ATN Trials

1997 Management of International ATN Trials

Background

The aim of the ATN is to provide seamless data link communications between an aircraft and an air traffic control centre using multiple satellite providers. In order to achieve a final ATN, the international community had to perform a number of trials to validate the ATN standards. The ATN was based on the OSI 7 layer model to provide an OPEN form of the internet for the aviation community.

The TES project was a key part of the ATN infrastructure, as it provides the OSI Upper Layers of the communication model.

Challenge

Interoperability had to be proven between 2 independent implementations of the ATN End Systems to validate the open standards.

EUROCONTROL member states also had their own research projects in the ATN. They used the TES as their end system. Support and training was required by national administrations.

Flight Trials had to be performed to prove the concept

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Actions

I specified applications to help member states in their trials projects. Provided the applications as open source to aid national projects and encouraged re-use of code where appropriates

I performed the world’s first transatlantic full OSI 7 layer ATN link trials, proving interoperability with an independent implementation in the USA.

I provided training the ATN Upper Layers standard and user training in TES. I provided consultancy services to all EUROCONTROL member states to aid them in their national trials.

I participated in flight trials of the ATN.

I demonstrated the TES to ICAO.

Result

Reports from all trials were presented to the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

Meaning

This was a project where I was a key member of international projects. I had to provide international stakeholders with expertise.