Thursday, March 28, 2024

New Wireless Technologies to Help Meet Aviation Demands

By Deepskhikha Shukla

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Most communication between ground and aircraft are done using satellites. This slows data speed among passengers of multiple aircraft, due to sharing capacity and relatively wider coverage. This leads to an increase in demand to improve communication quality for onboard passengers.

Latest wireless technologies for aviation

Approximately 80 per cent passengers would use Wi-Fi onboard if it were available. This provides better connectivity and, hence, more satisfaction among users. Some other features include real-time electronic flight bags, improved onboard cabin services, mid-flight data loading of in-flight entertainment systems and real-time aircraft monitoring and video surveillance.

A recent technology, called system wide information management (SWIM), provides efficient and safe information sharing in civil aviation. It provides efficient integration of the current air traffic monitoring systems and enables these to achieve seamless services worldwide.

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Aeronautical mobile airport communications system (AeroMACS) provides a 5GHz ground-to-air communication link for high-speed movement scenarios. AeroMACS is effective in sharing various information types on airport surface, in taking off and landing among pilots, airport operators and air traffic controllers. It is generally used at a speed of 120kmph or below.

Navigation Research Institute scientists conducted flight tests using an AeroMACS standard-compliant prototype system and an experimental aircraft. Result shows that multiple input multiple output (MIMO) operation is achievable by an onboard antenna configuration with vertical placement at the top and bottom of the aircraft body. Other throughput measurements revealed that it was possible to access SWIM both in takeoff and landing situations at an aircraft speed of 200kmph.

f.u.n.k.e. AVIONICS has been cooperating with Airbus and other partners to develop wireless sensor/actuator networks (WSNs) for commercial aircraft. WSNs provide advantages like flexibility, weight reduction and cost reduction in aircraft manufacturing. Safety and reliability requires technologies and solutions adapted to onboard aircraft applications. One key element is the use of a dedicated, aviation-exclusive radio frequency band that precludes interference with commercial wireless systems such as WLAN or Bluetooth.

With the popularity of UAVs and general aviation, the concept of integrated space communications networks provides various reliable methods in aviation communication and surveillance. Low-altitude air-to-ground communication has two specialties, which are significant for the reliability of wireless communication. One is dynamic and moving nodes, like drones in the sky and automobiles on highway. High-motion transreceivers suffer from fast fading and frequency shift. The second is a changing scenario. For example, high-motion nodes on ground, such as high-speed rail, could quickly depart countryside and enter urban areas. Communication near the boundary changes and fluctuates rapidly, worsening the quality of communication.

LTE air-to-ground solution (Credit: https://networks.nokia.com)
LTE air-to-ground solution (Credit: https://networks.nokia.com)

Air traffic control is the backbone of the traffic load, which continues to grow dramatically every year. In the near future, we can expect a major boost in air traffic, with the growing use of UAVs for civil applications. Industry forecasts predict that worldwide flight movements will double by 2030.


 

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