(EMAILWIRE.COM, March 02, 2001 ) As European air traffic increases year on year and flights are forecasted to rise from 8.5 million to 17 million by 2015*, the European Space Agency and a consortium of European companies led by Alcatel of France are embarking on a satellite communication system development that will help reduce congestion in our skies. The initial demonstrator project is worth 4.5 million Euro.

The Satellite Data Link System (SDLS) is a satellite-based radio communication system, which alongside emerging satellite navigation systems, will contribute to much better accuracy in aircraft position monitoring. This will allow greater numbers of aircraft to safely occupy a given segment of airspace at any one time.

Improved Air/Ground Communications

The rapid increase of air traffic over the last ten years has highlighted the need for improved communications and put 'safety critical' procedures at the top of the agenda. The new system, which can use both data and voice transmission, and links cockpit crews in the air and Air Traffic Management (ATM) on the ground, is dedicated to safety air/ground communications.

To meet the future capacity for both air/ground data and voice communication in high-density airspace, such as Western Europe, measures are already being implemented to increase the capacity of the terrestrial VHF systems. However, with high growth forecasts in already dense areas of traffic, these measures alone will not be sufficient.

"The development of a communications system using satellite technology is a very attractive proposition since it also provides a service in areas where terrestrial systems cannot be deployed," said ESA's SDLS Project Manager, Claude Loisy.

This effectively promises greater flight reliability as aircraft will enjoy uninterrupted means of communications with the ground on all routes, without being dependent on locally deployed infrastructure or the lack of it.

System Testing

The first demonstration phase will be performed with prototype aircraft equipment located on the ground. During a second phase - already in the planning stage - the demonstration will be extended to airborne test aircraft, including commercial airliners. The existing Aeronautical Mobile Satellite System (AMSS) is rarely used for communications related to Air Traffic Management and only in oceanic airspace.

"With this new system we want to prove that a 'second generation' satellite system can meet the stringent requirements of the ATM's 'safety of life critical functions'," said Claude Loisy.

SDLS is designed to demonstrate technical performances to a standard necessary to meet communication requirements of future ATM systems and, more specifically, Air Traffic Services (ATS) applications, as currently specified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

To be successful, the proposed system will also have to meet the rigorous specifications of the ICAO on safety as well as being affordable to the air transport industry.

SDLS, which under feasibility studies operating since 1994, has proved itself as a reliable and viable complement to existing terrestrial systems. It is now under further development with practical demonstrations planned for the second half of 2002.

*figures released by Eurocontrol, July 2000

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Produced for the European Space Agency

Contact:
Fulvio Drigani
39 0694180 840
fulvio.drigani@esa.int

Claude Loisy
31 71 565 3155
claude.loisy@esa.int

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