Phase Shift Keying for ADS-B: new aircraft signed messages for authentication purposes

Phase Shift Keying for ADS-B, also known as Phase Overlay, is a feature that was introduced in the EUROCAE ED-102B & ED-73F and RTCA DO-260C & DO-181F normative documents. This new phase modulation (based on 8-PSK), which overlays the original amplitude modulation (PPM) of the ADS-B, has its main improvement in the data capacity, as it enables to increase it from 112 to 448 raw bits, effectively from 56 to 260 bits. This new feature avoids the need to modify the structure of the current Extended Squitter message or its assigned spectrum (1090 MHz), maintaining the backwards compatibility of this surveillance system.
Indra has been part of the definition of Phase Shift Keying for ADS-B since its beginnings, participating in different working groups and R&D projects partially funded by the European Commission and with the collaborative work of ANSPs and industry stakeholders. In total, Indra participated in three different projects, each one increasing the complexity of the system and its validations.
In the last one, Phase Shift Keying technology was validated in a real environment, where several transmissions of ADS-B information were tested with a transmitter and receiver system prototype with this feature implemented. This exercise returned successful outcomes, as the information form the phase modulation message was retrieved as expected without modifying the message of the original amplitude modulation.
This R&D project allow to confirm the technological and technical feasibility of this new feature for ADS-B, demonstrating that this additional data can be used for several purposes, such as the provision of more detailed weather information, the reduction of the 1090MHz frequency spectrum congestion or the authentication of ADS-B transmissions in order to avoid threats like spoofing.
In this sense, Indra is participating in a new R&D project, also funded partially by the European Commission and with the participation of an ANSP, international organizations and industry stakeholders, to study the potential introduction of an authentication algorithm for ADS-B. The objective of this project is to study whether the implementation of this new feature in the data capacity provided by Phase Shift Keying is feasible, which would provide an additional security layer to the ADS-B surveillance system. In other words, this will help to know if an aircraft is real or not, as all ADS-B messages broadcasted by the aircraft will be signed and checked.

ERA 30 Years of Multilateration – from Market Definition to 160 installations

ERA, the pioneer of multilateration, has celebrated 30 years in business. Within the period the company has moved from multilateration market definition to 150 installations worldwide.
More than quarter of a century long story is guarded by several key milestones:
• 1st surface multilateration system
• 1st MSS system certified as SSR
• 1st WAM system
• 1st SQUID vehicle tracking system
• 1st whole country WAM coverage
Today ERA has reached number of 150 installations, deployed in 67 countries on 5 continents with 24/7 operations fulfilling demanding customer requirements. Nevertheless, more important than given number of references is the experience we have achieved, and lessons learnt during implementation of our solutions for air traffic control and management. We intend to continue introducing new technologies to adapt to tomorrow´s challenges.
Listen to the whole story of the company from the very first multilateration system, standard development to the unique, first, biggest and the best systems deployed around the world.

eVTOL: 3D Visualization to Integrate Air Taxi Routes with Commercial Aircraft

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is the transportation of the very near future. Investment in Electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles has grown exponentially, and according to Morgan Stanley is expected to become a $23 Billion USD market by 2030. Ensuring the success of this transformative technology requires the detailed design of eVTOL routes and integrating those routes with commercial air traffic. Further, eVTOL implementation requires 3D Visualization to both analyze results and communicate designs to key stakeholders such as manufacturers, city planners, air traffic control organizations, regulatory bodies, governments, and impacted communities. Environmental and noise impact must also be calculated and considered. This talk discusses advances in software technology to achieve these goals and help make the eVTOL vision a reality.

Digital Transformation: How to leverage IP benefits in ATC

Transformation is now. ANSPs all over the world are obligated to strategize and plan adapting digital technology. Their goal is to become ready for more flexibility and efficiency through innovative solutions, including virtual centers, digital remote towers and cross-border air traffic control.
Rohde & Schwarz has successfully supported many ANSPs on the journey to more operational flexibility. This lecture will share valuable insights gained from a decade of practical experiences. Typical transformation challenges will also be discussed. Examples from real project implementation illustrate how these challenges can be overcome and how the advantages of the internet protocol suite can be used.
Based on these findings, Rohde & Schwarz has enhanced its product portfolio with innovative features that not only support VoIP migration, but at the same time also comply to future ATM requirements around digitization and automation.

What challenges facing our industry are you addressing?
The presentation addresses concrete near-term solutions to allow ANSPs to use ATCO resources more flexibly and less location-dependent.

How a Digital Platform Can Transform the Airport Technology Landscape

Take a deep dive into the inner workings of the Searidge Digital Platform to discover how it has reshaped the way airports operate, delivering unparalleled efficiency, enhanced safety and seamless passenger experience. We will discuss the:

Power of direct integration with the Platform’s data queues, APIs, and data lakes; enabling airports and third parties to unlock new possibilities
and collaboration

Versatile deployment options, including on-premises, hybrid, and full cloud; empowering your airport with a seamless transition to a cloud-based
future

Robust security measures at multiple levels; guaranteeing the utmost protection for your data and communications.

The benefits of drone-based NavAids inspection demonstrated via concrete examples and situations

The NavAidDrone from Colibrex and FCS Flight Calibration Services is not just a concept among others, but a tool already in use in several countries. And it has already helped solving critical issues on NavAids installations and thus contributed to a safer aviation. A faulty VOR at a major European airport where neither ground measurement nor flight inspection could be able to detect where the problem was coming from ? An urgent request of ILS inspection within the frame of a disaster recovery action after the damages of a huge hurricane ? A pre-validation of a new ILS or VOR installation ? In presenting such real-life examples of missions, we will explain to the audience the concrete benefits of implementing drone-based NavAids measurement.

Traffic Management Services to support AAM Entry Into Service

Over the last five years, Eve have worked with Regulators, ANSPs, helicopter operators, heliport operators, vertiport developers, and other OEMs to build concepts and services for urban air traffic management. In association with Government organisations we’ve published CONOPs in Australia, the United Kingdom and Japan.

We know that without appropriate urban air traffic management solutions, Urban Air Mobility will not achieve the safety, operational and economic demands. This presentation will share our latest updates in developing Urban ATM services and technology to support Day 1 Urban Air Mobility operations. We will share outcomes from our recent UK trial and plans for entry into service.

Pathway to Advanced Air Mobility

Technological innovations are radically changing the world of aviation, making possible new ways of moving goods and people in urban areas and beyond. These new forms of mobility, grouped under the name Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), are moving in the direction of the third dimension and digitalisation and are made possible by the development of a range of innovative means of transport, a complex ecosystem of infrastructures, airspace design, regulatory framework and services.
The synergy of these enabling factors through collaboration with ATM, could open up new types of operations, accelerating the regulatory framework evolution: a virtuous circle of synergies between ecosystems to foster the integration of new users and vehicles.
As a global player in the sector, Leonardo has long directed the evolution of its technologies, combining expertise in aeronautics, ATM, U-Space and CNS infrastructure to enable the development of new services, that exploit the potential benefits of AAM and make cities more functional, sustainable and environmentally friendly.
The speech will describe the central role of infrastructures in the design of the AAM framework and Leonardo’s main experimental activities in this context.

Unleashing the Potential of Drones – First Steps to Integrated Airspace

It is a true paradox that, for a technology that is so ubiquitous and well known, it is still only achieving a tiny fraction of its potential in terms of social, industrial and commercial value. Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) have been developing rapidly as a technology and operational concept for several years yet it is universally recognised that the exploitation of this technology has yet to achieve any significant scale. One of the fundamental enablers to this exploitation is the true integration of UAS within the existing airspace construct yet that integration requires a fundamental redesign of the airspace itself. In the UK, this has been recognised through the UK CAA’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy (AMS) noting that integration is one of the four strategic objectives.
This integration requires the safe and expeditious use of the airspace by all airspace users including UAS and this has not been possible to date within the UK context. Egis, in partnership with Highlands and Islands Airports (HIAL), are establishing one of the first integrated airspace constructs where UAS and crewed aircraft including scheduled commercial aviation, general aviation and emergency services can operate together. Crucially and, for the first time in this type of airspace, the UAS can operate Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) to ensure that they can reach the true limits of their potential. This airspace construct will initially be established on a trial basis allowing HIAL, the UAS Operators and the CAA to gather valuable insights on the performance of the airborne and ground-based technology in addition to operational concepts. This invaluable operational experience will inform the basis of permanent airspace constructs and emerging regulation to advance the UK towards a future integrated airspace construct.
Egis will share the groundbreaking details of this airspace construct and associated operational concept, the application of novel UAS technology within this environment and lessons learnt from the experience of UAS operations from a licensed commercial aerodrome.
Richard Derrett-Smith will present this fascinating insight into this truly innovative application. Richard is an Associate Director within the Aviation business at Egis and has been leading future aviation projects for several years working with ANSPs, UAS Operators and the UK CAA to help to unlock the potential of this industry sector. Importantly for such a novel application in a safety-critical industry, Richard is currently the Safety Practice Lead for Egis Aviation UK and serves on the CANSO Safety Standing Committee Steering Group.

ATC and You: Integrating the Workforce into Tomorrow’s Vision

What is the role of the air traffic controller workforce in CANSO’s Vision of the Skies 2045 plan? This panel seeks to address that and other questions.

The plan has resulted from the work of the Complete Air Traffic System (CATS) Global Council, a forum of industry bodies, which believes that a shared blueprint and joint action are vital to make sure that future skies are efficient, clean and safe and can generate
global economic prosperity and social welfare.

CANSO asks us to imagine the airspace of 2045 – maximised to its fullest potential as a global resource; a unified, optimised, sustainable and safe environment where people and goods move effortlessly in a mix of manned and unmanned vehicles; a smart and connected
network that is resilient and scalable; a healthy and competitive marketplace with a proud culture of innovation and agility; and an industry that is thriving with a new generation of highly skilled talent.

The Alliance believes strongly that the frontline workforce is vital to any plan or vision moving forward. But how does this vision include OUR MEMBERS, and what is the vision on how the future will look for the workforce? OUR most important mission IS INCLUSION AND COLLABORATION IN THE DELIVERY OF THE PLAN

CANSO’s VIEW IS THAT over the next two decades, extensive and collective changes must be made to make this vision a reality.

This panel will explore these issues and also look at regional complexities, THE POSSIBILITIES OF ‘ONE SIZE FITS ALL’ SOLUTIONS and determining how we factor in the flexibility that is needed across the globe to maximize the efficiencies of the area/region at hand.