Analyses and simulations for Aeronautical Mobile Airport Communications System

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering the implementation of the Aeronautical Mobile Airport Communications System (AeroMACS) in the National Airspace System (NAS). AeroMACS networks will provide high-data-rate communications in the airport environment in support of Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) operations. At the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2007 (WRC-07), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) added an Aeronautical Mobile (Route) Service (AM(R)S) frequency allocation in the 5091-5150 megahertz (MHz) band on an international basis, resulting in eleven 5-MHz frequency channels being available for AeroMACS within the allocation. In this paper we describe an analysis framework that could be used to evaluate the performance of AeroMACS networks, and discuss the interdependency between frequency planning and RF network planning for AeroMACS as part of the framework. AeroMACS network performance for a specific analysis scenario that incorporates aircraft, ground vehicles, and sensors supporting safety and regularity of flight was analyzed by using the framework. We also developed an initial discrete event simulation capability for in-depth evaluations of AeroMACS link performance. We used this capability to analyze link performance for data transmissions to and from potential fixed assets, such as sensors, on the airport. Link performance results are also presented. The analyses and simulations described in this paper provide inputs for the development of a spectrum planning methodology for AeroMACS.