Space Air Ground Integrated Network: Communication Network for Air Traffic Control

Abstract

The satellite networks are used for technological enhancement in many fields including mobile communication (i.e. 5G technology). Similarly, the aviation industry is in process of adopting the satellite network for effective and efficient air traffic control for enhancing the safety of passengers and aircrafts. Recently, the space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system is introduced for aviation industry as an advancement of existing radar-based surveillance. Moreover, this system has its limitations such as inefficient satellite network utilization, global adaptability, and many more; which advocates its ineffectiveness as an efficient surveillance system. The challenges faced by the aviation industry can be resolved by using heterogeneous networks such as the Space-Air-Ground Integrated Network (SAGIN). Therefore, in this work, challenges faced by aviation industry and lagging in current and under-development systems are discussed, besides, a framework based on SAGIN is proposed for air traffic control. Moreover, the Satellite Communication Protocol Specifications (SCPS) is proposed for air traffic control communication and the proposed framework is simulated.