AeroMACS Takes Flight Globally: Delivering Next Generation Communications to the Airport Surface

Washington D.C. - ICNS Conference, April 21, 2015 (Newswire.com) - The WiMAX Forum® is announcing today the publication of a technical white paper entitled, “AeroMACS: Delivering Next Generation Communications to the Airport Surface.” Collaborating with a team of industry experts, the WiMAX Forum identified the short- and long-term benefits to 3 major stakeholders—aviation authorities, airports, and airline carriers—for improved airport surface communications. The paper outlines a typical AeroMACS deployment at an airport, leveraging a WiMAX-based platform known as the Aeronautical Mobile Airport Communication System, or AeroMACS.

The WiMAX Forum, the global body that certifies and promotes the interoperability of broadband wireless products, has been working closely with industry leaders to define requirements for the AeroMACS standard. The aviation industry has chosen AeroMACS as a common platform that effectively addresses their inefficient use of multiple ground-based wireless and wireline technologies to increase the safety and regularity of flight. Due to the international allocation of 59 MHz of spectrum by ITU in the 5091-5150 MHz band, AeroMACS can be used for Air Traffic Control (ATC)/Air Traffic Management (ATM) applications, video surveillance for safety services, and aeronautical information services to name a few. With this real-time, reliable information, better informed decisions can be made, leading to reducing the potential for flight delays, maintaining safety standards, and minimizing the time aircraft spend on the taxiways and runways.

The Forum’s Network Reference Model is designed to phase AeroMACS deployments gradually over time, rolling out more coverage and capacity as more applications are added by various stakeholders. The FAA in their NextGen program has identified the initial standalone applications to be integrated into the new ground-based wireless infrastructure, including surface radar/navigation, weather sensors and video surveillance systems. Estimated range, coverage, and capacity for bandwidth requirements for the selected applications are outlined in the newly published model, to ensure the appropriate Quality of Service (QoS) delivery—even during times of peak network traffic and congestion. In the next phase, the airport network will integrate with AeroMACS-equipped aircraft and other priority applications.

WiMAX Forum Aviation Working Group Vice Chair & Hitachi Sr. Advisory Engineer, Brian Crowe, said: “The Network Reference Model is built on a set of assumptions that helps us determine the bandwidth needed at a site, specifically the ‘who, what or where’ of bandwidth consumption.” Crowe predicts that the model will first be rolled out at the largest hub airports that could benefit the most from the cost-saving efficiencies that result from AeroMACS deployment, as already witnessed in airports such as San Francisco International.

WiMAX Forum President, Declan Byrne, said: “The WiMAX Forum has been aggressively working to bring together the foremost players of the AeroMACS ecosystem. There is huge opportunity for stakeholders to more effectively share network resources, based on sheer size and economies of scale. We’re confident that AeroMACS will ultimately improve travel for millions of passengers worldwide.”

This week at the ICNS Conference, Declan Byrne and Brian Crowe will participate in Session (R) Airport Surface Operations 2 on Wednesday, April 22 at 3:30-5:30pm. Declan Byrne will discuss AeroMACS as the Next Generation standard in Air Traffic Management, and Brian Crowe will present this white paper and discuss service considerations for an AeroMACS Network Reference Model. For additional information and registration, please visit: www.wimaxforum.org/event/icns-conference-2015.

To read the complete “AeroMACS: Delivering Next Generation Communications to the Airport Surface” white paper, please click the following link: http://www.wimaxforum.org/press-release/aeromacs-takes-flight-globally-delivering-next-generation-communications-to-the-airport-surface

For more information on WiMAX technology or to become a member of the WiMAX Forum, please contact Alessandra Rocha at [email protected].

About the WiMAX Forum

The WiMAX Forum is an industry-led, not-for-profit organization that certifies and promotes the compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products based upon IEEE Standard 802.16. The WiMAX Forum’s primary goal is to accelerate the adoption, deployment and expansion of WiMAX technologies across the globe while facilitating roaming agreements, sharing best practices within our membership and certifying products. WiMAX Forum Certified® products are interoperable and support broadband fixed, nomadic, portable and mobile services. The WiMAX Forum works closely with service providers and regulators to ensure that WiMAX Forum Certified systems meet customer and government requirements. For more information, visit www.wimaxforum.org.