Datalink Communications Essentials (NAS)
Datalink Communications Essentials (NAS)
Datalink Communications
© Copyright 2016 UAS international Trip Support | The Essentials of Datalink Communications
The origins
and course of
Air-to-Ground
Messaging
Contents
The Technology that HR Created 02 Inmarsat Satellite 06
Growing into an Operational Necessity 03 Iridium Satellite 07
Communications Mechanisms 04 Upcoming Regulations 10
VHF Radio 05 The Future of ACARS 11
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The Technology that HR Created
A t one time in the not-so-distant past, pilots and other
flight crew members were paid different rates for the
time they were airborne versus the time they were performing
ARINC’s solution was an automated system, called the
ARINC Communications Addressing and Reporting System,
or ACARS for short, which sent short text data from the
ground operations. Events like aircraft pushback, taxi, takeoff, avionics of the aircraft directly to the ground-based entities
landing, and gate arrival were transmitted via voice over radio through Very High Frequency (VHF) radio frequencies
frequencies to operators who would relay this information back without any crewmember involvement. The aircraft was
to the airlines. The pilots were responsible for self-reporting programmed to take advantage of switches and automation
their own times and movements. Understanding that people points on the aircraft, resulting in the creation of a set of
can sometimes be forgetful, or worse, willfully manipulative, messages referred to as the OOOI report. An OOOI report is
the major airlines began searching for a solution that tracked any of four messages: Out, Off, On and In. Still in wide-scale
crewmember pay in a more structured and accurate way. use today, the OOOI report is any one of four messages
Since time card machines weren’t an option for the flight generated by specific events on the aircraft.
deck, they reached out to communication and engineering
company ARINC for help with a solution. The events are:
Out: Off:
The precise time when The precise time when
the aircraft is “pushed the aircraft takes off from
back” from the gate, or the runway, normally
in other words, “out” determined by a
of the gate, normally “weight on wheels”
determined by discreet sensor built into the
door sensors aircraft’s undercarriage
On: In:
The precise time when
the aircraft touches The precise time when the
© Copyright 2016 UAS international Trip Support | The Essentials of Datalink Communications
further applications were developed that took advantage of The datalink system that was started to track crewmember
the ACARS protocol and other providers began to emerge hours for payroll purposes in the late 1970s continued to
with the ability to provide ACARS services, the most notable develop over the next 40 years, increasing its ability and
of which being the French company, SITA, a leading provider service footprint. What was once limited to line-of-sight
of international communication services for aviation. VHF towers at major airports, is now widely available in
most locations.
Free-text messaging, flight plan uplinks, text weather, and
position reports started to become commonplace. At some This technical white paper will briefly review the evolution and
point after the initial launch, the acronym ACARS was officially fundamentals of datalink, the system that was truly created in
changed to the Aircraft Communications Addressing and response to a Human Resources problem, including its role in
Reporting System, removing the reference to ARINC. The the modern-day flight operation and plans for its future.
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Growing into an
Operational
Necessity
T he OOOI message continues to this day to be one of the
key features in the datalink service offering. However,
shortly after the OOOI message was created, other message
Soon, Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and Air
Traffic Control (ATC) facilities around the globe started seeing
the benefit of voice-free communications. The accuracy
sets were developed to take advantage of this new static- and efficiency of AOC/AAC messages was needed in other
free text transmission method. Flight crews and dispatch critical messaging areas, like to issue clearances, diversions,
offices quickly became enamored with the ability to type out position reporting, and other ATC functions. A new message
a message on a keypad or keyboard instead of trying to relay set, called Air Traffic Control (ATC) or Air Traffic Services (ATS)
messages via voice on congested, noisy, and fatiguing voice messages was created. The most prominent example of ATS
radio transmissions. The new messages quickly improved messages was coined under the term Future Air Navigation
accuracy, safety, and situational awareness. System (FANS). FANS messages are the current standard of
safety of flight messages being transmitted over datalink.
The set of messages developed shortly after the OOOI
messages became known as Airline Operational Control FANS comes in many shapes and sizes, but the messages
(AOC) and Airline Administrative Control (AAC) messages. typically consist of two main components:
AOC and AAC messages are unprotected, meaning they are
not regulated by any operational authority other than to the • Automatic Dependent Surveillance (ADS), which
extent necessary to comply with the technical specification provides three-dimensional position data to ANSP
for message creation. For example, the message formats and ATC agencies on the ground. ADS relays aircraft
themselves were designed to flow properly through the location, speed, and altitude and supplements
ACARS infrastructure, but the content of the messages is traditional radio position reports and radar data. ADS
free-text or formatted text. technologies come in a few different “flavors,” but the
datalink implementation is ADS-Contract (ADS-C),
In addition to the OOOI reports, a number of AOC/AAC where the ATC host computer establishes a contract
message sets were created and are still in use today, with the aircraft to report data at certain intervals
© Copyright 2016 UAS international Trip Support | The Essentials of Datalink Communications
including the following examples: • Controller-Pilot Datalink Communications (CPDLC),
• Incremental Position Reporting and Estimated Time of which provides a two-way ATC communications
Arrival (ETA) Messages between the flight crew and the ATC facility, reducing
• Text Weather (METARs/TAFs/NOTAMs/PIREPs) the use of traditional radiology. which is prone to error
• Graphical Weather Charts and lacks efficiency.
• Pre-Departure Clearance (PDC) and Datalink Clearance
(DCL) Messages Unlike AOC and AAC messages, ATS messages are
• Flight Plan Uplinks protected and therefore cannot be altered. All messages
• Oceanic Clearance Delivery (OCD) are built on approved templates that use standard text
• Terminal Weather Information for Pilots (TWIP) and nomenclature, and with ATS messages, no free-
• Digital Airport Terminal Information System (D-ATIS) text messaging is available. If your request cannot be
• Gate Notifications accomplished using the library of available requests or
• Fuel and Service Requests responses, you must revert to voice communications.
• Free-Text Messages
• Maintenance Reporting
• Airframe Fatigue Reports
• Aircraft Engine and Health Reports
• Aircraft Weight-and-Balance Load Sheets and Trim Sheets
• Diversion Tracking
• Special Passenger Advice
• Other Fault and Abnormal System Status Reporting
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Figure 1: Figure 2:
Sample ATC Communications using Protected ATS Datalink. Sample Message using Unprotected AOC Free-Text.
In this example, the crew requests a climb to FL430, and is In this example, the crew has received a free-text message
told to “standby” momentarily, then granted permission to from their service provider, who is updating them on their
climb to FL430. The crew reports leaving their current altitude handling arrangements and transportation.
(FL410) and when they are level at the new altitude (FL430).
Mechanisms VHF
Connection Type: Line of sight very high-frequency
Most business jets are configured in such a way that the Ground-Based Mechanism #2
aircraft tries to communicate over VHF radio first, as it is
HF
the least expensive option, and if a VHF connection cannot
be established, the aircraft will switch over and attempt to
send the message over satellite. Even though aircraft can
have both Inmarsat and Iridium antennas, which support Connection Type: Line of sight high-frequency
a number of different functions, the aircraft can only be radio transmissions
configured for one of the two satellite networks for datalink Usable Range: Up to thousands of nautical miles
purposes. Business aircraft are typically not configured for (due to ionosphere reflection)
HF datalink, because most have satellite connectivity and Service Area: Typically over large bodies of water or
because HF datalink is very expensive. vast rural terrain
Speed of Data: 1800 baud
Relative Cost: Highest
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Satellite-Based Mechanism #1 Satellite-Based Mechanism #2
Inmarsat Iridium
Connection Type: L-Band and Ka-band satellite waves
Connection Type: L-Band satellite waves to/from to/from iridium’s geosynchronous satellite fleet
inmarsat’s geostationary satellite fleet Usable Range: Up to thousands of nautical miles as long
Usable Range: Up to thousands of nautical miles as long as the aircraft has an unobstructed view of the sky
as the aircraft has an unobstructed view of the sky Service Area: Worldwide, including the polar regions
Service Area: Worldwide between 83 degrees north and Speed of Data: 2.4 kbps
83 degrees south latitude Relative Cost: Moderate
Speed of Data: 4.8 - 10.5 kbps
Relative Cost: High
Since HF Datalink (HFDL) equipment is typically not installed on general aviation aircraft, we will omit any further
discussion about that technology from this white paper. We are then left with some capable datalink transmission
options for the business aviation fleet:
1. VHF Radio
2. Inmarsat Satellite
3. Iridium Satellite
1. VHF Radio
D atalink over VHF radio is still the most common transmission method, in part
© Copyright 2016 UAS international Trip Support | The Essentials of Datalink Communications
because of familiarity and aircraft equipage but also because of the low cost
of entry for the equipment, its vast governmental and operational approvals, and
its relatively low operational costs.
A newer, faster, more efficient network protocol needed to be defined. This new
network was also to use VHF radio waves as its transmission mechanism,
but it was built to be more spectrally efficient and to meet the requirements
for the delivery of Air Traffic Services (ATS) messages. The governing body of
the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) defined the specifications
of this new technology in the ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices
(SARPs), naming it the Aeronautical Telecommunication Network (ATN). More
than anything else, ATN defines the applications and the protocols for the delivery
of ATS messages.
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A TN demanded more efficiency than what was then available for via analog VHF communications. To meet this demand
for spectral efficiency, the VHF datalink providers created a new, bit-oriented air/ground VHF communication sub-
network to improve datalink speeds, accuracy, and performance. This new digital network became known as VHF Digital
Link (VDL). It boasted speeds up to 15 times faster than traditional analog ACARS and had a much greater band of
frequencies available for communication. The datalink service providers began updating their ground equipment to support
this newly improved VHF datalink protocol.
V DL has become the flagship due to its superior technology, but the traditional analog VHF datalink still exists today
and is widely used across the globe, especially in areas void of VDL ground stations. Analog VHF datalink operates
with the service name POA, an abbreviation for “Plain Old ACARS.”
2. Inmarsat Satellite
T he aviation sector soon started to require connectivity in
I nmarsat began offering their spectrum to the aviation
© Copyright 2016 UAS international Trip Support | The Essentials of Datalink Communications
more distant places, and the installation of VHF ground community under trade names like Aero C, Aero H, Aero
stations did not keep up with the demand. High-Frequency H+, and Aero I (all of which later became known as Classic
Datalink (HFDL) existed, but the link speed was slow, the Aero Services). They continued to evolve these technologies
reception and clarity of the signal was prone to errors, over the years, reaching a maximum link speed of 10.5
and the service could be prohibitively expensive. Aircraft kbps, which was sufficient to send Short Burst Data (SBD)
manufacturers started to take note of how their counterparts messages to and from the ground. Once the industry began
in the maritime world kept their ships in communication to openly accept Inmarsat equipment and the adoption rate
while at sea, effectively operating in large, unmanaged was climbing, Inmarsat made sure its network was capable
swaths of unpopulated Earth. The shipping industry had of carrying the most important datalink message types
started to outfit their vessels with satellite equipment, – those relating to the safety of the flight – thus, earning
which gave them the ability to make communication with itself the esteemed honor of being the first satellite provider
a number of satellites recently launched by a non-profit certified to transmit said messages without using traditional
intergovernmental organization known as the International radio spectrum.
Maritime Satellite Organization, or INMARSAT. The group
had recently launched a number of geostationary satellites
into low-earth orbit at 22,236 miles (35,786 km) above the
Earth’s surface in an effort to improve communications in
I nmarsat continually grew its satellite constellation over
the years, improving bandwidth and performance. Today,
Inmarsat operates 11 satellites in low-earth geostationary
unpopulated and rural areas, as well as improve aeronautical orbit (they are fixed above a reference point on the globe
safety. (In the mid-1990s, many nation states that were part and do not move). Most of their older satellites operate
of the INMARSAT steering committee refused to invest in on the L-band spectrum, but their newest satellites, the
improvements and modernizations of the satellite fleet, Inmarsat-5 (I-5) constellation, operates on the more efficient
which ultimately led to the privatization of the company.) and speedy Ka-band.
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So, Iridium is cheaper and has a
better coverage area. Why would
we even consider choosing an
Inmarsat solution?
I n the 1990s, the Motorola Corporation was the principal financial backer
of what was thought would be the “next big thing” in the telephone
marketplace: satellite telephone services. Specifically, communications
2. Does your aircraft have an internet
connection? Iridium only supports
Short Burst Data (small packets of
via the Iridium satellite constellation, a network then comprised of 66 geo- text), and will not support internet
synchronous satellites operating at an altitude of approximately 483 miles connectivity.
above the Earth’s surface and moving quickly in defined parabolas at the 3. Does your Iridium transceiver
speed of approximately 16,689 miles per hour (26,858 kilometers per hour), support more than one SIM card?
making a complete orbit of the planet every 100 minutes. If it does, you can dedicate one to
data-only transmissions and link it
© Copyright 2016 UAS international Trip Support | The Essentials of Datalink Communications
or receive a telephone call. On top of that, the devices were large, clunky, fax connection in order to use the
expensive, and not user-friendly. Ultimately, the “next big thing” ended up single channel for datalink.
being decommissioned and ultimately filing for U.S. bankruptcy protection. 4. Do you use any datalink
applications that are not yet
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Satellite - Inmarsat
or Iridium
Datalink Equipped
Aircraft
Figure 3:
Diagram showing datalink communications.
© Copyright 2016 UAS international Trip Support | The Essentials of Datalink Communications
I have an Iridium connection dedicated solely for datalink communications. It’s worldwide and I don’t
notice a speed difference between VHF and Iridium. Why do I need the VHF connection?
You might not. In the early days of satellite Therefore, selecting Iridium as a primary (or singular)
communications, the price was the main factor for not communication network, is indeed a viable option;
making the satellite the preferred service. However, as but you need to weigh all of the pros and cons of that
satellite connectivity prices continue to drop (sometimes action before you make the transition. The good news
at near parity with their VHF counterparts), service is that if you ever want to switch back to VHF or a
providers are beginning to offer a number of satellite- medley of VHF and satellite, it typically only requires a
only options. The aircraft can be configured to prioritize few minutes’ worth of work to reconfigure the priorities
satellite over VHF (and vice versa), or it can easily be in the aircraft’s datalink system.
told not to attempt the VHF connection whatsoever.
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The Datalink Equipped Aircraft searches for a VHF Tower
If successful, it sends its message via VHF If unsuccessful, the aircraft will connect to a Satellite
The VHF Tower will route the message to the The Ground Earth Station will route the mes-
Datalink Service Provider sage to the Datalink Service Provider
The Datalink Service Provider either respond to a routine query (request for weather, etc) or routes the mes-
sage to the appropriate Company or Airline Operations
If the Company or Airline Operations replies to the message, it is returned to the Datalink Service Provider
the Datalink Service Provider sends the message back to the last known VHF Tower
If the VHF Tower can make contact with the air- If the VHF Tower cannot make contact, it will return
plane, it will deliver the message via VHF the message back to Datalink Service Provider
© Copyright 2016 UAS international Trip Support | The Essentials of Datalink Communications
The Datalink Service Provider will send the mes-
sage to the Ground Earth Station
The message link is complete. The pilot and ground dispatch benefit from seamless two-way datalink communications.
Figure 4:
A flowchart of datalink communications.
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Upcoming Regulations
Many other nations and airspaces have FANS mandates in There is no right or wrong answer for this, as each
place as well, including certain high-traffic airways in China operator is different. However, if you are faced with
and Asia. The best way to determine compliance with the decision of ATN-only avionics in the future, it is well
datalink mandates is to talk to your maintenance facility, worth discussion and analysis.
your service provider, your local regulatory authorities, and
your flight planning team.
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The Future of ACARS
A s onboard technologies continue to expand and satellite
connectivity prices continue to drop, more aircraft will
be equipped with advanced communications equipment,
A dditionally, one of the main advantages is offering a great
deal more flexibility and convenience by hosting ACARS
and ACARS-like applications on smart phones, tablets, and
specifically items that provide in-flight internet access. ACARS laptops aboard the aircraft, instead of on small, restrictive
in its traditional sense is held back by the relatively low speed of avionics boxes and screens.
the data connection. Even the “fastest” connection, VDL, tops
out at a maximum throughput of 31.5 kbps, which is roughly
half the speed of dial-up modem from the early 1990s. H owever, on the other side, one of the major concerns
of ACARS-over-IP is the security threat. Today, ACARS
messages are transmitted completely independent of any
© Copyright 2016 UAS international Trip Support | The Essentials of Datalink Communications
A CARS-over-IP technologies have many superior benefits
as compared to their predecessors, with link speed being
the primary advantage. IP connections to the aircraft are
expected to reach 15 Mbps within the next year or so, which
will yield an exponentially high increase in the Kbps rate for
both POA ACARS and Inmarsat’s Classic Aero connections.
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