Aircraft access to SWIM — A collaborative ATM pathfinder to support a TBO environment

The NextGen National Airspace System (NAS) has begun to take shape with the functional emergence of En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) and the Terminal Automation Modernization and Replacement (TAMR). NextGen Programs include: 1) Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B); 2) Collaborative Air Traffic Management Technologies (CATMT); 3) National Airspace System Voice System (NVS); 4) NextGen Weather; 5) Data Communications (Data Comm); and 6) System Wide Information Management (SWIM). These programs are being implemented to transform the operational precepts of the NAS, as based currently on ground control of aircraft separation. The NextGen programs will fundamentally change the NAS operational framework from a voice-centric to a data-centric model. The new model will rely extensively on air-ground operational integration coupled with ready-access to communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS) data to enable 4-dimensional trajectory-based-operation (4DT) flow management. In addition to these advanced-development NextGen programs, the FAA has sponsored a pathfinder initiative to enable flightcrew access to SWIM data for enhanced shared situational awareness, (SSA). This pathfinder, known as Aircraft Access to SWIM (AAtS), has organized itself within a broad framework of public/private collaboration (government & industry partnership) focused on the coupled evolution of air-ground-integration and related enabling technologies. As a pathfinder, the AAtS operational paradigm is consistent with the U.S. vision for SWIM. The U.S. Government work not protected by U.S. copyright solution developed focus on connecting SWIM to aircraft. Other air-service regions are considering different concepts, architectures and requirements for SWIM-aircraft connectivity and are targeted for later dates for entry into service. The AAtS initiative has developed: · an operations concept; · technical implementation framework; and · conducted operational demonstrations. These establish a proof-of-concept benchmark for implementation of a collaborative decision making (CDM) capability. The AAtS pathfinder environment leverages existing systems and new communications infrastructure, including broadband IP and COTS technology (see Figure 1). Demonstration data promoted better understanding of: 1) usage patterns for available products; 2) system-level performance; 3) utility of the demonstrated data links; 4) data protocol efficiency; 5) communication issue mitigation; and 6) potential performance improvements through lessons learned. Phase 2 will demonstrate air-to-ground communications in addition to the ground-to-air exchange from Phase 1. The Phase 2 demonstrations will measure operational systems performance, with an eye toward how best to facilitate CDM among the ATC, flightcrews, and the aircraft operations center (AOC). Data from resulting operational improvements will illustrate system efficiencies to be harvested through CDM. Air-ground integration within the realm of 4DT data exchange schema promises to yield material system efficiencies, especially as they apply to route optimization and accommodation of transient disruptions, e.g. traffic or weather induced flow upsets. The AAtS initiative will shed light on the nature of the expected efficiencies in addition to issues pertaining to system-safety and information security. AAtS, as a pathfinder, is well underway and has spurred significant future-systems architectural development within individual avionics original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in addition to collaborative development OEM teams. The future of AAtS is to build on a premise that SWIM services can produce a benefit for the operators and FAA thru CATM. As a result, CATM via AAtS will enable improved airspace usage as part of a broader connected aircraft strategy. The belief is that air traffic management and connected aircraft will benefit from increased situational awareness, combined with their ability to expeditiously formulate operational solutions working with controllers and company dispatchers. To become viable from a business perspective, AAtS must yield material benefit through cost avoidance in the air and during ground operations.