Future applications and the Aeronautical Telecommunication Network

The Aeronautical Telecommunication Network (ATN) is designed to carry air traffic control (ATC) communications. The ATN is based on the Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) architecture which affords flexibility for data communications between end systems. The ATN was created by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and, when implemented, will provide basic point-to-point communications with performance appropriate for ATC applications. Applications which provide digital equivalents of current voice services are the initial application targets of the ATN. It is becoming clear, however, that future air traffic management applications will not only rely increasingly on data communications but will require new or modified ATN capabilities. This paper will review the basic architecture of the ATN, examine the communications requirements of some current and future air traffic management applications, and suggest areas for expansion of ATN capabilities.