Basic Analysis of Supply and Demand of Digital Satellite Communications in Air Traffic Management

Abstract

Major communication tools for air traffic control (ATC) and management (ATM) is still verbal-based system while digital communication system has been widely used in the other fields. Although some digital communication tools have been gradually and partially employed even in ATC system, digitalization of the communication systems for air traffic control is quite limited which will be promising technologies for enhancing efficiency and safety of ATC/ATM. This paper firstly summarizes the progress and issues of the communication system for ATC/ATM in Japan. Secondly, the demand and capacity balance for digital satellite communication system is analyzed based on the future air traffic demand prediction in Tokyo metropolitan airspace. Finally, the future direction and challenges for developing digital communication infrastructure for ATC/ATM are discussed based on the results of demand and capacity balance.