Proposed Updates to the Working Document Towards a Preliminary Draft New Report ITU-R M

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AERONAUTICAL COMMUNICATIONS PANEL (ACP)

28th MEETING OF WORKING GROUP F (WG F)

Lima, Peru 11 – 22 March 2013

Working Paper on the future global deployment of ADS-B via Iridium satellite

(Presented by John Taylor)

1.INTRODUCTION

1.1At the 11th ICAO Air Navigation Conference in 2003, ADS-B was endorsed as the future evolving technology in aviation, more recently at the 12th Air Navigation Conference the concept of ADS-B was further endorsed, notably it was a recommendation of the 12th ANC that States cooperate technically and operationally to the maximum extent practical to ensure the global deployment of ADS-B technology.

1.2ADS-B technology exists today in some States primarily through limited deployment of ground stations in remote areas, and in some States it extends over a greater area from the deployment of a larger ground network. It is anticipated that future expansion of terrestrial infrastructure in some States will bring availability of ADS-B thus providing radar like coverage of air traffic and the efficient management of airspace in areas where the installation of stand-alone primary or secondary radar is impractical or not feasible.

1.3More recently the concept of ADS-B via satellite has received attention, particularly from the standpoint that oceanic,remote transcontinental and polar-regions can be efficiently covered. From an airspace and air traffic management viewpoint, the capability of global coverage of ADS-B via satellite presents the potential for advantages which essentially extend from the opportunity for reduced separation in dense oceanic routes, more efficient routing that results in aircraft fuel savings, a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, to enhanced safety in airspace when ADS-B reporting aircraft can be displayed on a radar screen at an Air Traffic Control Centre.

1.4The planned launch of the Iridium NEXT satellites will gradually replace the current constellation anticipated to begin in the 2015 timeframe. Commercially hosted payloads will be available on the Iridium NEXT satellites. These hosted payloads will include ADS-B space borne receivers, antennae and interlinking with the main transponder. Management of the hosted payloads and the subsequent operation of the ADS-B global service via satellite will be the carried out by Aireon. Aireon LLC is a subsidiary company of Iridium Communications Inc, and will deliver ADS-B surveillance capability to the Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP’s). This joint venture brings together Iridium and Nav Canada as well as support from the U.S. FAA and the various partners to provide a global ADS-B service via satellite.

2.SPECTRUM REQUIREMENTS

2.1Considering the global operational requirements of ADS-B in the air-to-air and air-to-ground scenario, this occurs in the 1090 MHz frequency band under a specific allocation designation. This allocation is globally harmonised and available in a frequency allocation appropriately protected by ITU Radio Regulations. In the aircraft to satellite uplink direction at 1090 MHz, no allocation exists in which to perform this service. Considering the uplink to a satellite at 1090 MHz, it is expected that an AMS(R)S allocation will be required to ensure that use of the frequency is in conformance with the ITU Radio Regulations.

2.2Under normal circumstances to achieve an allocation to a specific frequency or frequency band that is appropriately allocated and protected by the ITU Radio Regulations requires an Agenda Item at an ITU World Radiocommunication Conference. The next upcoming WRC will be held in the 2015 timeframe, even though an appropriate Agenda Item is not available to deal with a AMS(R)S allocation at 1090 MHz or within the frequency band 960 – 1164 MHz, other possible mechanisms may exist.

2.3On the order of business during the ITU WRC-15 will be to address the “future conference agenda items” for the subsequent WRC that wouldnormallybe convened four years later. This will be an opportunity for States experts to support the work of ICAO for a future conference agenda item if necessary through participation on their national delegations to get agreement for an AMS(R)S allocation at 1090 MHz to be dealt with in the preceding 4 year study period leading to the subsequent WRC in the 2019 timeframe.

2.4In the event that WRC-15 agrees to a future conference agenda item on the proposal for an AMS(R)S allocation to support ADS-B at 1090 MHz, it will be very important for States experts to actively participate at meetings of ITU WP 5B/4Cduring the subsequent study period and to support the work of ICAO.

2.5In the preceding timeframe prior to WRC-15 important work can be achieved in advance during the remaining planned meetings of ITU-R WP 5B/4C(from present time until prior to WRC-15) to establish an ITU-R Report outlining the concept, operation and requirements of ADS-B, and in particular to highlight the use of satellite to achieve global ADS-B coverage and thesubsequent benefitsand efficiencies to aviation. Having a comprehensive ITU-R Report available for WRC-15 will lend additional weight in favour of the aviation community to obtain a future conference agenda item to deal with an AMS(R)S allocation.

3.CONCLUSION

3.1WG-F is invited to consider the informationin this working paper highlighting the need for an AMS(R)S allocation to support the global operation of ADS-B via satellite, and to support;

The concept of ADS-B via satellite, and to recognize the endorsement of two ICAO ANC’s supporting the use of ADS-B, and the overall safety and efficiency benefits to the aviation industry.

To recognise that an AMS(R)S allocation is needed at 1090 MHz to support ADS-B via satellite and ensure conformance with the ITU Radio Regulations.

To actively support the work of ITU-R WP 5B/4C in drafting a new ITU-R Report on ADS-B conceptsand operation in the remaining planned meetings prior to WRC-15.

To support the work of ICAO by participating on their national delegations to WRC-15 towards achieving an AMS(R)S allocation, or future conference agenda item if necessary.