LDACS: future aeronautical communications for air-traffic management

A major modernization process in air traffic management for civil aviation is currently taking place under the framework of SESAR and NextGen in Europe and the United States, respectively. Air traffic management modernization is required to meet the needs sustainable air traffic growth in Europe, the United States, and worldwide are posing. A key enabler for this modernization process is the introduction of improved communications, navigation, and surveillance technologies. In this article, new developments in aeronautical communications for air traffic management are presented, with special focus on the air/ground communications technology L-band Digital Aeronautical Communications System (LDACS). The most promising LDACS technology candidate, LDACS1, is described in detail, and possible extensions toward navigation and surveillance are discussed. With these extensions, LDACS1 is well placed to become the first integrated communications, navigation, and surveillance technology for civil aviation. Utilizing a common ground infrastructure, such an integrated approach simplifies deployment and reduces costs for both deployment and maintenance.