Test facilities study for the NASA advanced CNS architectures and systems technologies project

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Glenn research Center (GRC) is undertaking a significant new project to research, to develop and to test technologies that provide the communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS) infrastructure needed to support future air traffic management (ATM) for the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS). The development of the project's test and demonstration infrastructure is an integral part of the new project. Requirements for the infrastructure facilities are being assessed, and the plans for development of the test and demonstration facilities (TDFs) are being defined. The TDF capabilities include modeling and simulation of CNS for nationwide ATM system as well as the performance testing of wireless data links. This paper outlines the approach being taken to achieve the assessment and TDF definition.