An upgraded version of the ANTARES Technical specifications is now available for download. Produced by the Iris ANTARES project, this document defines a new satellite-based communication standard for air traffic management (ATM).
Its specifications address the user, control and management planes of the communication protocols used by aircraft to exchange data with ground control. Click here to access the document or see the links in the column to the right.
The requirements for the ANTARES design are defined by the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) programme. ESA designs a solution in close collaboration with the projects of the SESAR Joint Undertaking. This standard has the ambition to become standardised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
Thales Alenia Space Italy was awarded the ANTARES contract in 2009. Leading a team of top representatives from the aviation world and the space industry, the ANTARES project set out to produce a satellite communications standard as well as design and implementation of the associated infrastructure.
Under the leadership from Thales Alenia Space Italy, INDRA (ES) has been responsible for the design of the communication protocols. The design involved competencies from both the aviation and telecommunication industries, notably Airtel ATN (IE), Capgemini Norge (NO), Evolving Systems Consulting (CZ), Frequentis (AT), Honeywell International (CZ), Next (IT), SINTEF ICT (NO), Skysoft (PT), DLR(DE), Space Engineering (IT), Thales Alenia Space France (FR), Thales Avionics (UK), the University of Salzburg (AT), SINTEF (NO), ANTWERP SPACE (BE), and WISER (IT).
By April 2013, the ANTARES study will finalise the detailed design of the communication protocols. ANTARES will then develop the associated testbed to verify its performance. A full verification campaign will follow and the ANTARES study will release the final specifications of the communication standard, with associated implementation guidelines in 2Q2014.
The technical specifications of the communication standard are available to all interested parties. For more information see the links in the column to the right.
