Rohde & Schwarz developing digital communications for commercial aviation that could replace VHF ATC links
MUNICH – Rohde & Schwarz in Munich is developing the L band digital aeronautical communications system (LDACS) that increases bandwidth of air traffic control communications and enables modern IP-based communications.
The LDACS has the potential to replace the current VHF digital link (VDL) mode 2 in civil aviation to become the future worldwide standard. The market launch of the equipment is expected for 2028.
LDACS offers data throughput for commercial aviation that is as much as 200 times faster than VDL mode 2 by using portions of the L band frequency reserved for flight communications. It uses interference-suppression algorithms and is optimized for minimal out-of-band emissions alongside other flight equipment operating in the same band.
"LDACS enables high data throughput that is secured with encryption," says Thomas Bögl, director of technology and studies at Rohde & Schwarz. "It can support a wide variety of applications, such as the data connections airlines need for flight crews to plan fleet operations."
LDACS also will help with environmentally friendly navigation methods. The plan is to select aircraft routes with precise coordinates in three-dimensional space and with rigidly defined time limits. The 4D trajectory can route aircraft dynamically near airports to avoid noise-protection zones.
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action has created an aviation research program (LuFo) for LDACS. Rohde & Schwarz is part of the program. Other project partners such as the German Aerospace Center (DLR) are joining forces to help develop LDACS technology.
For more information contact Rohde & Schwarz online at www.rohde-schwarz.com.
