over the last 20 years and, via the SITA AIRCOM network, the crew can communicate with airline flight operations centres and air traffic control.
The Airbus A320 took off from Toulouse and flew in a circular route via Lyon, Geneva, Orly, and Brest before landing back at Toulouse. A series of scenarios were tested including analogue to VDL switching, handoffs between VDL ground stations, VDL coverage and transmission of large amounts of uplink and downlink data (ACARS messages can be ten times longer using VDL than using analogue signals).
Philip Clinch, SITAs Director Aircraft Operations and Navigation Services, said: We have been working for over a year and a half with Airbus to get to this point, and for over ten years to establish industry consensus on the VDL design. We are all delighted with the results. To move a project forward from concept to where it is set to become standard equipment on all new aircraft is a very significant achievement. The radio band available for use by aircraft is limited so the only way to increase aircraft communications capacity is by making better use of what we have by implementing VDL. SITA is continuing to play a key role in enhancing operational and air traffic management services for the air transport community.
SITA offers airlines and air traffic control providers a range of aircraft communications solutions, generically known as AIRCOM, through a network of VHF radio stations and satellites. The capacity of these products is being developed using new satellite and VDL technologies to increase the scope of communications for passengers, cabin crew and the cockpit.
SITAs VDL Mode 2 service, VDL AIRCOM, was launched in mid-2001, in line with airline plans to upgrade their fleets to the digital-based technology. This service, along with the Aeronautical Mobile Satellite Service (AMSS) already provided by SITA under the Satellite AIRCOM banner, forms the backbone for supporting the Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN) standards, adopted by ICAO for support of Air Traffic Services (ATS) data link applications.
SITA's AIRCOM data link service provides a mobile wireless data communications service to over 150 airlines operating worldwide. SITA AIRCOM supports flight operations, aircraft maintenance and engineering, air traffic control and cabin administrative communications, as well as passenger telephony and facsimile services. Recent expansion of SITAs global air-ground network has centered in North America, where 118 new VHF ground stations (91 in the US, 27 in Canada) now provide continuous coverage for aircraft of SITA AIRCOM customers flying in the region. General VHF coverage is provided by SITA in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America.
Notes to Editors:
About Airbus
Airbus designs, builds and supports the worlds most modern airliners. It is a leading manufacturer of large civil aircraft, with some 2,600 aircraft in operation with more than 200 customers and operators around the globe. Airbus is consistently winning about a half of large airliner sales - 100 seats and above - and currently has firm orders for some 4,400 airliners and more than 200 customers and operators around the globe. Airbus is a joint EADS company with BAE SYSTEMS.
Further information can be found at www.airbus.com
About SITA
With over 50 years experience, SITA is today the worlds leading provider of integrated information and telecommunications solutions to the air transport industry. SITA has around 740 members and 1,800 customers including airlines, airports, travel distribution and computer reservation systems, governmental organizations, aerospace and airfreight companies. SITA recorded corporate revenues of over US$1.57 billion in 2000.
Further information can be found at www.sita.int
The system flight test represents the culmination of an extensive development programme. The new VHF data link was defined by the ICAO Aeronautical Mobile Communications Panel (AMCP) which began its work in 1991. The VDL system uses digital signals to exchange data at a rate of 31.5 kilobits a second, compared to the current analogue signals which can get only 2.4 kilobits through the same size radio channel.
The VDL link protocol, called Aviation VHF Link Control (AVLC), is being implemented initially to transport messages for the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting Systems (ACARS) so the system is called ACARS over AVLC (AOA). More than 5000 aircraft have been equipped with ACARS data link over the last 20 years and, via the SITA AIRCOM network, the crew can communicate with airline flight operations centres and air traffic control.
The Airbus A320 took off from Toulouse and flew in a circular route via Lyon, Geneva, Orly, and Brest before landing back at Toulouse. A series of scenarios were tested including analogue to VDL switching, handoffs between VDL ground stations, VDL coverage and transmission of large amounts of uplink and downlink data (ACARS messages can be ten times longer using VDL than using analogue signals).
Philip Clinch, SITAs Director Aircraft Operations and Navigation Services, said: We have been working for over a year and a half with Airbus to get to this point, and for over ten years to establish industry consensus on the VDL design. We are all delighted with the results. To move a project forward from concept to where it is set to become standard equipment on all new aircraft is a very significant achievement. The radio band available for use by aircraft is limited so the only way to increase aircraft communications capacity is by making better use of what we have by implementing VDL. SITA is continuing to play a key role in enhancing operational and air traffic management services for the air transport community.
SITA offers airlines and air traffic control providers a range of aircraft communications solutions, generically known as AIRCOM, through a network of VHF radio stations and satellites. The capacity of these products is being developed using new satellite and VDL technologies to increase the scope of communications for passengers, cabin crew and the cockpit.
SITAs VDL Mode 2 service, VDL AIRCOM, was launched in mid-2001, in line with airline plans to upgrade their fleets to the digital-based technology. This service, along with the Aeronautical Mobile Satellite Service (AMSS) already provided by SITA under the Satellite AIRCOM banner, forms the backbone for supporting the Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN) standards, adopted by ICAO for support of Air Traffic Services (ATS) data link applications.
SITA's AIRCOM data link service provides a mobile wireless data communications service to over 150 airlines operating worldwide. SITA AIRCOM supports flight operations, aircraft maintenance and engineering, air traffic control and cabin administrative communications, as well as passenger telephony and facsimile services. Recent expansion of SITAs global air-ground network has centered in North America, where 118 new VHF ground stations (91 in the US, 27 in Canada) now provide continuous coverage for aircraft of SITA AIRCOM customers flying in the region. General VHF coverage is provided by SITA in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America.
Notes to Editors:
About Airbus
Airbus designs, builds and supports the worlds most modern airliners. It is a leading manufacturer of large civil aircraft, with some 2,600 aircraft in operation with more than 200 customers and operators around the globe. Airbus is consistently winning about a half of large airliner sales - 100 seats and above - and currently has firm orders for some 4,400 airliners and more than 200 customers and operators around the globe. Airbus is a joint EADS company with BAE SYSTEMS.
Further information can be found at www.airbus.com
About SITA
With over 50 years experience, SITA is today the worlds leading provider of integrated information and telecommunications solutions to the air transport industry. SITA has around 740 members and 1,800 customers including airlines, airports, travel distribution and computer reservation systems, governmental organizations, aerospace and airfreight companies. SITA recorded corporate revenues of over US$1.57 billion in 2000.
Further information can be found at www.sita.int