The European Frequencies Shortage and what we are doing about it RFF- 8.33 The Radio Frequency Function and 8.33 Implementation Jacky Pouzet Head of Communication and Frequency Coordination Unit WAC Madrid, March 2018
Contents The aviation Radio spectrum congestion The Network Manager services to mitigate the congestion (first solution) The 8.33 deployment (2 nd solution) Impacting General aviation and ANSPs Conclusions and next steps 2
We need bigger aircraft to fit all the aeronautical antennas Airbus 320 And aviation spectrum is congested 3
ILS VOR VHF DME ILS Courtesy of
The First Problem: Spectrum limits: VHF Frequency Shortage 5
This image cannot currently be displayed. Coming soon: Navigation Aids Frequencies shortage 6
In addition: Multiple users of the frequency bands Multiple systems in the DME band (960 1215 MHz): SSR UAT GNSS In the future: LDACS Military systems: TACAN, JTIDS/MIDS More systems in the future LDACS PMSE? Support spectrum access for GNSS enter your presentation title 7
Can we get more spectrum?... NO! Hence we shall increase spectrum efficiency (Cf. ITU rules) Frequencies for voice and data communications between pilots and controllers. enter your presentation title 8
Can we re-use frequencies? Line of sight of an aircraft at FL450 Received from ground Received from another aircraft at FL450 9
First Solution: The Network Radio Frequency Function. Entrusted to the EUROCONTROL Network Manager by the European Commission 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% RFF Contribution Implement 8.33 below FL195 Do Nothing RFF objectives: 1.Minimise impact of congestion 2. Ensure 8.33 benefit lasts 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% Interim 8.33 Final 8.33 0% 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023 Satisfaction rate simulation performed in 2010
First Solution: The Network Radio Frequency Function Mitigate the Impact on the Network of the shortage of aeronautical frequency channels for Communications and Navigation Improve Frequency Planning Promote Best Practices Services SAFIRE MONITORING RFF Help Desk Interferences Tools MANIF AFM Data Quality Server RFF OneSky Team Studies Radio Tests Frequency Studies ICAO/RAFT Proposals 11
First Solution: What does the RFF do? The RFF supports States in satisfying frequency requests keeping frequencies working safely ensuring we all work to high standards preparing for aviation evolution 12
How did the RFF perform? Postponed the congestion! VHF COM Satisfaction rate in congested areas Network Functions Regulation (RFF) Initial 8.33 Deployment Horizontal 8.33 Expansion (HEX) Vertical 8.33 Expansion (VEX) 13
EUR SAFIRE Active Users EUR SAFIRE Inactive Users SAFIRE v5 current use IS NO SE FI RU EE DK LT LV IE PT IE ES GB FR NL BE LU CH DE IT CZ AT SI HR PL HU SK BA RS ME AL MK GR RO BG BY UA MD TR GE AM AZ TM UZ KZ TJ KG MA DZ TN MT CY IL LB JO SY IQ LY EG
First : Manage the spectrum efficiently: DONE with the RFF. Second : Reduce Channel Spacing: The introduction of 8.33 khz channels - European Commission regulation : 1265/2007, 1079/2012. 8.33 channel spacing deployment in EUR region In 1999: Above FL245 In 2007: Above FL195 In 2014/2018: Below FL195?
Second Solution: Slow deployment 70s 25 khz VCS introduced 1999 8.33 khz VCS introduced 2019 2025 8.33 khz VCS Full? Above FL245 Enables aviation growth No new air-ground voice technology planned Reasons: Slow ROI and Some stakeholders with low benefits
Second Solution: Implementation so far Frequencies for 8.33 khz control sectors 17
Second Solution Plan: (EU) IR 1079/2012 - VCS Regulation milestones 17-11-2013 All new/upgraded radios are 8.33kHz capable 31-12-2014 25% of 25kHz assignments in IR1079/2012 Annex I MS are converted to 8.33kHz 01-01-2018 All aircraft operating in EU MS airspace are 8.33kHz capable Jan-2015 Jan-2016 Jan-2017 Jan-2018 Dec-2018 01-01-2014 All aircraft operating under IFR in IR1079/2012 Annex I MS are 8.33kHz capable 01-01-2015 All 25kHz OPC assignments in IR1079/2012 Annex I MS are converted to 8.33kHz 31-12-2018 All 25kHz assignments in EU MS are converted to 8.33kHz 8.33VCS Implementation Support 18
8.33 VCS Implementation: A challenging transition phase EC and network manager are monitoring the transition Service 25kHz Frequency 8.33kHz Frequency A/A 18 6 A/G 1434 367 ACC 673 528 AFIS 731 228 APP 956 84 AS 604 166 ATIS 375 39 FIS 118 OPC 872 935 PAR 77 2 TWR 925 78 VOLMET 47 7 Grand Total 6830 2440 Note: All statistics considers only Assigned and Operational assignments (IR and IP status) of SAFIRE data set 2018-02-16; excepted assignments (EMG, SAR, ACARS, VDL2) excluded 8.33VCS Implementation Support - Classification: TLP:Green 19
Frequency Congestion expected after 8.33 implementation (Jan.2019) 8.33VCS Implementation Support No. of available 8.33kHz channels based on an ACC 50NM radius/fl450 service 20
Frequency Congestion expected in 2025 8.33VCS Implementation Support No. of available 8.33kHz channels based on an ACC 50NM radius/fl450 service 21
Conclusion Current solutions can solve the problems, but implementation delays may have network impact -> 8.33 implementation must be implemented as planned. -> Risk: Gap between planning and real implementation Newcomers to the aeronautical spectrum can significantly worsen the situation and fast Changes to aeronautical systems expensive and slow Very long ROI, therefore no investment. Spectrum is a scarce resource, aviation need to continue to invest to optimise its usage. Airport communication (AeroMACS etc ) LDACS. 22