DLR Flight Tests Next-Gen Comms System

The Seamless Aeronautical Networking through Integration of Data Links, Radios and Antennas (SANDRA) research consortium has completed the first flight test program of its integrated system for next-generation cockpit and cabin communications.

 

The objective of SANDRA is to design and demonstrate a proof-of-concept testbed of future IPv6-based connectivity, which integrates cockpit communications with passenger and non-operational airline communications into a common system architecture.

 

The flight test was conducted under the leadership of the German Aerospace Center Deutsches Zentrum für Luft-und Raumfahrt (DLR).

 

The communication system was successfully tested under real flight conditions for three days on DLR's advanced technology research aircraft (ATRA), a modified Airbus A320, across Oberpfaffenhofen Airport in Bavaria, Germany.

 

DLR was involved in the development of network technology and is responsible for the flight testing of the new system with its ATRA, while TriaGnoSys was involved in the complete system integration, IPv6 networking software, and pre-flight lab testing.

 

During testing, the system switched automatically between ground stations without loss of connectivity during the flights.

 

The SANDRA system incorporates the advanced multi-link communications, integrating L-band and Ku-band satellite links, as well as AeroMACS ground links, and current VHF data link (VDL2).

 

It uses industry standards such as IP, IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), DVB-S2 and Inmarsat SwiftBroadband, and can be configured to select the best available radio link, or the crew can select the link manually.

 

According to information from TriaGnoSys, cabin communication services that are currently being offered on commercial flights allow passengers to access the Internet and use their mobile phones during flights. However, cockpit communications rely on analog voice communication and non-IP low bit-rate data links.

 

The satellite and direct air-to-ground connectivity solutions use the IP protocol suite and offer connection speeds ranging from few hundred kilobytes per second to around three or four megabytes per second for each aircraft.

 

By supporting the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) concept of future cockpit communications, SANDRA is contributing to more efficient and safer flights, which is highly important as the volume of air traffic increases, a company official states.

TriaGnoSys managing director Markus Werner says: "SANDRA is bringing cockpit communications into the 21st century by simplifying the process for pilots and providing the platform for many more advanced services."

 

The SANDRA project, which is co-funded by the European Commission, started in 2009 and will run until the end of 2013.

 

It is supported by 30 international development partners, including aircraft manufacturers, aviation IT providers and consultants, research organizations, and universities; the consortium is managed by Selex, part of Finmeccanica.