# Presentation: 892343

## Weather Accident Prevention Annual Project Review
May 23-25, 2000
Hampton, VA

**May 23-25, 2000**
**Hampton, VA**

**K. (Gus) Martzaklis,**
**Element Manager**
**NASA Glenn Research Center**
**Cleveland, OH 44135**
**(216) 433-8966**
**k.martzaklis@grc.nasa.gov**

**Steven J. Struharik**
**Sub-element Lead Engineer**
**NASA Glenn Research Center**
**(COMSAT Laboratories)**
**(216) 433-8084**
**s.struharik@grc.nasa.gov**

***Weather Information Communications (WINCOMM) ***
***Element Briefing***

## Wx Accident Prevention Plan Genesis

**Workshops/Coordination with FAA, National Aviation Weather Strategic Plan, National Weather Service, Airline Operators, Industry, etc.**

**Weather is a major contributing factor in accidents**
**	****33% Commercial Carrier**
**	****27% General Aviation**

**ASIST Recommendations**

**Overview**

***Wx Accident Prevention ******Plan Genesis***

**Notes:**
President Clinton announced in February 1997, a national goal to reduce the fatal accident rate for aviation by 80% within ten years.  This national aviation safety goal is an ambitious and clear challenge to the aviation community.  NASA immediately responded with a major program planning effort to define the appropriate research to be conducted by the Agency.  This effort, called the NASA Aviation Safety Investment Strategy Team (ASIST), sponsored four industry- and government-wide workshops to define research needs that should be addressed and the relative priority of each based on technology readiness and potential impact on safety. The 328 workshop participants included representatives of the airlines, the aircraft industries, academia, and the government agencies having an interest in aviation safety.
Five specialized areas were addressed: (1) aviation system-wide monitoring, modeling & simulation ; (2) human error consequences; (3) flight critical systems & information integrity; (4) weather; and (5) human survivability.  ASIST relied on a combination of high-level data analysis and an extensive amount of expert opinion to arrive at a prioritized list of investment options which would provide the solutions to the national safety needs.  The ASIST recommendations included a list of the top twelve priority investment areas for weather accident reduction.  The top two recommended areas were (1) data dissemination and (2) crew/dispatch/air traffic control monitoring, presentation, and decision aids.  Weather product generation and advanced aviation meteorology were ranked numbers 5 and 6, respectively.  These four areas form the core of the Aviation Weather Information systems research effort. 
NASA redirected existing research and technology efforts and formulated new ones to address the ASIST-defined safety needs.  Within this newly defined Aviation Safety Initiative, some of the new safety research activities have become parts of the existing NASA Research and Technology Base programs. One such program is Aviation Operations Systems (AOS).  The new NASA Aviation Safety Program (AvSP) integrates the rest of the ASIST-defined activities into a Systems Technology “Focused Program.”

## Wx Accident Prevention Plan Genesis

**National Aviation Weather Program Council develops the *****National Aviation Weather Initiatives *****document, identifying the following high impact initiatives:**
**1)  Implement data link capabilities for Flight Information Services (FIS).**
**2)  Develop and implement multifunctional color cockpit displays incorporating FIS products.**
**3)  Expand and institutionalize the generation, dissemination, and use of automated pilot report to the full spectrum of the aviation community, including general aviation.**
**4)  Improve underlying weather forecasting services.**
**5)  Require, develop, and implement aviation weather-related training packages for users.**
**6)  Improve aviation weather information telecommunications capabilities for ground-ground dissemination of aviation weather products.**
**7)  Establish objective standards for characterizing various weather phenomena for national and international use.**

**Overview**

## WxAP Goals, Objectives & Projects 

**Overview**

## WINCOMM ProjectGoal & Objectives

**WINCOMM Project Goal:**
***Develop advanced communications and information technologies, with supporting standards definition, to enable the high quality and timely dissemination of aviation weather information to all relevant users on the global aviation network.***
**WINCOMM Project Objectives:**
**1)  Develop advanced communications/information technologies to enable the efficient and timely dissemination of high quality, accurate aviation weather information to all relevant users on the aviation information network; addressing:**
**Airborne and ground-base users**
**National and worldwide access/connectivity**
**Cross-segment operations**
**2)  Develop advanced communications systems, supported by network system modeling, and support appropriate communications standards and protocols definition to ensure/enable the efficient implementation of advanced weather products.**

**Overview**

## System Elements

**Overview**

- Presentation

- Weather
- Products

- Distribution

**AWIN**
- Enhanced
- Weather
- Products

**WINCOMM**
- Communications
- Networks and
- Data Links

**AWIN**
- Operator
- Support

## Transport	Worldwide
Commuter	United States
General Aviation	United States
Air Traffic Management (ATM)	United States +
Airline Operations Center (AOC)	Worldwide
Fixed Base Operator (FBO)	United States

**FBO**

**ATM**

**Weather**
**Provider**

**Aircraft**

**Transport****	****Worldwide**
**Commuter****	****United States**
**General Aviation****	****United States**
**Air Traffic Management (ATM)****	****United States +**
**Airline Operations Center (AOC)****	****Worldwide**
**Fixed Base Operator (FBO)****	****United States**

***Weather Information Exchange***

**Text Printout of**
**Convective SIGMET**

**Graphical Presentation**

**Overview**

**Notes:**
AWIN solutions must provide connectivity between aircraft, air traffic control, airline operation centers , and weather providers.  For transport aircraft and the associated airline operation centers, information exchange needs to extend beyond national needs to support worldwide routes.  The Aviation Weather Information (AWIN) Distribution and Presentation activity will  develop technologies that will provide accurate, timely and intuitive information to pilots, dispatchers, and air traffic controllers to enable the detection and avoidance of atmospheric hazards.
Communication/Data Link will develop advanced communications/information technologies to enable the high quality and timely dissemination of aviation weather information to all relevant users on the aviation information network, addressing both airborne and ground-based users.  Key considerations are national and worldwide access/connectivity and cross-platform operations (transports, cargo carriers, regional airlines, and general aviation).

## Decision Process & AWIN System 

**Overview**

## Cooperative Research Efforts

**National Airline / Transport and World-Wide Weather Information Systems**
**Boeing****	****	****Aviation Weather Information (AWIN)**
**Honeywell****	****	****Weather Information Network (WINN)**
**Rockwell Collins****	****Satellite Weather Information System (SWIS)**
**National General Aviation Weather Information Systems**
**ARNAV****	****Weather Hazard Information System: Reducing GA Fatal Weather-****	****	****Related Accidents**
**Honeywell****	****GA-Oriented VHF DataLink (VDL) Mode 2-Based Weather and Flight ****	****Information Services (FIS) Broadcast, Reception, and Display System**
**Topical Category**
**Honeywell****	****Weather Avoidance Using Route Optimization as a Decision Aid**
**Honeywell****	****General Aviation Oriented Electronic Pilot Report (EPIREP) ****	****	****Generation and Datalink System**
**Rockwell****	****Aviation Weather Awareness and Reporting Enhancements (AWARE)**
**Rockwell****	****Enhanced On-Board Weather Information System**
**NCAR****	****A Demonstration of an End-to-end Oceanic Weather Hazard ****	****	****Information Dissemination System**
**NRL****	****Ceiling and Visibility**

**Overview**

**Notes:**
Nine of 42 proposals that responded to a NASA Research Announcement for AWIN systems were selected for development of cooperative agreements in which the industry participants share in funding the proposed research.  Following completion of an 18 month Phase I effort, consideration will be given to extending these cooperative research agreements for a Phase II period of up to 3 years.  The teams undertaking these efforts include 40 different companies, research institutions and government agencies.
Two cooperative efforts are underway to address National and World-Wide Airline/Transport Weather Information Systems.
Two cooperative efforts are underway to address National General Aviation Weather Information Systems.
Five cooperative efforts address topics relevant to development of weather information systems.  The efforts by Honeywell and NavRadio are underway.  The Rockwell efforts should begin in October; the NCAR effort should begin in November.

## WINCOMM Project Organization 

**Overview**

## Technical Approach

**Overview**

**Requirements**

**Optimal**
**AWIN**
**Comm**
**System/**
**Architecture**

**Technology**
**Gaps**

**Current**
**Infrastructure**
**Assessment**

**System**
**Technology**
**Products**

**Experiments**
**&**
**Demos**

## Project Level III Roadmap(*)

**Overview**

## Level II and Level III Milestones(*)

_**Relevant Level II Milestones:**_
*6)**	**National AWIN Datalink Capability (4QFY02)***:  Flight evaluation of initial national ****	****capability for digital datalink for graphical display of weather information.**
*7)**	**International AWIN Datalink Capability (3QFY04):***  Flight evaluation of initial international capability for digital datalink for graphical display of weather information.**
_**Level III Milestones:**_
*B2)**	**Definition of AWIN Communications Reqt’s (1QFY00)***:  ID communications ****	****	****requirements of current and projected future Wx products and tools.**
*1)**	**Next Generation AWIN Comm System Candidates (2QFY00):***  Select and define from candidate pool next-generation communications system addressing timely, ****	****accurate dissemination of high quality, intuitive Wx information.**

**Overview**

## Level II and Level III Milestones(*)

_**Level III Milestones (continued):**_
*2)**	**Near-term AWIN Comm Technologies (3QFY01)***:  Completion of development of ****	****near-term communications technologies for AWIN dissemination .**
*3)**	**Next Generation AWIN Comm System Development (4QFY02):***  Complete ****	****	****development of the next generation communications system for AWIN.**
*4)**	**Next Generation AWIN Comm Technologies (2QFY03):***  Complete development ****	****of ****	****the next generation communications technologies for AWIN dissemination.**

**Overview**

## Milestone Schedule(*)

**Overview**

## System Issues

**    ****Coverage**
- Global
- Regional
- Oceanic
- Line-of-Sight

**     **Utilization
- Civil Transport
- General Aviation
- Military

**Quality-of-Service**
- Timeliness/Latency
- Priority
- Availability
- Redundancy
- Robustness

**Phase-of-Flight**
- Planning
- Surface Movement
- Terminal Operations
- En Route / Oceanic

**        ****Delivery**
- Voice/Data
- Simplex/Duplex
- Broadcast
- Line-of-sight
- Over-the-Horizon

**        ****Service Provider**
- FAA
- Other Government
- Public / Private Commercial

**            ****Avionics Issues**
- Equipage / Avionics Cost
- Applicability Across Platforms
- Mandatory/Primary/Optional
- Architecture - OSA / Proprietary
- Level of Integration

**Link Characteristics**
- Spectrum / Frequency
- Bandwidth
- Modulation
- Access Technique

**Overview**

## Communications Subnetworks

**Analog Voice**
**ACARS**
**VHF Datalink  (VDL Modes 2-4, Broadcast)**
**HFDL**
**UAT**
**SatCom (AMSS, NGSS, SDARS)**
**Mode S**
**Gatelink**

**Overview**

## Traditional & Near-Term Comm

**Overview**

## Non-Traditional Comm 

**Overview**

## Work Breakdown Structure 

**Overview**

## 2.4.2.1  Comm System & Technology Requirements

- js

-  v 3.1

_**2.4.2.1  Comm System & Technology Requirements**_

***Level IV Roadmap***

**Overview**

## Overall Goal/Objectives:
Define the communications requirements for Wx dissemination.
Assess current comm infrastructure and its ability to support current & future Wx products.
Implementation Mechanism:
Contract study by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
Phase I (9/98 - 4/99):  Weather Tools and Requirements 
Phase II (8/99 - 3/00): Communications Gaps & Technical Solutions
Technical Results to Date:
Aviation Wx comm requirements defined
Emerging aviation datalinks evaluated for Wx; deficiencies identified
Non-aviation comm systems investigated for aviation Wx
Needed technology identified; research areas recommended
Results being integrated with other sources to assess next generation comm technology requirements
Future Plans:
Integrate results with requirements from other industry studies
Develop comm requirements for EPIREPS in conjunction with aviation community and FAA
Update requirements yearly

**Define the communications requirements for Wx dissemination.**
**Assess current comm infrastructure and its ability to support current & future Wx products.**
**Implementation Mechanism:**
**Contract study by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company**
**Phase I (9/98 - 4/99):  Weather Tools and Requirements **
**Phase II (8/99 - 3/00): Communications Gaps & Technical Solutions**
**Technical Results to Date:**
**Aviation Wx comm requirements defined**
**Emerging aviation datalinks evaluated for Wx; deficiencies identified**
**Non-aviation comm systems investigated for aviation Wx**
**Needed technology identified; research areas recommended**
**Results being integrated with other sources to assess next generation comm technology requirements**
**Future Plans:**
**Integrate results with requirements from other industry studies**
**Develop comm requirements for EPIREPS in conjunction with aviation community and FAA**
**Update requirements yearly**

***Requirements Definition***

**Requirements**

## Requirements Definition 

- Domestic
- En Route

- Inmarsat

- ACARS
- Satcomm

**ACARS**
**Wx**
**HFDL**

**ACARS**
**Wx**
**VHF**

- VOR

**FSS/AFSS**
**(EFAS)**
**VHF Radio**

**AWOS/ ASOS**
**Broadcast**

**ATIS**
**Broadcast**

**D-ATIS / TWIP**
**ACARS**

- Terminal Area

**TWEB**

**ARTCC**
**(HIWAS)**

- ACARS - Aircraft Communication Addressing Reporting System
- FSS/AFSS - Flight Service Stations
- EFAS - En Route Flight Advisory Services
- Weather Advisory Broadcast
- HIWAS - Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service
- TWEB - Transcribed Weather Broadcast
- AWOS/ASOS - Automated Weather Observing Systems
- ATIS - Automated Terminal Information Service
- D-ATIS - Digital Automated Terminal Information Service
- TWIP - Terminal Weather Information for Pilots
- AOC - Airline Operation Centers

_**Current Aviation Wx**_
_**Delivery Systems**_

**Requirements**

## Overall Goal/Objective:
Identify optimal next-generation Wx communications architecture/system(s) for 2007 and through 2015, with supporting analyses, that enable timely, accurate dissemination of high quality, intuitive weather information.
Implementation Mechanism:
Contract study by SAIC (lead), with support of TRW, ARINC & Crown Consulting, with periodic in-house review and consultation by NASA (April 1999 - May 2000)
Milestones: 
2007 Comm Architecture Definition 
Annual Updates to Architecture Definition/Next-Generation Communications Technology Requirements
Results flow into related areas:
Modeling and Simulation
Technology Development
Protocols and Standards

**Identify optimal next-generation Wx communications architecture/system(s) for 2007 and through 2015, with supporting analyses, that enable timely, accurate dissemination of high quality, intuitive weather information****.**
**Implementation Mechanism:**
**Contract study by SAIC (lead), with support of TRW, ARINC & Crown Consulting, with periodic in-house review and consultation by NASA (April 1999 - May 2000)**
**Milestones: **
**2007 Comm Architecture Definition **
**Annual Updates to Architecture Definition/Next-Generation Communications Technology Requirements**
**Results flow into related areas:**
**Modeling and Simulation**
**Technology Development**
**Protocols and Standards**

***Communications Architecture***

**Requirements**

## Technical Results to Date:
Architecture Report  completed.  Broad scope addresses several Tasks: 
NAS Architecture 4.0 used as baseline
Multiple alternative architectures considered
2007 Architecture (deliverable)
2015 Architecture (deliverable)
Basis for Analyses
Comm System/Technology Gaps
Several other studies and reports in related areas 
Future Plans:
Integrate results with other industry studies
Hardware &  software simulation and flight experiments to validate architecture
Update architecture yearly

**Architecture Report  completed.  Broad scope addresses several Tasks: **
**NAS Architecture 4.0 used as baseline**
**Multiple alternative architectures considered**
**2007 Architecture (deliverable)**
**2015 Architecture (deliverable)**
**Basis for Analyses**
**Comm System/Technology Gaps**
**Several other studies and reports in related areas**** **
**Future Plans:**
**Integrate results with other industry studies**
**Hardware &  software simulation and flight experiments to validate architecture**
**Update architecture yearly**

***Communications Architecture***

**Requirements**

## Functional Communications Architecture

**Requirements**

## Communications Architecture

**Broadcast**
**Satellite**
**(Broadband)**

**Ground**
**Networks**

**Air Traffic Management**

**AOC & other**
**user support**

**MODE-S**

**Commercial Service**
**Providers**

**Broadcast**
**Satellite**
**(Narrowband)**

**Commercial**
**Passenger**
**Services**

**Ground**
**Segment**

**Space**
**Segment**

**Air**
**Segment**

**Requirements**

## Comm Requirements & Architecture Synthesis

- _REQUIREMENTS_
**LM Phase1 & Phase 2 Reports **
**AWIN CRA Phase I Reports**
**G/A EPIREPS Requirements**
**AWIN Wx Products Requirements**
**Other Industry Inputs**
**FAA Inputs**
**In-House Expertise**

_**ARCHITECTURE**_
**FAA NAS 4.0 (Baseline) **** **
**SAIC, et al, 2007, 2015 Architectures**
**Other Industry Inputs**
**FAA Inputs**
**In-House Expertise**

_**ANNUAL UPDATES**_

**Overview**

## Overall Goal/Objective:
Develop software simulation/emulation capability for modeling and verification of communications architecture and requirements
Implementation Mechanism:
In-house effort initiated 1QFY00
Cooperative with other parallel in-house efforts
Develop near-term comm data link models
Technical Results to Date:
Software tools (MATLAB/SIMULINK, OPNET, STK) identified & acquired
Modeling in progress
Defining overall simulation configuration and process
Acquiring link parameters for incorporation into models
Future Plans:
Develop full scale simulation capability - multiple aircraft/multiple ground nodes/hybrid networks and links - from physical layer to network and transport layers - using models of current and projected comm sys & datalinks
Develop multi-terminal emulation for use with hardware simulation test bed
Use with hardware simulation and flight experiments to validate comm concepts

**Develop software simulation/emulation capability for modeling and verification of communications architecture and requirements**
**Implementation Mechanism:**
**In-house effort initiated 1QFY00**
**Cooperative with other parallel in-house efforts**
**Develop near-term comm data link models**
**Technical Results to Date:**
**Software tools (MATLAB/SIMULINK, OPNET, STK) identified & acquired**
**Modeling in progress**
**Defining overall simulation configuration and process**
**Acquiring link parameters for incorporation into models**
**Future Plans:**
**Develop full scale simulation capability - multiple aircraft/multiple ground nodes/hybrid networks and links - from physical layer to network and transport layers - using models of current and projected comm sys & datalinks**
**Develop multi-terminal emulation for use with hardware simulation test bed**
**Use with hardware simulation and flight experiments to validate comm concepts**

***Simulation and Modeling***

**Requirements**

## Simulation and Modeling

- _Comm Link Models_
- (MATLAB/SIMULINK)

- _Network Simulation_
- (OPNET)

- _Laboratory System Simulation_
- Hardware Link (Test Bed)
-  + Traffic Emulation (OPNET)

_**Validation of Architecture**_
_**and Technical Concepts**_

- _Flight Experiments_

- _Software System Simulation_

**Requirements**

## Work Breakdown Structure 

**Overview**

## Level IV Roadmap

_***2.4.2.2  Comm System & Technology Experiments & Demos***_

**Overview**

## Overall Goal/Objective:
Design and build test bed for verification and characterization of current, enhanced and next generation data links in support of the verification and demonstration of the 2007 Wx communications architecture.
Implementation Mechanism:
In-house on-going effort, with completion of Phase I expected by end of FY00.
Supports Level IV Milestone 10 (3Q01)
Technical Results to Date:
Identified data link performance parameters/requirements for evaluation
Developed a Phase I Test Bed Plan which provides a simulated environment for testing of the data links to be evaluated
Began implementation of the Test Bed Phase I Plan
Future Plans:
Completion of Test Bed Phase I. Projected completion 4Q00.
Implementation and completion of Phase 2 of the test bed.  Incorporates a satellite link simulator into the test bed providing full simulation of satellite systems.  Projected completion 3Q01.

**Design and build test bed for verification and characterization of current, enhanced and next generation data links in support of the verification and demonstration of the 2007 Wx communications architecture.**
**Implementation Mechanism:**
**In-house on-going effort, with completion of Phase I expected by end of FY00.**
**Supports Level IV Milestone 10 (3Q01)**
**Technical Results to Date:**
**Identified data link performance parameters/requirements for evaluation**
**Developed a Phase I Test Bed Plan which provides a simulated environment for testing of the data links to be evaluated**
**Began implementation of the Test Bed Phase I Plan**
**Future Plans:**
**Completion of Test Bed Phase I. Projected completion 4Q00.**
**Implementation and completion of Phase 2 of the test bed.  Incorporates a satellite link simulator into the test bed providing full simulation of satellite systems.  Projected completion 3Q01.**

***Test Bed Development***

**Experiments**

## Test Bed Phase I

**Experiments**

## Overall Goal/Objective:
Assess current comm datalink technologies and evaluate potential for the 2007 WINCOMM Architecture and associated requirements.  To include evaluation, characterization and identification of any gaps for potential improvements/enhancements. 
Implementation Mechanism:
Ongoing in-house/external effort
Supports Level 4, Milestone 9, due 4Q00
Grant awarded to Ohio University for period 4/1/99 to 9/30/00
Technical Results to Date:
Testing parameters identified and tests to be executed defined.
Initiated assessment/characterization of EchoFlight System.  Projected completion date 3Q00. 
Ohio University grant initiated for:  (1) the analysis of Safe-Flight 21 datalinks (UAT, Mode S, VDLM4), and (2) flight experiments/characterizations of VDL Mode 2/3 data links.  Projected completion date 4Q00. 
Future Plans:
Completion of the Ohio University Safe Flight 21 analysis and VDL Mode 2/3 flight assessments and characterizations.  Projected completion date 4Q00.  
Completion of EchoFlight assessment/characterization.  Projected completion 3Q00. 
Initiate and complete FISDL datalinks (ARNAV and Honeywell) assessment/characterizations.
Begin Evaluation of Enhanced WINCOMM Technologies, Level 4, Milestone 11, 3Q01.

**Assess current comm datalink technologies and evaluate potential for the 2007 WINCOMM Architecture and associated requirements.  To include evaluation, characterization and identification of any gaps for potential improvements/enhancements. **
**Implementation Mechanism:**
**Ongoing in-house/external effort**
**Supports Level 4, Milestone 9, due 4Q00**
**Grant awarded to Ohio University for period 4/1/99 to 9/30/00**
**Technical Results to Date:**
**Testing parameters identified and tests to be executed defined.**
**Initiated assessment/characterization of EchoFlight System.  Projected completion date 3Q00. **
**Ohio University grant initiated for:  (1) the analysis of Safe-Flight 21 datalinks (UAT, Mode S, VDLM4), and (2) flight experiments/characterizations of VDL Mode 2/3 data links.  Projected completion date 4Q00. **
**Future Plans:**
**Completion of the Ohio University Safe Flight 21 analysis and VDL Mode 2/3 flight assessments and characterizations.  Projected completion date 4Q00.  **
**Completion of EchoFlight assessment/characterization.  Projected completion 3Q00. **
**Initiate and complete FISDL datalinks (ARNAV and Honeywell) assessment/characterizations.**
**Begin Evaluation of Enhanced WINCOMM Technologies, Level 4, Milestone 11, 3Q01.**

***Current Technology Assessment***

**Experiments**

## EchoFlight/OrbcommSystem Under Evaluation

**EchoFlight/Orbcomm Data**
**Communicator and Echo**
**Flight software on a laptop**
**computer.**

**Cessna fuselage mount antenna for the Echo Flight/Orbcomm System**

**EchoFlight/Orbcomm**
**Sample EchoMap**
**Image**

**Experiments**

## Overall Goal/Objective:
Evaluate system-level performance characteristics of likely near-term weather datalinks, including Universal Access Transceiver (UAT), VHS digital link (VDL) Modes 2, 3, 4 and Mode S
Implementation Mechanism:
University Grant tasked to:
Evaluate FAA Safe Flight 21/Ohio Valley datalink data with respect to aviation weather applications
Test and deliver a VDL Mode 2/3 air-ground datalink system suitable for aviation weather
Period of Performance: April 00 to September 00
Relevant milestone activity addresses: Assessment of Current Technology
Technical Results to Date:
Review of Safe Flight 21 data has begun
VDL Mode 2/3 equipment is being ordered
Future Plans:
Continue Safe Flight 21 data evaluation
Integrate and performance test VDL Mode 2/3 datalink system
Deliver VDL Mode 2/3 equipment to NASA for integrated comm system experiments/demos

**Evaluate system-level performance characteristics of likely near-term weather datalinks, including Universal Access Transceiver (UAT), VHS digital link (VDL) Modes 2, 3, 4 and Mode S**
**Implementation Mechanism:**
**University Grant tasked to:**
**Evaluate FAA Safe Flight 21/Ohio Valley datalink data with respect to aviation weather applications**
**Test and deliver a VDL Mode 2/3 air-ground datalink system suitable for aviation weather**
**Period of Performance: April 00 to September 00**
**Relevant milestone activity addresses: Assessment of Current Technology**
**Technical Results to Date:**
**Review of Safe Flight 21 data has begun**
**VDL Mode 2/3 equipment is being ordered**
**Future Plans:**
**Continue Safe Flight 21 data evaluation**
**Integrate and performance test VDL Mode 2/3 datalink system**
**Deliver VDL Mode 2/3 equipment to NASA for integrated comm system experiments/demos**

***Ohio University Grant***

## Ohio University Grant

**Piper Saratoga**

**Ohio University Avionics Engineering Center**

**VDL Mode 2/3 radio**

## Cooperative Research Efforts

**National Airline / Transport and World-Wide Weather Information Systems**
**Boeing****	****	****Aviation Weather Information (AWIN)**
**Honeywell****	****	****Weather Information Network (WINN)**
**Rockwell Collins****	****Satellite Weather Information System (SWIS)**
**National General Aviation Weather Information Systems**
**ARNAV****	****Weather Hazard Information System: Reducing GA Fatal Weather-****	****	****Related Accidents**
**Honeywell****	****GA-Oriented VHF DataLink (VDL) Mode 2-Based Weather and Flight ****	****Information Services (FIS) Broadcast, Reception, and Display System**
**Topical Category**
**Honeywell****	****Weather Avoidance Using Route Optimization as a Decision Aid**
**Honeywell****	****General Aviation Oriented Electronic Pilot Report (EPIREP) ****	****	****Generation and Datalink System**
**Rockwell****	****Aviation Weather Awareness and Reporting Enhancements (AWARE)**
**Rockwell****	****Enhanced On-Board Weather Information System**
**NCAR****	****A Demonstration of an End-to-end Oceanic Weather Hazard ****	****	****Information Dissemination System**
**NRL****	****Ceiling and Visibility**

**Overview**

**Notes:**
Nine of 42 proposals that responded to a NASA Research Announcement for AWIN systems were selected for development of cooperative agreements in which the industry participants share in funding the proposed research.  Following completion of an 18 month Phase I effort, consideration will be given to extending these cooperative research agreements for a Phase II period of up to 3 years.  The teams undertaking these efforts include 40 different companies, research institutions and government agencies.
Two cooperative efforts are underway to address National and World-Wide Airline/Transport Weather Information Systems.
Two cooperative efforts are underway to address National General Aviation Weather Information Systems.
Five cooperative efforts address topics relevant to development of weather information systems.  The efforts by Honeywell and NavRadio are underway.  The Rockwell efforts should begin in October; the NCAR effort should begin in November.

## Overall Goal/Objective:
Demonstration of cost effective satellite-based delivery of graphical weather information
Implementation Mechanism:
Completion of 6 month Phase II demonstration period in May 2001
Addresses Level II (WxAP) Milestones 6, 7 and Level III (WINCOMM) Milestones 3, 4
Industry Partners: Rockwell Collins, Jeppeson, American Airlines, WorldSpace
Technical Results to Date:
Phase I - Successful tests of GA aircraft reception of weather data broadcast via AfriStar satellite; Johannesburg, South Africa, September, 1999
Phase II - Successful launch of AsiaStar Satellite; satellite checkout underway
Future Plans:
Antenna development, 3Q FY 00
Hardware development and certification, 1Q FY 01
Installation into two American 777’s beginning November 2000
Begin 6 month demonstration/evaluation period December 2000

**Demonstration of cost effective satellite-based delivery of graphical weather information**
**Implementation Mechanism:**
**Completion of 6 month Phase II demonstration period in May 2001**
**Addresses Level II (WxAP) Milestones 6, 7 and Level III (WINCOMM) Milestones 3, 4**
**Industry Partners: Rockwell Collins, Jeppeson, American Airlines, WorldSpace**
**Technical Results to Date:**
**Phase I - Successful tests of GA aircraft reception of weather data broadcast via AfriStar satellite; Johannesburg, South Africa, September, 1999**
**Phase II - Successful launch of AsiaStar Satellite; satellite checkout underway**
**Future Plans:**
**Antenna development, 3Q FY 00**
**Hardware development and certification, 1Q FY 01**
**Installation into two American 777’s beginning November 2000**
**Begin 6 month demonstration/evaluation period December 2000**

***Satellite Weather ******Information System (SWIS)***

**Experiments**

## Phase I
Graphical Weather Data Direct to the Cockpit
via S-DARS.  

Satellite Flight Test
Johannesburg, South Africa
September 20-24, 1999

**Graphical Weather Data Direct to the Cockpit**
**via S-DARS.  **
**Satellite Flight Test**
**Johannesburg, South Africa**
**September 20-24, 1999**

*AfriStar Satellite*

*Patch Antenna Mounted to Cessna 172*

*Internal Equipment (GPS, Laptop Computer, etc.)*

**	****Flight test and evaluation of worldwide weather                      datalink capability using broadcast Satellite Digital Audio Radio Services (S-DARS).**

***Satellite Weather******Information System (SWIS)***

**Experiments**

## Phase II
Graphical Weather Data Direct to the Cockpit 
via Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service  
Operational Evaluation: American Airlines Operational 777’s Flying Chicago-Tokyo and Chicago-Hong Kong Routes Beginning December 2000

**Graphical Weather Data Direct to the Cockpit **
**via Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service  **
**Operational Evaluation: American Airlines Operational 777’s Flying Chicago-Tokyo and Chicago-Hong Kong Routes Beginning December 2000**

***Satellite Weather******Information System (SWIS)***

**WorldSpace**
**AsiaStar Satellite**

**Pilot’s Laptops**
- With LAN cards

**PMAU-2000**
- Wireless Onboard LAN Radio

**FSU-2000**
**File Server**

**SIU**

**Satellite Receiver**

**LAN Antenna**

**Satellite Receiving**
** ****Antenna**

***SWIS System Configuration***

***AsiaStar Antenna***
***Beam Coverage***

**Experiments**

## Work Breakdown Structure 

**Overview**

## Level IV Roadmap

_***2.4.2.3  Comm Technology and Standards Development***_

**Overview**

## Overall Goal/Objective:
To develop S-band circularly polarized antenna for SWIS flight experiments
Implementation Mechanism (I/H):
Period of Performance: FY00 (12 months)
In-house:
Design, fabricate and test a dual CP S-band antenna
Assist industry partner (R/C) in performance eval of proprietary industry design 
Other industry/government partners: NASA LaRC, Rockwell Collins
Technical Results to Date:
Developed a L-band CP antenna design
Completed pattern and ANA measurement of a L-band RHCP antenna provided by Rockwell
Pattern and ANA measurements of a second L-band dual CP antenna provided by Rockwell currently in progress
Initiated the design of a S-band dual CP antenna
Future Plans:
Complete in-house development of S-band dual CP antenna and verify performance

**To develop S-band circularly polarized antenna for SWIS flight experiments**
**Implementation Mechanism (I/H):**
**Period of Performance: FY00 (12 months)**
**In-house:**
**Design, fabricate and test a dual CP S-band antenna**
**Assist industry partner (R/C) in performance eval of proprietary industry design **
**Other industry/government partners: NASA LaRC, Rockwell Collins**
**Technical Results to Date:**
**Developed a L-band CP antenna design**
**Completed pattern and ANA measurement of a L-band RHCP antenna provided by Rockwell**
**Pattern and ANA measurements of a second L-band dual CP antenna provided by Rockwell currently in progress**
**Initiated the design of a S-band dual CP antenna**
**Future Plans:**
**Complete in-house development of S-band dual CP antenna and verify performance**

***SWIS Antenna ******Technology Development***

**Technology Development**

## SWIS Antenna Technology Development

**Technology Development**

## Technology:
Broadband, 2-way satellite communications datalink terminal (developed under NASA AATT project)
Enabling technology for newly announced Connexion by BoeingTM global communications system to provide passenger services, flight-specific, and crew information services
Key Technical Features of Prototype Terminal:
High bandwidth:
over 2 Mbps to A/C (factor of 200 over current technology)
over 100 Kbps off A/C (factor of 10 over current technology)
Low profile, electronically steered phased array antennas
Innovative spread-spectrum modulation 
Industry Partners:
The Boeing Company (antenna and terminal development, joint experimentation); cost-shared activity
L3 Communications (modem), Kearfott (attitude system)
Future Experiment Plans for Technology:
AATT: Evaluation for ATM/Free Flight applications
WINCOMM:  Evaluation for Wx information distribution

**Broadband, 2-way satellite communications datalink terminal (developed under NASA AATT project)**
**Enabling technology for newly announced *****Connexion by Boeing******TM****** *****global communications system to provide passenger services, flight-specific, and crew information services**
**Key Technical Features of Prototype Terminal:**
**High bandwidth:**
**over 2 Mbps to A/C (factor of 200 over current technology)**
**over 100 Kbps off A/C (factor of 10 over current technology)**
**Low profile, electronically steered phased array antennas**
**Innovative spread-spectrum modulation **
**Industry Partners:**
**The Boeing Company (antenna and terminal development, joint experimentation); cost-shared activity**
**L3 Communications (modem), Kearfott (attitude system)**
**Future Experiment Plans for Technology:**
**AATT: Evaluation for ATM/Free Flight applications**
**WINCOMM:  Evaluation for Wx information distribution**

***Broadband 2-way SATCOM***

**Technology Development**

## Enabling Antenna Technology

**Ku-Band Receive**
**Phased Array Antenna**

**Ku-Band Transmit**
**Phased Array Antenna**

***Enabling Antenna Technology***

**Technology Development**

## Broadband Terminal

**Ground-mobile SATCOM Platform**

**Ku-Band SATCOM**
**Terminal & Test**
**Equipment**

***Broadband Terminal***

**Technology Development**

## Overall Objectives:
Investigate feasibility of UWB communications technology for the aviation environment and Wx information dissemination
Foster improved government understanding of UWB technology.
Implementation, January 2000 to September 2001:
Task includes two parallel activities:
Assistance with government testing of UWB technology, through partnership with the FAA, FCC, NTIA, NIST and with industry support
UWB technology study, feasibility analysis, and optional technology demonstrations focused at the aviation environment/application
Technical Results to Date:
02/00 – Initiated technical study phase (in-house)
04/00 – Began collaborative work with other government agencies to test UWB
05/00 – Completed Volpe study of aviation CNS applications of UWB
Selected Future Milestones:
10/00 – Complete testing of UWB with other government agencies
09/01 – Flight test benefits of UWB for aviation Wx communications

**Investigate feasibility of UWB communications technology for the aviation environment and Wx information dissemination**
**Foster improved government understanding of UWB technology.**
**Implementation, January 2000 to September 2001:**
**Task includes two parallel activities:**
**Assistance with government testing of UWB technology, through partnership with the FAA, FCC, NTIA, NIST and with industry support**
**UWB technology study, feasibility analysis, and optional technology demonstrations focused at the aviation environment/application**
**Technical Results to Date:**
**02/00 – Initiated technical study phase (in-house)**
**04/00 – Began collaborative work with other government agencies to test UWB**
**05/00 – Completed Volpe study of aviation CNS applications of UWB**
**Selected Future Milestones:**
**10/00 – Complete testing of UWB with other government agencies**
**09/01 – Flight test benefits of UWB for aviation Wx communications**

***Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Technology******for Aircraft Data Communications***

**Technology Development**

## Ultra-Wideband Technology may benefit aviation environments in many ways

***Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Technology******for Aircraft Data Communications***

- “Radar box” courtesy of **US DOT, Volpe National Transportation System Center**

**  ****UWB shows potential for:**
**  ****Communications**
**Aircraft/Terminal**
**Aircraft/Aircraft**
**Aircraft/Satellite**
**Onboard Wireless LANs**
**  ****Radar (not WINCOMM focus):**
**Collision Avoidance**
**Downdraft/Turbulence detection**
**Airport Surveillance**

- UWB

- UWB

- UWB

- UWB

**Technology Development**

## Overall Goal/Objective:
Assess current network protocols and standards for Wx dissemination.  Identify and develop open standards and protocols in support of the 2007 WINCOMM architecture and its associated supporting technology elements.
Implementation Mechanism:
Period of Performance:  1Q99 through 2Q03
Relevant milestone(s) activity addresses: 
Assess current comm standards and protocols (I/H) (4Q00)
Near term and next generation comm standards and protocols development (I/H and contract) (2Q03)
Industry/government partners:  MIT/Lincoln Labs, Computer Networks & Software, Inc.
Technical Results to Date:
MIT/LL: Proposal to use TCP/IP based protocol for weather information distribution (4Q99)
CNS: Aeronautical Related Applications using ATN and TCP/IP (4Q99)
Future Plans:
Complete procurement of ATN routers and Mobile IP hardware in support of system experiments and demonstrations
Integrate ATN router and Mobile IP hardware into laboratory testbeds

**Assess current network protocols and standards for Wx dissemination.  Identify and develop open standards and protocols in support of the 2007 WINCOMM architecture and its associated supporting technology elements.**
**Implementation Mechanism:**
**Period of Performance:  1Q99 through 2Q03**
**Relevant milestone(s) activity addresses: **
**Assess current comm standards and protocols (I/H) (4Q00)**
**Near term and next generation comm standards and protocols development (I/H and contract) (2Q03)**
**Industry/government partners:  MIT/Lincoln Labs, Computer Networks & Software, Inc.**
**Technical Results to Date:**
**MIT/LL: Proposal to use TCP/IP based protocol for weather information distribution (4Q99)**
**CNS: Aeronautical Related Applications using ATN and TCP/IP (4Q99)**
**Future Plans:**
**Complete procurement of ATN routers and Mobile IP hardware in support of system experiments and demonstrations**
**Integrate ATN router and Mobile IP hardware into laboratory testbeds**

***Network Protocols Development***

**Technology Development**

## Network Protocols Development

**Router**

**Router**

**Mode S **

**VHF**

**Satcom**

- Ground

- Air

**Ground**
**Application(s)**

**Ground**
**Application(s)**

**Ground**
**Application(s)**

**Router**

**Airborne **

**Application**(s)

**Avionics**

**Router**

**Airborne **

**Application(s)**

**Avionics**

**Router**

**Airborne **

**Application(s)**

**Avionics**

**Router**

**Network Routing Connectivity**

**Technology Development**

## Overall Goal/Objective:
To investigate and identify optimal format standards for aviation weather information in support of interoperability

Implementation Mechanism:
Period of Performance:  1Q00 - 4Q02
Relevant milestone(s) activity addresses:  
Assess current comm standards and protocols (I/H) (4Q00)
Near term and next generation comm standards and protocols development (I/H and contract) (2Q03) 
Other industry/government partners:  MIT/LL

Technical Results to Date:
MIT/Lincoln Labs: Issues in the Development of an Open Standard for Data Link of Aviation Weather Information  (4Q99)
Developing process (jointly with AWIN) to identify the optimal format for AWIN
Future Plans:
Develop and advocate consistent data format standard for AWIN data exchange

**To investigate and identify optimal format standards for aviation weather information in support of interoperability**
**Implementation Mechanism:**
**Period of Performance:  1Q00 - 4Q02**
**Relevant milestone(s) activity addresses:  **
**Assess current comm standards and protocols (I/H) (4Q00)**
**Near term and next generation comm standards and protocols development (I/H and contract) (2Q03) **
**Other industry/government partners:  MIT/LL**
**Technical Results to Date:**
**MIT/Lincoln Labs: Issues in the Development of an Open Standard for Data Link of Aviation Weather Information  (4Q99)**
**Developing process (jointly with AWIN) to identify the optimal format for AWIN**
**Future Plans:**
**Develop and advocate consistent data format standard for AWIN data exchange**

***Weather Information Format Standards***

**Technology Development**

## Weather Information Format Standards

- Iconic

- ASCII

**Representation of Microbursts and Storm Front**

**Technology Development**

## Communications Requirements and Architecture Definition:
Weather Information Communications Requirements Definition
Weather Communications System Architecture Definition (2007 & 2015)
Advanced Communications Modeling and Simulation Capabilities in Support of Requirements and Architecture Analysis and Validation
Communications Experiments and Demonstrations:
Communications Testbed Development for Technology Validation
Augmented with Contracts, Grants and Cooperative Research Agreements with Industry and Academia for Comprehensive Integrated System Solution
Current Comm Technology Assessment for Wx Dissemination
Near Term Technology Experiment Validation via In-House & Industry CRAs
Technology and Standards Development:
Focused High Impact Technology Development in Support of Communications Requirements and Architecture
Open Standards, Formats and Network Protocols Definition for Seamless Interoperability

**Weather Information Communications Requirements Definition**
**Weather Communications System Architecture Definition (2007 & 2015)**
**Advanced Communications Modeling and Simulation Capabilities in Support of Requirements and Architecture Analysis and Validation**
**Communications Experiments and Demonstrations:**
**Communications Testbed Development for Technology Validation**
**Augmented with Contracts, Grants and Cooperative Research Agreements with Industry and Academia for Comprehensive Integrated System Solution**
**Current Comm Technology Assessment for Wx Dissemination**
**Near Term Technology Experiment Validation via In-House & Industry CRAs**
**Technology and Standards Development:**
**Focused High Impact Technology Development in Support of Communications Requirements and Architecture**
**Open Standards, Formats and Network Protocols Definition for Seamless Interoperability**

***Summary***

**Technology Development**

## 

Backup Charts

**Backup Charts**

**Technology Development**

## FAA Coordination

**Overview**