Next Generation AirGround Communications System NEXCOM

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Next Generation Air/Ground Communications System
(NEXCOM)
Program Status Brief for ACP WG-C Montreal, Canada

• Jim Eck
• Air/Ground Communications Team Lead
• Technical Operations Communications
• April 20, 2004

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National Airspace System Air/Ground
Communications Infrastructure
720 BUECsBack up Emergency Communications
346AirportTowers
1422 RTRsRemote Transmitter Receiver
793 RCAGsRemote Communications Air/Ground
175 TRACONsTerminal Radar Approach Control

• VHF and UHF ATC bands
• Approximately 11,000 VHF assignments
• Approximately 40,000 VHF and 10,000 UHF TX, RX
  TCVRs
• Dedicated networks for each operational
  environment
• Limited restoral capabilities
• Limited remote maintenance capability

21 ARTCCs 3 CERAPsAir Route Traffic Control
Center,Combined Center Radar Approach Control
1854 RCOsRemote Communications Outlet
61 AFSSs, 14 FSSs Automated Flight Service
Stations, Flight Service Stations
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Mission Need Statement 137

• In 1995, DOT/FAA approves the Mission Need
  Statement for the Next Generation A/G
  Communications System (NEXCOM).
• Mission Need Statement 137
• Alleviate the spectrum congestion problem
• Reduce maintenance costs of radio systems
• Reduce A/G radio frequency (RF) interference and
  Increase security/channel control
• Establish a communications path for data link for
  all users
• Provide flexibility for future growth of
  services
• Need still valid - timing of investment being
  reconsidered

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Current Realities

• 9-11 / economics
• Rule deferred
• Spectrum congestion currently anticipated
• 2012 to 2016
• Program funding
• Reduced in FY04
• Eliminated in FY05-07
• Restarted in FY08

No International Agreement on Communications
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Planned Program Activities

• Continue Multimode Digital Radio program
• Continue Avionics development
• Interoperability Testing with Japan Civil
  Aviation Bureau (JCAB)
• Joint Future Communication Study with EUROCONTROL
• NAS Communications Evolution Plan
• Spectrum Service Life Extension Program (SLEP)

Subject to Executive Council Approval
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NEXCOM Program Elements
Multimode Digital Radio (MDR)
Certified Avionics Development
Analog and digital voice/datain a single cockpit
radio
2 analog and 1 digital mode in one radio
Demo/Stakeholder Outreach
Ground System
Deferred
Deferred
Show NEXCOM system architectureand commercial
avionics viability
Rapid Preliminary Development Effort and Full
Scale Development
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Vocoder Certification

• Vocoder certification to DO-178B level C
• Seattle and Wichita ACOs agree approach
• Certification data package to ACO Mar 2004
• First Reusable Software Component (RSC)
  certification package
• Can be used on other radio systems (e.g.
  satellite radios)
• Approved 14 April 2004
• DVSI provide certification package
• Vocoder license, software and certification data
  package
• Direct delivery to manufacturers
• Final certification part of radio certification

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Summary

• US program funding long-lead items
• Multimode Digital Radio Deployment
• Avionics Development and Forward Fit
• And exploring potential future interoperable
  communications solutions.
• FAA/EUROCONTROL Future Communications Study
• US/Japan Interoperability Testing