Functional building blocks for an integrated aeronautical IP-network

Within the next 10-15 years, air-traffic management (ATM) will be primarily based on data communications and voice communication will be mostly used as fallback solution. Furthermore, it is foreseen that IP-based networking solutions for A/G communication will be deployed for cost savings, high reliability and an optimal alignment with the evolution of communication and security technologies. Such an efficient and sustainable data network for aeronautical communications is required to enable the implementation of a range of operational improvements needed to support the expected growth in air transportation. An IP-based global aeronautical communication network is currently being developed within the NEWSKY project, co-funded by the European Commission and in close collaboration with Eurocontrol and ICAO ACP WG-I (Specification of ATN/IPS). NEWSKY pursues the vision of "Networking the Sky" by integrating different data link technologies (long range A/G links, airport links, satellite links) and different services (ATS, AOC/AAC, APC) in a single, seamless network. Key functionalities have been identified, namely resource management, mobility, security and end-to-end data transport. In this paper, the raw functional architecture and the ongoing activities towards the specification of the functional modules are investigated.