Aerospace Vehicle Systems Institute
Update on WAIC Issues
ITU-R Working Party 5B
and Future Regulatory
Considerations
Joe Cramer
December 16, 2009
Aerospace Vehicle Systems Institute
Agenda
 AVSI and WAIC
 Importance of WAIC
 ITU-R Working Party 5B Update
 Issues Discussed and Documents
 37-38 GHz band
 22.55-23.15 GHz band
 ICAO and Future Course of Action
 Initial Thoughts on Potential Frequency Bands
 Potential Future WRC Agenda Item
 Role of ICAO and ITU-R
Slide 5
Aerospace Vehicle Systems Institute
AVSI and WAIC
 What is AVSI
 Aerospace Vehicle System Institute - A cooperative of aerospace industries and
government agencies. Members include Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing,
Bombardier, Embraer, Goodrich, Gulfstream, GE Aviation, Honeywell, NASA,
United Technologies, US DoD (observer).
 Brings together industry, government and academia to focus on developing
improved aerospace vehicles.
 Creates an environment for collaboration on R&D; investigates emerging
technologies; influences standards and policies to promote cost effective systems
development and certification.
 What is WAIC
 An official project of AVSI
 Radiocommunications between two or more points on a single aircraft.
 May include integrated wireless components and/or installed components.
 Part of a closed, exclusive network required for operation of the aircraft.
 Do not provide air-to-ground or air-to-air communications.
 Only safety related applications are being contemplated.
Aerospace Vehicle Systems Institute
AVSI and WAIC
 Potential WAIC Applications
 Low Data Rate, Interior Applications:
 Cabin Pressure
 Engine Sensors
 Smoke Detection Sensor Data (unoccupied and occupied areas)
 Low Data Rate, Outside Applications:
 Ice Detection
 Landing Gear/Brake Temperature Sensors
 Engine Sensors
 High Data Rate, Interior Applications:
 Flight Deck/Cabin Crew Video and Audio
 Air Data Sensors
 Engine Prognostic Sensors
 High Data Rate, Outside Applications
 Structural Sensor Data
 Avionics Communications Bus
 Active Vibration Control
Aerospace Vehicle Systems Institute
Importance of WAIC to the Aviation Industry
 Wireless connectivity can improve flight-safety and operational
efficiency, while reducing manufacturing and operational costs.
 Wireless link for redundancy
 Reduce aging wiring and associated conditions
 Weight Reduction Potential – environmental benefits
 Increased Reliability
 Fewer connector pins/failures, cracked insulation, & broken conductors
 Mesh networks could provide redundancy
 Improve Operational Efficiency
 Ability to obtain more data from aircraft surfaces
 Less wire maintenance to remediate chafing conditions
 Simplify and reduce life-cycle cost of airplane wiring
 Reduced weight should save fuel costs
Aerospace Vehicle Systems Institute
ITU-R Working Party 5B - Update
WP5B is lead ITU-R Group
WAIC Preliminary Draft New Report
 Inputs from CEPT, US and Brazil – 4th meeting with inputs
 US and CEPT documents almost identical, Brazil provided Glossary of
Terms
 Technical Characteristics and Operational Objectives
 Working Document upgraded to a Preliminary Draft New Report
 Next step is to make document a “Draft New Report”, and then Report
 Now must start considering whether an Agenda Item is needed
Several Liaison Statements Sent
 WP5C (Fixed Service) – (37-38 GHz band)
 WP7B (Space Services) – (37-38, 22.55-23.15 GHz bands)
Slide 5
Aerospace Vehicle Systems Institute
WAIC Update – 37-38 GHz Band
 WRC-12 Agenda Item 1.12 seeks to determine if the
aeronautical mobile service can be removed from the 37-38
GHz band
 WAIC might be able to use this band
 Want to protect Space Research and Fixed Services
 WP 5B provided technical information (PDNR) to WP 7B and
to 5C (responsible groups)
 WP 5B asks whether any of the classifications of WAIC can be
acceptable
 Preliminary Political Analysis
 Most countries will consider keeping AMS allocation if studies support
sharing with WAIC
Slide 5
Aerospace Vehicle Systems Institute
WAIC Update – 22.55-23.15 GHz Band
 WRC-12 Agenda Item 1.11 seeks to permit the Space
Research Service in the 22.55-23.15 GHz band.
 Liaison statement to WP 7B sent that states WAIC will not
consider this band.
Slide 5
Aerospace Vehicle Systems Institute
ICAO and Future Course of Action
AVSI has started reviewing potential bands
 First bands reviewed - see input to ICAO WG-F meeting
 4200-4400 MHz
 5030-5091 MHz
 9300-9500 MHz
Potential Future WRC Agenda Item
 Focus on “Aviation” bands
 Review current RTCA, EuroCae, ICAO, ITU-R protection criteria.
 Should make job easier at ITU-R
 Will require extensive technical analysis, marketing and education of
aviation regulatory bodies
 Focus on Bands above 20? GHz
Slide 5
Aerospace Vehicle Systems Institute
Need for ICAO and ITU-R Regional Support
 If an Agenda Item is required, then support from APT and
ICAO is required
 Important that world-wide allocation(s) be obtained
 Spectrum usage must fall within ICAO Convention
 Equipment certification must have same regulatory benefits as
“avionics” and other aviation equipment
 The Service Definition chosen for WAIC requires support
Slide 5
Aerospace Vehicle Systems Institute
ITU-R Working Party 5B - Issues
Potential Service Issue
 What Service will WAIC applications be considered under? – Most likely
Service is Aeronautical Mobile (Route) Service.
 ICAO and Arab States will most likely insist on this definition
Slide 5