ICAO/AMCP 7 paper (1) presented by Russia

Get the document as a MS WORD document

AMCP-7/WP__

AERONAUTICAL MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS PANEL (AMCP)

Montreal, 22-30 March, 2000

VDL MODE 4 ACTIVITY IN RUSSIA

Presented by V. Bondarenko, the Russian Member

1.  
2. INTRODUCTION

Peculiarities of ATM system in Russia stipulate the increased interest to one of the key applications of CNS/ATM technology, that is Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B). That is the reason of the importance of selection of data link able to realize ADS-B. After a thorough analysis due to certain causes Russia has made its preliminary choice in the favor of VDL Mode 4. For better understanding of its abilities and for gaining experience for further implementation of VDL Mode 4 in Russia as well as for future cooperation in the area of organization of air traffic with European countries promoting said type of data link (Sweden, Germany, Italy, Denmark etc.) Russia has performed a series of experimental works and demonstration flights that ended with an Order of Federal Service of Air Transportation (FSAT) of Russia which officially regulated the experimental activities and text exploitation of ADS-B based on VDL Mode 4 in one of the largest Russian regions (Tyumen region) with further application ADS-B as a means for ATC in Russia.

3. FIRST EXPERIMENTS IN RUSSIA

In 1997-198 Russia has conducted flights with an ADS-B based on STDMA using the equipment kindly lent by Swedish CAA. The first flight was held on An-2 aircraft from Myachkovo airport and was associated with Moscow Air Show 1997 in Zhukovsky, so the visitors could watch on one of the stands at the Air Show the position of the aircraft in real time. Then there were performed several series of flights at Ramenskoye and Chkalovskoye airdromes on IL-18 airplane. Details and possibilities of monitoring of surface transport movement using ADS-B&VDL-4 were also studied.

4. EEPAN PROJECT

Works on EEPAN (East European Prototype ADS-B Network) project started in 1998. Swedish CAA, CAA of Latvia and FSAT of Russia participated in this project. The final aim of the EEPAN project was to promote extension of the North European ADS-B Network (NEAN) to the East. The project foresees the installation of ground stations in Moscow and St.-Petersburg (Russia) and in Riga (Latvia) and their further integration with NEAN network. In order to demonstrate the capabilities of ADS-B equipped IL-18 aircraft performed the flight on route Moscow – St.-Petersburg – Moscow. Ground stations in Moscow and St.-Petersburg monitored the flight at range 250-300 km and exchanged data. It should be noted that ground transponders were connected with Controller Working Positions which exist now at almost half of ATC centers in Russia. At Pulkovo airport (St.-Petersburg) there was performed radar and ADS-B data fusion. It is desirable in future within the frame of NEAN Upgrade Program (NUP) to perform replacement of STDMA equipment by VDL Mode 4 systems and introduction of Russia into NEAN network.

5. FLIGHTS OF HELICOPTERS

When there is no radar coverage the necessity of ADS-B system for flights of helicopters on 100-500 m altitude becomes quite acute. In January 2000 in Moscow there were held comparative tests of two different techniques of non-radar surveillance of helicopters flights on low altitudes. One of the helicopters was equipped with ADS-B apparatus based on STDMA The competition allowed to prefer AS-B technique, so in the nearest future Moscow government proposes to organize flights in Moscow airspace (over the city) using ADS-B based on VDL Mode 4.

When fulfilling a special task it was necessary to have precise (up to several meters) fixing of the helicopter in deserted area without any reference points. Here they applied ADS-B equipment based on STDMA. Besides airborne apparatus the helicopter delivered a ground station to the stated area. After an hour of work the ground station measured its position, afterwards coordinates of the helicopter referenced to the ground station were determined with the accuracy 1-2 m. Said approach may be used in search-and-rescue operations.

6. INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

In February 1998 Russian IL-18 aircraft with STDMA equipment took part in the group flight Stockholm – Copenhagen – Stockholm. Acquired results on the interaction of aircraft with each other and with NEAN network were widely described in mass media.

In July – August 1999 IL-18 performed two flights to Italy. The flights showed stable interaction with FARAWAY equipment in Rome, including take-offs and landings.

7. PARTICIPATION IN COMPARATIVE TESTS OF VARIOUS VDLs

In October 1999 IL-18 within Eurocontrol participated in flight trials in Bretigny, France for the comparative tests of three types of VDL: extended squitter Mode S, VDL Mode 4 and UAT. Results of the trials were published in Eurocontrol report. VDL Mode 4 showed its best performance.

8. ATTRACTION OF RUSSIAN INDUSTRY

Due to good perspective of ADS-B implementation Russian industry has done first steps towards the production of needed equipment. In particular, there are developed first mock-ups of hardware-software, realizing STDMA. Works are conducted on the development of VDL Mode 4 apparatus and Cockpit Display of Traffic Information. From the very beginning Russia counts on integrated application of navigation signals of GPS and GLONASS, thus encouraging the improvement of integrity, accuracy and availability of navigation signals. There are worked out mock-ups of apparatus for realizing GPS/GLONASS navigation together with VDL Mode 4 devices.

9. RECOMMENDATIONS

Previous tests with STDMA devices and recent tests with VDL Mode 4 devices showed the maturity, high reliability and efficiency of application of VDL Mode 4 equipment. The industry is ready to produce the apparatus, airlines and ATC services are interested in the utmost proliferation of its use. The lack of standards slows the introduction of key functions, such as ADS-B, into the ATC practice.

The experts’ group is proposed to recommend SARPs and Manual on Detailed Technical Specification for VDL Mode 4 for adoption at Air Navigation Committee.