Global packet data communications for civil aviation-the ATN” (Aeronautical Telecommunications Network)

The article provides an overview of the inception and development of the Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN). The protocols defined within the ATN standards and recommended practices (SARPs) and also the air traffic service (ATS) applications currently defined in the first package of these standards are introduced. (This package is known as the Communications Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management Package-1 (CNS/ATM-1)) The current NATS ATN trials, modelling and simulation work is described. The ADS EUROPE trials system is described and results are used to exemplify system performance. Reference is made to the `character oriented´ FANS-I/A datalink system currently in operation in the South Pacific. Finally, plans and issues associated with operational implementation of the ATN are discussed