The ANASTASIA project: A contribution to the definition of a future aeronautical communication system

Abstract

Project objectives: The core of ANASTASIA (Airborne New Advanced Satellite Techniques & Technologies in a System Integrated Approach) research is to provide on-board Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) solutions to cope with the foreseen doubling of air traffic by 2020. ANASTASIA will carry out research of future technology and system architectures for navigation, resulting in the development of a new generation of airborne Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers for all phases of flight. Such systems will offer accurate and safe global navigation while reducing avionics cost through the optimisation of the number and complexity of on board equipment. On the communication side, work will concentrate on the design and implementation of a prototype Satcom system that will meet the evolving European Air Traffic Management (ATM) requirements. Research will also be made into higher bandwidth services, systems and airborne equipment to efficiently meet long term future aircraft communication requirements, including both ATM and passenger needs. The future needs of Surveillance will be consolidated with the requirements and key technology tests from Communications and Navigation. Expected results: The main goal of ANASTASIA is to pave the way for the introduction of new satellite-based technologies into aircraft operations in both Navigation and Communications. The main outcome of ANASTASIA will be recommendations for future civil aircraft operation and a set of evaluated technologies and avionics architectures achievable from 2010 that will enable more autonomous, satellite-based aircraft operation. Paper focus: After a general description of the rationale of the project and of its global CNS objectives, the focus is made in this paper on the communication side where more detailed objectives and initial results are presented.