A Tdma Broadcast Satellite / Ground Architecture for the Aeronautical Telecommunications Network
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A TDMA BROADCAST SATELLITE / GROUND ARCHITECTURE FOR THE AERONAUTICAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK Mohammed A. Shamma, Rajesh S. Raghavan Analex Corporation, Cleveland, OH 44142 Contract NAS3-00145, NASA Glenn Research Center Abstract: An initial evaluation of a TDMA research stage [ 11. Several communication satellite broadcast architecture with an links, technologies, and architectures were integrated ground network is proposed in considered which differ in complexity, cost, this study as one option for the Aeronautical and the time frame for its implementation. Telecommunications Network (ATN). The Here we are proposing an architecture based architecture proposed consists of a ground on the following objectives: based network that is dedicated to the - Cost: A system that takes into reception and transmissions of Automatic account the initial cost of Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) implementation. Considering the messages from Mode-S or UAT type fact that such architectures are not systems, along with tracks from primary and mass produced, the initial cost secondary surveillance radars. Additionally, will likely determine the expected the ground network could contain VHF final costs. Digital Link Mode 2, 3 or 4 transceivers for - New but tested technologies: In this the reception and transmissions of we mean a system that relies on Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications technologies that are new but (CPDLC) messages and for voice. The already tested as oppose to being second part of the ATN network consists of in the initial research stage. Also a broadcast satellite based system that is minimum use of what is defined mainly dedicated for the transmission of as older technologies is assumed. surveillance data as well as En-route Flight - Enough Room for Technology Information Service Broadcast (FIS-B) to all growth: while the cost and the aircraft. The system proposed integrates technologies in existence or near those two network to provide a nation wide term existence determines the comprehensive service utilizing near term or main architecture, it is important existing technologies and hence keeping the to leave room for other not yet economic factor in prospective. The next mature technologies to be few sections include a background implemented within the introduction, the ground subnetwork, the architecture at hand without satellite subnetwork, modeling and significant changes, Nonetheless simulations, and conclusion and where there may significant recommendations. changes required, they are noted. 1. Introduction The ATN proposed architecture is illustrated in Figure 1. It is divided into three parts. The Aeronautical Telecommunication l-The ground sub-Network which Network (ATN) is comprised of many consists of (but is not limited) two entities which are under development or at a major sub components: This is a preprint or reprint of a paper intended for presentation at a conference. Because changes may be made before formal publication, this is made available with the understanding that it will not be cited or reproduced without the permission of the author. a- Surveillance System: ADS-B The next two sections outlines some of (mode S and UAT) ground the details of the ATN parts discussed above transceivers. Primary and with the ground links and the airplane nodes secondary surveillance mentioned within. While the key element of radars (mode S and Air Traffic this design comprises the integration of Control Radar Beacon System satellites with ground based networks, it is (ATCRBS)). also the architecture which is seen to meet b- CPDLC and voice best all the objectives outlined in the communications network: beginning, cost, new technology, and room This consists of VDL 2, 3, or for improvement. communication transmitters 4 In summary, the architecture works as and receivers (depending on follows; aircraft equipped with ADS-B which link will be chosen). (UAT or Mode S) transceivers transmit their All VDL links will be in the ADS-B message to ground stations that are VHF band and hence will not located approximately 150 miles apart effect the surveillance (enough distance to receive from any systems design. altitude). At the same time, aircraft which 2- The satellite sub-Network which are not equipped with ADS-B transceivers consists of two major parts: will be detected by the primary or secondary surveillance radars. The ADS-B ground Satellite ground stations used a- receivers, and the radar stations will all be to transmit TIS-B and FIS-B connected via ground links (such as T1 or messages collected from all fiber, or possibly microwave, or a the ADS-B and radar ground combination) to the satellite "Pround station. transceivers. Satellite ground stations are presumed to be b- The satellite itself used to located in strategic locations such as at the relay the satellite ground ground control centers of each of the major stations TIS-B and FIS-B airspace sectors. Data collected will be messages to all the aircraft. filtered to remove any redundant messages 3- Ground links used to connect all received by more than one system (i.e. one the surveillance, VDL, and aircraft message seen by more than one ground satellite stations to each ADS-B receiver as well as with radar) and a other or to main stations. TIS-B message will be constructed per each 4- The airplane transceivers, which to transmit to the satellite. The satellite consists of VDL, ADS-B, and ground stations will access the satellite via a Satellite equipment. TDMA accessing scheme hence at each satellite ground station the filtered data will be queued and a burst will be transmitted within the corresponding time slots. The satellite will receive those messages and simply broadcast it down to the aircraft which will listen to the slots of interest based on the region of interest. At the same time while this is happening, CPDLC data and voice will be transmitted and received via ground VDL links with no satellite usage. Also, FIS-B messages will be created and sent along with TIS-B messages from each of the ground stations to be Figure 1: ATN major components broadcast to all the aircraft. The systems can have redundancies in the form of at a slower rate. Secondary surveillance redundant satellite transponders, redundant radars are described further in [2]. ground stations or reliance on radar vs. Supplementing the radar systems are ADS-B, redundant ground links via other ADS-B ground stations which listen to means if necessary. The details of those ADS-B transmissions from aircraft sent via redundancies were not investigated for this the Mode S and Universal Access study Transceiver (UAT) data links. Commercial aircraft, and other high-performance jet aircraft optionally broadcast their position, 2. The Ground Network velocity, and intent information using Mode S, while most general aviation aircraft optionally use UAT. The minimum aviation The ground network, shown in Figure system performance standards for ADS-B 2, consists of a network of ground-based are described in [3], and descriptions of the radar sites, as well as stations listening to Mode S and UAT data links as used in ADS-B transmissions from nearby aircraft. ADS-B can be found in [4]and [5]. The ground-based ADS-B listening stations, and the primary, enroute, and secondary surveillance radar sites feed their information to TIS-B ground stations, which process the incoming data to remove redundant information. The TIS-B ground stations then uplink filtered data to aircraft via a satellite network to provide a complete situational awareness picture to aircraft equipped to receive TIS-B information. Redundant data needs to be removed ..........~. ' .... ....... 'G \ for the following reasons: 'G "--'- d \- 1) ADS-B transmissions from the same aircraft may be heard by Figure 2: Surveillance Ground more than one listening station Subnetwork in the ground-based network. However, that information should be relayed via satellite The ground-based radars are of three only once. types: primary surveillance radars, located at major airports, higher power en-route Even when an aircraft radars, and secondary surveillance radars co- broadcasts ADS data, it is located with the first two types, which probably being tracked by interrogate transponders on board aircraft in ground-based radars as well the vicinity. The secondary surveillance (except in remote areas.) The radars are of two types: Air Traffic Control satellite ground stations should Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) and Mode only uplink whichever data is Select (Mode S.) The ATCRBS radars, in collected that is of a higher turn, are divided into two further types: quality. older radars interrogating aircraft at a higher Each listening station in the ground rate using a sliding window, and newer network generates ADS-B packets at a monopulse radars which interrogate aircraft specified rate for the purposes of the simulation, as opposed to actually listening to many aircraft. This is done in order to receiving aircraft. The speed up the simulation. The ADS-B traffic interference environment for is generated at the intervals specified for Mode S ADS-B consists of individual aircraft in RTCA DO-260A, the replies to Mode S and ATCRBS 1090 MHz Extended Squitter MOPS, ground radars which are sent on divided by a mean number of aircraft per the same frequency (1090 ground station, defined at simulation time. MHz). The interference environment for the UAT data The packets transmitted are 112 bit link consists of military JTIDS Mode S packets, again chosen for transmissions and interference convenience. ADS-B and TIS-B from TACANDME information relayed to the satellite ground navigational aids. stations in a real system are likely to be Mode S Extended Squitters. Although The ground network is structured in a different packet formats may be used within hierarchical fashion. ADS-B listening the SATCOM network, in the current stations and primary, enroute, and experiment the Mode S format was retained secondary surveillance radar sites, feed because in a SATCOM system, each ground their information to regional processing station will still need to relay the 56 bit centers via either T1 or optical links.