Iris studies underway to define new communication system

A total of four studies are being conducted by different consortia to compile the most comprehensive knowledge available. Two consortia studying how to design the communication system are working in parallel; they have been labelled ICOS and Phoenix. The ICOS consortium is being lead by Indra, with contributions from Rockwell Collins, SELEX, Thales Alenia Space, AIRTEL and ARINC. The second consortium is known as Phoenix.  EADS Astrium leads Phoenix which includes SITA, TriaGnoSys, Audens ACT, Vitrociset and Honeywell.

The Communications System studies aim at defining a future open standard for Satellite Communication for Air Traffic Management, which will be valid worldwide after acceptance by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and could be implemented by several satellite systems. The current Phase A feasibility studies will outline preliminary design specifications to answer questions such as which types of protocols to use, and to which extent the performances described within the Communication Operating Concept and Requirements for Future Radio System (COCR) document of Eurocontrol and FAA are achievable. It will also propose a preliminary design of aircraft avionics, studying the best location and the number of antennas needed, and the feasibility of the use of Commercial off-the shelf (COTS) technology.

The respective performances of the technical options proposed by ICOS and Phoenix will be assessed against the same criteria, which are being defined by ESA together with Eurocontrol, DLR, CNES, the University of Salzburg and independent expertise from the aeronautical community. The evaluation process itself will be carried out independently to ensure fairness, and convergence in defining the best technical option for each level of the protocol stack will be encouraged. Its outcome will set the baseline for communication protocols design to prepare the new standard.

Consortia analysing the satellite system required to provide the communication service are known as AVISAT and Samara. AVISAT is lead by EADS Astrium Services and includes EADS Astrium Satellites, SITA, Vitrociset, TriaGnoSys, Audens ACT, Norspace, Carlo Gavazzi Space, IABG, Skysoft, EADS Casa Espacio and Deimos Space. Consultants to this consortium include Dutch Space, Iridium and Airbus. Thales Alenia Space is leading the Samara consortium and is working with Selex, OHB System, Indra, AIRTEL, NPO-PM, Conplan and Frequentis.

The studies of Analysis and Definition of the Satellite System look at defining how the service will be provided: they assess which types of system architecture are required to meet stringent dependability figures necessary for such a safety-of-life service, and determine the associated target cost. Beyond the definition of the technical system architecture itself, these studies will also provide a service provision and business case model to determine the service value chain and the best financing scheme.

The four consortia have undergone a first reciprocal information exchange session at ESTEC in Noordwijk, The Netherlands earlier this month. According to Nathalie Ricard, Iris project manager, work is progressing well and on time despite a demanding schedule. A series of information exchange sessions are planned to take place during the progress of these studies.

Completion of the studies is expected in the third quarter of 2008. Their results will support the preparation of a programme proposal for Phase 2 of the Iris Programme that will be submitted to ESAs Ministerial Conference in November 2008.

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Published 08 April 2008
Last updated at 06 August 2014 - 10:38