The way to the future has already started: ICAO Aeronautical Telecommunication Network (ATN) using Internet Protocol Suite (IPS) Standards and Protocol evolution update

Abstract

Millions of people are able to exchange information over phones, computers, tablets and an array of new interconnected devices such as sensors, cameras, home appliances and others are increasingly becoming networked. At the core of this sizeable interconnection is a set of underlying protocols that enable millions of devices to seamlessly talk to each other. Aviation, as many other industries have, utilizes the internet protocol for ground-to-ground network communications and efforts are underway to bring it to the cockpit.In 2015, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) published the second edition of Document 9896 (Doc 9896) titled: Manual on the Aeronautical Telecommunication Network (ATN) using Internet Protocol Suite (IPS) Standards and Protocol. This manual adopted the Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) for Internet layer interoperability. Document 9896 defined data communications protocols and services to be used for implementing aeronautical telecommunication network (ATN) using the Internet protocol suite (IPS). The document provided technical specifications that addressed security, network and transport protocols, described applications, supported by ATN/IPS and provided communications guidance. The international aviation community working under the guidance of ICAO initiated work on updates to Doc 9896. Under the ICAO Communication Panel, Working Group Internetworking (WG-I) got this challenging task. Key areas of work for WG-I are related to ATN/IPS Security and ANT/IPS Mobility. Two sub-groups have been assembled to work on these elements. The ICAO anticipates the release of updated Doc 9896 in 2020. Additional ATN/IPS standardization efforts include Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics Special Committee 223 (RTCA SC-223) IPS profile development, Airlines Electronic Engineering Committee (AEEC) A658 Roadmap of IPS future activities and European Organization for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) WG-108 development of guidance documentation.This paper describes ICAO WG-I approach to update key areas of the document in closed coordination with AEEC, RTCA and EUROCAE committees supporting the development of ATN/IPS. Additionally, the paper will explore WG-I mobility solutions under investigation, security developments, IPv6 addressing challenges and other proposed updates. Finally, as new operational expectations such as Free Route and Remote Piloted Aircraft System integration are currently pushing the boundaries set by old operational concepts, the paper identifies the emerging new challenges that will drive the ATN/IPS development beyond 2020. They are related to future voice utilization, System Wide Information Management and Remotely Piloted Aircraft System deployment. IPS systems are seen as the only way forward.