Aeronautical Communication and Applications

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CIVAL Consultants have many years of experience working on aeronautical data links, applications and services. They have been instrumental in establishing the European LINK 2000+ datalink programme and the FAA's CPDLC programme, as well as drafting regulations and specifications for the Single European Sky.

Flight Efficiency

We assisted EUROCONTROL in the analysis of planned and actual commercial flight routes through European airspace, with the objective of identifying and eliminating flight data inconsistencies between different stakeholders, and monitoring the efficient use of the ATS Route structure. In the context of the IATA/EUROCONTROL/CANSO Flight Efficiency Plan for fuel and emission savings, this contributes to the goal of improving airspace utilisation and route network availability.

Interoperability in the Single European Sky

We have provided expert assistance in defining the regulatory approach for air-ground data link services, and in drafting Implementing Rules and Community/ EUROCONTROL Specifications in the framework of the SES Interoperability Regulation (EC) No 552/2004.

Datalink Security

We performed a definitive risk assessment study, leading to the design of effective countermeasures ensuring data integrity assurance and the strong authentication of message originators. We participated in ICAO subgroup meetings to help develop the ATN security provisions in the Third Edition of the ATN Technical Provisions (ICAO Doc. 9705). We have been active in developing ATN upper layers extensions to support Confidentiality in the future.

GACS

On behalf of EUROCONTROL, we developed and validated the specifications for the Generic ATN Communication Service, which were subsequently published in the Third Edition of the ATN Technical Provisions (ICAO Doc. 9705).

ACARS

We developed the requirements specification and managed the development of a prototype gateway to allow Airline Operational Control messages to be routed over ATN subnetworks.

CCAMS Feasibility

We provided expertise for a study into the feasibility of distributing scarce SSR codes from a centralised server, to improve the efficient utilisation of these codes and to minimise the need for in-flight transponder code changes.

RTCA/EUROCAE

AEEC

EATMP

ECG

ATN Systems Management

ATN Upper Layers

PICS/OICS

Surveillance

AFTN

AMHS

Operational Requirements

DLIC Data Link Initiation Capability Service

Initiates datalink communication. This service is initiated by aircrew on first contact with an ATC unit that supports data communications. It is a pre-requisite to the operational data-link services and allows flight plan/address association in the ATC system. The following information is provided to the ground system: airframe identification, aircraft identification, supported air-ground data-link services, departure airport, destination airport, and estimated off block time (EOBT), when available. It is based on the Context Management (CM) application, specified in ICAO Doc. 9705, Sub-Volume II.

ACM - Air Traffic Control Communication Management Service

Supports the transparent transfer of data communications, in synchronisation with the transfer of voice communications. It also retains the operational principle that there is only one controlling authority, and that the controlling authority is properly and unambiguously identified. The current sector controller initiates this service to transfer ATC communications to the next sector. It is based on the Controller-Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) application, specified in ICAO Doc. 9705, Sub-Volume II.

ACL - Air Traffic Control Clearances Service

Allows aircrew to request en-route clearances from the current controller, such as level (including constraints based on time, position, vertical rate-of-change), heading, speed (IAS/Mach), direct route, and rate of climb/descent. The service also enables SSR code change instructions and provides acknowledgements in both directions. It is based on the Controller-Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) application, specified in ICAO Doc. 9705, Sub-Volume II.

AMC - Air Traffic Control Stuck Microphone Check Service

Provides controllers with the capability to up-link a data message requesting all aircraft to check that they are not inadvertently blocking a given voice channel. It is based on the Controller-Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) application, specified in ICAO Doc. 9705, Sub-Volume II.

DCL - Departure Clearance service

Provides assistance for requesting and delivering departure information and clearance, with the objective of reducing aircrew and controller workload. It is based on the Controller-Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) application, specified in ICAO Doc. 9705, Sub-Volume II.

D-ATIS - Digital Air Traffic Information Service

Provides access to compiled ATIS information, relevant to the departure, approach and landing phases of flight. It is based on the Flight Information Services (FIS) application, specified in ICAO Doc. 9705, Sub-Volume II.

DSC - Downstream Clearance Service

Provides assistance for requesting and obtaining clearances or information from Downstream ATS units. This service can only be initiated by the aircrew to obtain clearances or information from ATS units which may be responsible for control of the aircraft in the future, but are not yet in control of it (e.g. providing Oceanic Clearances). It is based on the Controller-Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) application, specified in ICAO Doc. 9705, Sub-Volume II.