FAA selects FREQUENTIS for digitlisation of air ground communications

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded Frequentis a contract to implement the air-to-ground protocol converter system (APCS) for the U.S. National Airspace System, which supports over one billion passengers per year.

The APCS will replace the existing radio control equipment in the NAS. Migrating from the current analogue and time division multiplexing (TDM) communication to digital internet protocol (IP) communication has many benefits including enhanced communication, improved surveillance, increased efficiency, and added security. These are crucial in an industry where communication is key to ensuring the safety and efficiency of air travel.

“Frequentis is pleased to have been selected by the FAA for its APCS program,” says Dieter Eier, President Frequentis USA. “We are looking forward to helping the FAA to migrate its air to ground network into the IP world. With IP-centric voice communication, both voice and data can be transmitted using the same IP network infrastructure, also resulting in cost savings increased flexibility and scalability.”

The scope of work includes all services and supplies required for the successful design, development, test, and deployment of the APCs, including program management, systems engineering, test and evaluation, delivery, installation, integrated logistics support (including training), and operational support. The system is also ED137 compliant, ensuring system interoperability, reliability, and quality.

Frequentis USA has been providing voice communications and data information systems for FAA, Department of Defense, NASA and other U.S. government agencies for over two decades. Frequentis was also recently selected by Verizon for the FAA’s Enterprise Network Services (FENS) contract that implements TDM to IP solutions for FAA NAS and administrative communication domains.