B-AMC – Aeronautical Broadband Communication in the L-Band

Abstract

B-AMC (Broadband Aeronautical Multi-Carrier communications) is a proposal for a future aeronautical communica-tions system to be operated in the aeronautical L-band. B-AMC is based on the results of the Broadband-VHF (B-VHF) project, although, due to the different spectrum allo-cation and propagation conditions in the L-band, basic physical layer parameters had to be adapted. In that process, the physical layer has been redesigned such as to support air to ground (A/G) communication as well as direct air to air (A/A) communication without requiring a ground relay station. The B-AMC system has been de-signed to coexist with Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) in terms of interference and duty-cycle. As a result of the physical layer adaptations a different approach for the higher layers has been required. The revised B-AMC data link layer is based on the experience gained during the B-VHF project. One key issue for the revision was the conceptional shift from primarily supporting digital voice to optimised data communications. The other design goals were the definition of a data link protocol stack capable of fulfilling the stringent requirements of the aeronautical environment – providing high performance, low latency and low duty cycle. The B-AMC study is funded by EUROCONTROL.