Operational readiness testing of data-link front-end processor (DLFEP) at Maastricht and Karlsruhe control centres

In order to cope with the ever-increasing traffic in Europe and to replace radio voice communication when they are not possible or safe enough, EUROCONTROL, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, created the Link2000+ programme. This initiative was designed to plan and co-ordinate the implementation of operational air-ground data-link services for ATC, in compliance with ICAO norms and standards. Since end 2008, the legal framework known as the Single European Sky (SES) developed by the European Commission requires through the data-link services implementing rule (DL-IR) the implementation of ATN/VDL2 data link services across Europe by 2013/2015. Being at the cutting edge of technology in CNS/ATM concepts, EUROCONTROL and the German Air Navigation Service Provider DFS contracted the Egis Avia/SITA consortium in 2006 to supply the next generation of data-link gateway systems for Maastricht ATCC and Karlsruhe UAC. Egis Avia/SITAs DL-FEP enables to communicate seamlessly with both ATN and ACARS/FANS aircraft through accommodation functions and meets stringent interoperability and safety requirements. In 2009, site acceptance testing has been carried out at Karlsruhe for DFS and is under process at Maastricht for EUROCONTROL. This phase will be followed by technical training on both sites and by operational acceptance testing before summer 2009. Associated with the ProATN router, Egis Avia's datalink product baseline offers a complete and adaptive implementation of data-link services. Egis Avia's experts will be pleased to discuss and demonstrate the functionalities and benefits of their system at Egis Avia's booth n103 during ATC Global Exhibition, Amsterdam RAI, March 17th-19th.