Sofreavia/SITA to Supply Datalink Gateway for Europe's CPDLC

Eurocontrol and DFS, Germany's ANSP (air navigation service provider), have contracted with the Sofreavia/SITA consortium to supply its next generation of datalink gateway systems known as DL-FEP (datalink front end processor).

The DL-FEP is an important component of Eurocontrol's LINK2000+ Programme, which is coordinating the implementation of CPDLC (controller pilot datalink communications) across Europe, including equipping aircraft that will operate in its airspace.

The system will be integrated with the air traffic management systems installed at the Maastricht Upper Airspace Control Centre (MUACC) and the DFS en-route center at Karlsruhe to enable air traffic controllers to exchange datalink messages with appropriately equipped aircraft.  According to Sofreavia/SITA, the system will be capable of handling both aircraft with ACARS (air aircraft communications addressing and reporting system) datalink technology and those with ATN (aeronautical telecommunication network) equipment.

Francis Brangier, Sofreavia's director of operations, said the European Commission is expected to adopt a "datalink implementation rule" under the Single European Sky initiative's "interoperability regulation" by the end of this year, which will require all European ANSPs to have DL-FEP equivalent functionality by "circa 2010."

A business case developed for the Link2000+ Programme estimates that, within 10 years, over three quarters of all movements (about 16,000 per day) in European airspace will be flown by datalink-equipped aircraft that will enable an 11% increase in airspace capacity, and should result in savings of about U.S. $180 million per year by 2013.  02-20-2007.

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