Collaborative experiments involving a satellite based data link for air traffic services

The authors discuss the use of the data communications element, known as PRODAT, for applications relating to air traffic services (ATS). They describe the experiments devised by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and EUROCONTROL. The CAA´s prime interest is in satellite communications and surveillance to support ATS for aircraft flying over the North Atlantic region, whereas EUROCONTROL´s main interest is in the transition region between oceanic and continental airspace