Aerodrome Mapping Data Bases

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AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION SERVICES-AERONAUTICAL

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT STUDY GROUP (AIS-AIMSG)

FIRST MEETING

Montréal, 2 to 4 December 2008

AERODROME MAPPING DATA BASES

(Presented by Paul Bosman and Stephane Dubet)

1.INTRODUCTION

1.1This study note presents an initial proposition for the inclusion of Aerodrome Mapping Databases (AMDB) into ICAO SARPS. The information in this paper was prepared in coordination with Sam Van-der-Stricht from EUROCONTROL.

1.2Consistent AMDB for multiple applications requires common industry standards, which have been developed by the joint EUROCAE / RTCA Committee WG44 / SC193 (currently SC217), involving both national and international organizations, including ICAO, and the concerned industry stakeholders

1.3The AMDB supports the current industry requirements for improved situational awareness during the taxiing phase, such as the Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) with AMDB and “own-ship-position” data overlay.

1.4Furthermore, the need for Aerodrome Mapping information has been identified by both the SESAR and NextGen concepts which are aligned with the ICAO concept of operations. The AMDB constitutes a basis which may be enriched to support future Aerodrome Mapping requirements and, if made available as an AMDB Geospatial Information Service, will enable a service oriented approach in alignment with the SESAR / NextGen future network centric operations.

1.5The activities of the EUROCAE / RTCA - WG44 / SC217 are engaging into further developments to include new industry requirements mainly in alignment with SESAR and NextGen. The AMDB is the common reference for shared aerodrome mapping information, on which collaborative guidance and runway safety applications should be built. For example, future AMDBs will support EUROCAE / RTCA - WG78 / SC214 D-Taxi Graphical Data Link requirements.

2.AMDB CONCEPT

2.1Improved common situational awareness and applications such as the Airbus On-board Airport Navigation System (OANS), certified on A380 and the equivalent Boeing integrated forward-facing aerodrome mapping moving map, taxi situational awareness displays, Runway Incursion Prevention Systems (RIPS), aerodrome D-Taxi Graphical guidance, are being developed in order to enhance the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations on the aerodrome surface. These applications are dependent on accurate, reliable, and up-to-date AMDB data. Fig.1 shows how the AMDB is the foundation for additional information overlays and related collaborative applications.

Fig 1: The AMDB as the foundation of CDM

The AMDB design, as developed by the EUROCAE / RTCA - WG44 / SC193, is based on the application of GIS principles and the use of ISO19100 standards for geographic information. Consequently the AMDB defines Aerodrome Mapping geographic features such as Taxiway_Element, StandGuidanceLine, etc…, and its associated attributes, including provisions for ISO19115 Metadata elements and ISO19131 Data Product Specification elements. Fig. 2 provides an overview of the EUROCAE / RTCA AMDB feature layers.

Fig 2: AMDB Feature layers

The AMDB features are frequently based on ortho-rectified aerial imagery restitution, and digitized as spatial elements following defined geometrical constraints, and GIS best practice. AMDB feature layers may be combined with other layers, within other usage contexts. This GIS layered approach enables further information overlays such as with traffic, taxi path for guidance, Digital Notam and Meteorological information. (See Fig. 1)

2.2The EUROCAE / RTCA and ARINC AMDB standards are based on the global ISO19100 standards. This approach provides open and interoperable standardisation of AMDB data exchange, and enables interoperable application developments which will replace the so called “stove-pipe” applications. Furthermore, in the context of State information provision services, it is possible to quickly and efficiently ensure the networked availability of AMDB data as a new type of AIM Digital Information Service. As a result the AMDB services appear to the end-users as distributed, homogenous, seamless and secured well defined data services applicable in a wide array of activities.

2.3Current trials which demonstrate interoperable and seamless information sharing involve distributed and interoperable digital AMDB data services in support of decision making and planning. More specifically, the joint EUROCONTROL/LFV Digital AIM trials (D-AIM) demonstrate information sharing concepts involving AMDBs. (see The information sharing standards applied within the context of D-AIM are also used by SIA FRANCE in an experiment to originate and publish digital AMDB data.

3.WHY SHOULD STATES CONSIDER AMDBS?

3.1Use of AMDB in EFB is a fact but it goes well beyond. The aerodrome mapping layout is a key aspect for collaborative decision making (CDM), common situational awareness in the aerodrome movement area, aerodrome guidance applications, AIS MET data link, Digital NOTAM, Aerodrome Capacity planning and runway safety.

3.2To enable the applications listed above it is required to have common quality reference AMDB data which are shared between the various involved actors. The more stringent applications, such as guidance, require even more accurate data which are today not available.

3.3Furthermore, there is an opportunity with the origination of eTOD Area 3 data to consider an extension towards the production of AMDBs using common base data and common GIS technologies. Consequently, the AMDB would increase the number of derived data products and the overall added value.

4.AMDB AND APPLICABLE STANDARDS

4.1ICAO - Annex 15 defines the concept of a data product as a set or data set series that conforms to a data product specification compliant to ISO19131 - Data Product Specification.

4.2EUROCAE/RTCA - ED119/DO291, based on the EUROCAE/RTCA - ED99/DO272 user requirements for AMDB data, provides the AMDB interchange specification as an ISO19131 compliant Data Product Specification.

4.3The AIXM5 data exchange model supports the publication of ED99/DO272 compliant data. The AIXM5 is based on the ISO19100 standards for geographic information. It is the subject of another study note.

4.4ARINC 816 is the binary encoding standard for embedded AMDBs which are used by on-board applications such as OANS and Electronic Flight Bags. ARINC 816 is aligned with the EUROCAE / RTCA standards. The embedded standard is needed due to the additional constraints of avionics manufacturers.

5.DRAFT PROPOSITIONS FOR INCLUSION OF AMDB IN ICAO SARPS

5.1It should be noted that, in principle, the proposals mentioned hereafter, are supported by the EUROCONTROL AI Team, and the EUROCAE / RTCA - WG44 / SC217 industry committee.

5.2In terms of execution of a detailed proposal and provision of additional draft material it is proposed do delegate this activity to the EUROCAE / RTCA - WG44 / SC217, in collaboration with ICAO.

5.3It is proposed to tie the recommendations for the generation of AMDB data to provisions related to eTOD in ICAO Annex 15, especially since area 3 requirements are closely linked to the AMDB requirements.

5.4It is proposed to make AMDB provision non mandatory. However, in cases where the opportunity exists for States to provide AMDBs, this provision shall then be compliant with the AMDB SARPS.

5.5Changes for ICAO Annex 14:insertion of the AMDB specifications (list of features) into a new paragraph inside Chapter 2 - Aerodrome Data. ED99/DO272 essential requirements and ED119/DO291 AMDB Application Schema are to be considered in a new Appendix to Annex 14.

5.6Changes for ICAO Annex 15: insertion of a new paragraph in Chapter 10 (Electronic Terrain and Obstacle Data) to explain the objectives, the link to eTOD, and reference the specifications of Annex 14.

5.7Changes for ICAO Annex 4: insertion of a reference in Chapter 13 (Aerodrome Chart) referencing the specifications of Annex 14.

5.8It is proposed to discuss in the Group the overall schedule for the corresponding amendments to the various Annexes in close coordination with the ICAO Secretariat and corresponding domains.

6.RECOMMENDATIONS

6.1This study note recommends the inclusion of AMDB provisions into ICAO SARPS following the initial draft propositions provided in item 5.

6.2This study note recommends the delegation of the elaboration of detailed AMDB ICAO SARPS propositions to the EUROCAE / RTCA - WG44 / SC217.

7.ACTION BY THE AIS-AIMSG

7.1The AIS-AIMSG is invited to:

a)Note the contents of this study note, notably the current and future applications of AMDB that are central to future ATM concept

b)Discuss the recommendations outlined under item 6

c)Agree on a way forward and on a corresponding action plan

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