Sun, Aug 21, 2011
ARINC Selected To Validate VDL Mode 2 Avionics Under 2013
Mandate
The contract to provide Eurocontrol with a test
system to validate the functioning of VDL Mode 2 (VDL2) avionics in
a multi-frequency environment has been awarded to Annapolis,
MD-based ARINC Incorporated. ARINC’s validation system will
be installed in a new laboratory at the Eurocontrol Experimental
Center (EEC) in Bretigny, France, the same location where ARINC
installed a VDL2 testbed in 2004 for Eurocontrol under the Link2000
Program.
Validation of avionics will be a critical step for the European
air transport community, who face a DataLink Services Implementing
Rule to implement Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications
(CPDLC), based on VDL Mode 2 avionics, for Air Traffic Control
communications.
“This is an important new agreement for both ARINC and
Eurocontrol,” stated Andy Hubbard, ARINC EMEA Managing
Director. “It extends a successful 10-year strategic
partnership that underpinned the rollout of VDL Mode 2 in the
Maastricht FIR under the Link2000 Program. And it retains the
10-year knowledge base acquired by both parties to accelerate the
progress of CPDLC moving forward.”
Europe’s busy Maastricht Upper Air Center
and many CPDLC “pioneer” airlines have been using VDL
Mode 2 communications since 2004 under the EC Link2000 Program. But
with anticipated growth of air traffic going forward, multiple VDL2
frequencies will soon be needed to support the required capacity.
All VDL2 systems will need to operate reliably in a multi-frequency
environment by changing channels as required to maximize
performance and avoid frequency congestion. Testing of this
functionality has not been done before. Under EC Regulation
#29/2009, the “core” air navigation service providers
in Europe must be operating CPDLC in upper airspace by February
2013. All new aircraft delivered from February 2011 must have a
CPDLC system on board, and a significant number of older aircraft
must be retrofitted by February 2015.
ARINC initially provided a test system at the Bretigny EEC
facility to test avionics behavior in a single-frequency VDL Mode 2
laboratory environment. With the new ARINC system, Eurocontrol is
now preparing to carry out laboratory tests of avionics in a
multi-frequency environment. Installation work will be
completed by December 15, 2011 and the facility should go live
shortly thereafter.
Multi frequency capability for VDL Mode 2 is a significant
development for the industry, as it will help ensure sufficient
network capacity and resilience in the future. ARINC’s VDL
Mode 2 service, GLOBALink/VDLM2, is available in most busy
airspaces worldwide.
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