Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ATMACA (AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION OVER ATN/IPS)
Période du rapport: 2024-09-01 au 2025-08-31
Air traffic management (ATM) is undergoing a major digital transformation to support the Digital European Sky, requiring seamless, resilient, and secure air-to-ground communication. Current aeronautical communication systems, such as VHF voice and legacy VDL2 data link, are becoming inadequate due to limited capacity, fragmentation, and poor global coverage. In response, ATN/IPS (Aeronautical Telecommunication Network over Internet Protocol Suite) has been endorsed by ICAO and SESAR as the future global standard.
The ATMACA project proposes a comprehensive ATM and communication solution for the ATN/IPS environment, supporting the transition from legacy systems to a modern, flexible, and reliable digital infrastructure. ATMACA will be deployed across air traffic control sectors and aircraft domains to enable resilient, efficient, and interoperable air-ground communication services.
ATMACA introduces a robust service framework built around four key capabilities: Session Management, enabling persistent and contextual handling of communications; Connection Management, ensuring reliable and secure connectivity for operational continuity; Mobility Management, supporting seamless movement across users, devices, and networks; and Multilink Communication, optimising performance through redundancy and load balancing.
Based on these capabilities, ATMACA targets four operational improvements illustrated through its use cases: enhanced ATC and communication handover, flexible flight session management, consistent and seamless datalink operations with improved HMI for pilots and controllers, and Green Route Operations (GRO) for more accurate and efficient trajectory prediction and environmentally optimised flight planning.
The ATMACA project proposes a comprehensive ATM and communication solution for the ATN/IPS environment, supporting the transition from legacy systems to a modern, flexible, and reliable digital infrastructure. ATMACA will be deployed across air traffic control sectors and aircraft domains to enable resilient, efficient, and interoperable air-ground communication services.
ATMACA introduces a robust service framework built around four key capabilities: Session Management, enabling persistent and contextual handling of communications; Connection Management, ensuring reliable and secure connectivity for operational continuity; Mobility Management, supporting seamless movement across users, devices, and networks; and Multilink Communication, optimising performance through redundancy and load balancing.
Based on these capabilities, ATMACA targets four operational improvements illustrated through its use cases: enhanced ATC and communication handover, flexible flight session management, consistent and seamless datalink operations with improved HMI for pilots and controllers, and Green Route Operations (GRO) for more accurate and efficient trajectory prediction and environmentally optimised flight planning.
The project has demonstrated consistent progress towards its scientific and technical objectives through a solid management and coordination framework, effective regular meetings, continuous liaison with SESAR 3 JU, shared repositories and systematic quality control.
From a technical perspective, the consortium conducted an extensive analysis of current and future air-ground communication networks, identifying key limitations such as latency, coverage, and continuity. Based on these results, operational and system requirements were defined through consultations with pilots, air traffic controllers, and stakeholders. These requirements formed the basis for realistic operational scenarios and use cases, establishing the foundation for ATMACA’s conceptual operations and validation.
The ATMACA communication protocol was designed and implemented to enable secure, reliable, and continuous aeronautical data exchange over IP-based networks. The protocol was developed in modular architecture using modern techniques for session management, mobility, and multilink operations, and was successfully tested through simulations demonstrating high performance and compliance with international standards.
The project advanced the design of several Air Traffic Services applications. The GRO concept was simulated with real flight data to assess environmental and operational benefits. The Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) and Data Link Context Management (DLCM) applications reached detailed design stages, ensuring interoperability with existing ATM systems.
Human Machine Interface (HMI) requirements were also defined for tower and en-route controllers as well as for pilots. Initial mock-ups were developed using user-centred design methods, with feedback gathered from pilots and air traffic controllers.
Finally, integration and validation planning began earlier than scheduled to align with SESAR 3 JU recommendations. The validation roadmap and Evaluation and Reporting Plan (ERP) were drafted, preparing the ground for upcoming testing and demonstration activities.
Overall, the project achieved a strong technical foundation, successfully connecting the conceptual, protocol, and application layers of IP-based ATM communication, setting the stage for system integration and validation in the next phase.
From a technical perspective, the consortium conducted an extensive analysis of current and future air-ground communication networks, identifying key limitations such as latency, coverage, and continuity. Based on these results, operational and system requirements were defined through consultations with pilots, air traffic controllers, and stakeholders. These requirements formed the basis for realistic operational scenarios and use cases, establishing the foundation for ATMACA’s conceptual operations and validation.
The ATMACA communication protocol was designed and implemented to enable secure, reliable, and continuous aeronautical data exchange over IP-based networks. The protocol was developed in modular architecture using modern techniques for session management, mobility, and multilink operations, and was successfully tested through simulations demonstrating high performance and compliance with international standards.
The project advanced the design of several Air Traffic Services applications. The GRO concept was simulated with real flight data to assess environmental and operational benefits. The Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) and Data Link Context Management (DLCM) applications reached detailed design stages, ensuring interoperability with existing ATM systems.
Human Machine Interface (HMI) requirements were also defined for tower and en-route controllers as well as for pilots. Initial mock-ups were developed using user-centred design methods, with feedback gathered from pilots and air traffic controllers.
Finally, integration and validation planning began earlier than scheduled to align with SESAR 3 JU recommendations. The validation roadmap and Evaluation and Reporting Plan (ERP) were drafted, preparing the ground for upcoming testing and demonstration activities.
Overall, the project achieved a strong technical foundation, successfully connecting the conceptual, protocol, and application layers of IP-based ATM communication, setting the stage for system integration and validation in the next phase.
The ATMACA project has exceeded the state of the art in aeronautical communications by proposing an end-to-end ATN/IPS-based architecture integrating session continuity, mobility management, and multi-link resilience. It addresses changes in geography, connectivity, and operations through four mobility types: user, session, service, and terminal, ensuring seamless identity, uninterrupted sessions, consistent service access, and continuous connectivity. Planned simulations and emulations will validate core concepts and demonstrate measurable SESAR KPA improvements.
The ATMACA solution enables seamless ATC handovers while enhancing safety and reliability through redundant connectivity and fault-tolerant design. It introduces “flight sessions,” linking each flight to its communications, contextual data, and history to ensure continuity across operational phases and ATC units. It also supports new datalink applications such as GRO, enabling improved trajectory prediction, fuel efficiency and decision-making via real-time weather data sharing. ATMACA further advances ATM digitalisation with modular, software-defined, and SWIM-compatible services.
Looking forward, the project must address key needs to secure uptake and long-term impact. Further research and flight demonstrations will help increase TRL, while access to markets and financing for large-scale deployment will be explored. Commercialisation will turn prototypes into certified solutions, and clear IP management will ensure proper protection and exploitation of innovations. Global uptake will also require internationalisation and regulatory alignment.
The ATMACA solution enables seamless ATC handovers while enhancing safety and reliability through redundant connectivity and fault-tolerant design. It introduces “flight sessions,” linking each flight to its communications, contextual data, and history to ensure continuity across operational phases and ATC units. It also supports new datalink applications such as GRO, enabling improved trajectory prediction, fuel efficiency and decision-making via real-time weather data sharing. ATMACA further advances ATM digitalisation with modular, software-defined, and SWIM-compatible services.
Looking forward, the project must address key needs to secure uptake and long-term impact. Further research and flight demonstrations will help increase TRL, while access to markets and financing for large-scale deployment will be explored. Commercialisation will turn prototypes into certified solutions, and clear IP management will ensure proper protection and exploitation of innovations. Global uptake will also require internationalisation and regulatory alignment.