Simulation results and final recommendations of the SANDRA concept for integrated IP-based aeronautical networking

Air traffic in Europe is expected to double by 2025 in Europe. An integrated aircraft communication system is thus of paramount importance to ensure the sustainable growth of European air traffic. The SANDRA (“Seamless Aeronautical Networking Through Integration of Data Links, Radios and Antennas”) project designed, implemented and validated an integrated aeronautical communications system based on an open architecture, a common set of interfaces and on well-proven industry standards. Integration has been addressed at different levels in the SANDRA project of which this paper focuses on the integration at network level. This paper addresses the computer simulations of the SANDRA network architecture. The network designs investigated in SANDRA were validated, and their performance was assessed. The aim was to carry out network design parameter optimization and default value recommendations.