Improving the safety, capacity and efficiency of airport traffic management with AeroMACS

Abstract

For the past 50 years, the aviation industry has set an unparalleled standard for transportation safety and efficiency. In spite of a few notable headlines, there remains a higher safety rate in aviation than in most other methods of travel. With the support of a broad range of international stakeholders, the industry is in the midst of a global adoption of ‘next-gen’ wireless technologies designed to enhance the safety, capacity and efficiency of fixed and mobile ground communications. AeroMACS, the aeronautical mobile aircraft communication system, provides the broadband connectivity needed to support the growing bandwidth demands of aircraft and ground infrastructure and air traffic management applications. This paper examines the past, present and future of AeroMACS, including: limitations to the current approach to airport communications; an overview of the WiMAX 802.16 standard and its advantages for aviation; potential barriers to AeroMACS adoption; and use models that will drive future implementations.