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ARINC & PowerTrunk Partnership to Upgrade GLOBALink Ground Radio at LAX

September 24, 2013
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GlobalinkLos Angeles International Airport (LAX) have been using ARINC’s GLOBALink ground radio services since 2001 for the delivery of mission critical messaging information to airline passenger services, ground handlers and security teams, ground support staff and airline ramp personnel.

ARINC has partnered with PowerTrunk, a subsidiary company of Teltronic, who design, manufacture and implement digital and analog land mobile radio on a global scale.  Together, they will install Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) as a part of the ARINC GLOBALink upgrade for mission critical transmissions of airline and ground-based communications.  This will be the first North American deployment of the TETRA technology in the industry of aviation.

“TETRA is an ideal communications technology for airport and airline use,” said Carlos Fernandez, VP of Business Development for PowerTrunk. “It uniquely combines telephone-like voice and data services with dynamically configurable group call capability in a single, privately operated radio network platform”.

The TETRA platform will bring improved voice clarity and RF spectrum efficiency with multiple conversations capability.  ARINC leads the way with the recently approved TETRA platform, testing new products and operational behaviour in a fully functional demonstration environment.

“We are pleased to provide our valued customers at LAX with the latest technology which is currently deployed for airports and airlines globally,” said John Monto, Director, Radio Technology Solutions at ARINC. “We believe this upgrade, and the associated benefits it brings for ground communications, will enable ARINC’s customers at LAX to get their jobs done in a more timely and efficient manner.”

Revised Format of NOTAMs by the FAA

September 20, 2013
Business Aviation News
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In a bid to harmonize the US system of NOTAMs with the ICAO standards, a new and revised format of the delivery of NOTAMs is expected on 1st October.

Improvements will include the definition of numbers to removed the ‘guesswork’ when it comes to units of measurement in the case of FT, LB & NM.  Altitudes will be defined with upper and lower limits and changes to the usability of runways and declared distances will be clear.

The changes come as a part of the 2012 Pilot’s Bill of Rights, which has highlighted and authorized the improvements to the NOTAMs system in the US.  Pilots will be able to access necessary information about their route of flight, prioritizing will filters in alignment with their flight profile.

Field Condition (FICON) NOTAMs will be listed amongst the biggest changes.  Pilots and flight crews will be able to file a Pilot Reported FICON with a list of runway contaminants reportable in the situation of an unmonitored field.

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) have an active role in the evaluation of the current NOTAMs system and the recommendation of improvements as a member of the RTCA Tactical Operations Committee.  Another goal is to introduce an improved, user-friendly format for the system delivery of NOTAMs, enabling access with tablets and smart phone technology.

Airport Information Infrastructure System at Al Maktoum, Dubai

September 18, 2013
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In a move towards the NextGen Airport Operations System initiative, Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central has awarded the contract for a comprehensive airport information infrastructure system to Dubai Technology Partners LLC and UFIS Airport Solutions.

The critical solution will help in the interim during the work involved in the implementation of the NextGen initiative and will reinforce the airport information infrastructure for Dubai Airports.

The first passenger terminal, due to open in October of this year, will have the capacity for over 5 million passengers annually, with that figure expected to rise to 160 million passengers per year upon its completion within the next 10 years.

The contract includes implementation of Flight Information Processing System, Resource Management System, Airport Operational Database and Flight Information Display System.

Integrated airport information infrastructure encompasses flight information and passenger data through to perimeter security solutions and vehicle identification.  Industry leading providers of advanced information management, such as ARINC, offer a complete suite of solutions for airport information infrastructure with its innovative ARINC AIM.

ARINC AIM gives facilities across the world cost-efficient solution for access management, physical security and airport information infrastructure management.

ARINC C-130B Project in Indonesia for Mission-Critical Communications Upgrades & Retrofit.

September 10, 2013
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Mission critical CommunicationsARINC Inc is progressing ‘aggressively’ with the completion of its contract with the Indonesian Government to modernize five of its C-130B aircraft for the Indonesian Airforce, it was announced today.

The project, which began in early 2011 is on schedule and on budget and will help to modernize the transport fleet and upgrade mission critical communications for humanitarian purposes.  There is structural work being carried out in addition to the retrofit of upgraded technology to enhance capabilities.

The work is being carried out by ARINC onsite, which enables the Indonesian Airforce to receive all the benefits of ARINC’s significant skills and knowledge, without having to bear the cost of the transportation of the aircraft to the Aerospace division of ARINC in Oklahoma.

All the parts required have been exported to the modifications facility in Indonesia and work is well underway.  The key milestones have been reached!

ARINC offer innovative solutions to mission critical communications with superior satellite services over the Inmarsat network.  They have been delivering mission critical communications for over 80 years and are well-placed in the industry, having an unparalleled reputation for excellence.

“ARINC Aerospace is uniquely qualified to perform this type of work,” noted Michael Young, Vice President of ARINC Aerospace. “We have far-reaching experience on multiple platforms and a broad range of capabilities. We are pleased that the project is going so well and that we are growing closer to the goal of enhancing the capabilities of the Indonesian Air Force.”

Lancaster County Public Safety Radio System – Phase I Testing Completed by ARINC

August 1, 2013
Business Aviation News
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ARINC have successfully completed Phase 1 of the testing for a new P25 public safety radio system for Lancaster County, which will be a welcome replacement for the current 30-year old technology and bring mission-critical communications up-to-the-minute.

mission critical communicationsThe tests were passed with flying colours, with fire fighters and 911 dispatchers present for the background noise demonstration.  The demonstration was a sight to see, with a recreation of the likely noise levels that would occur in a real fire emergency – although it was noted that the noise levels far exceeded those of a ‘normal’ emergency situation.

The clarity of the radio system, which was tested with radios from four manufacturers and with Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus and Personal Alert Safety System alarm with and without amplifiers was much improved, and the mission-critical communications could clearly be heard over the noise of two fire trucks, two smoke clearing fans and a chainsaw running at full throttle!

The $20 million contract was awarded to ARINC in August 2012 and the implementation of the system will significantly improve communications with emergency responders across Lancaster County and beyond, into surrounding counties where mutual aid is provided by multiple agencies.

“The sound quality of the ARINC systems is exceptional and will enable fire fighters and other first responders to avoid the breakdowns in communication that can hinder effectiveness,” said Michael Weaver, Lancaster County’s 911 Director. “We are extremely pleased with the ARINC system.”

ARINC Inc provides secure solutions for mission-critical communications across the world, offering peace of mind to public and government authorities, commercial and business aviation.

Bangor Aviation Company Expansion Plan

July 18, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Military Mission-Critical CommuniationsC&L Aerospace, based in Bangor, Maine, provider of services to the commercial and military aviation industries, has announced plans to undertake a $5 million expansion project.

It is hoped that the planned expansion will turn the company into a one-stop service centre for aircraft owners and operators within military aviation.

The company intend to spend $1.8 million in a project to upgrade its 17,000 sq ft hangar into an aviation paint shop facility and plans maintenance hangar improvements to the tune of around another $3 million.

If the facility expansion and upgrade plan goes ahead as planned, the resulting work will open up opportunities for around 50-70 jobs.

Motorola Solutions for Mission Critical Communications with TETRA Radio

May 24, 2013
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Today, Motorola Solutions announced its intention to release its groundbreaking Terrestrial Trunked Radio, commonly known as TETRA in the form of the next generation handheld device which will revolutionize the delivery of mission-critical communications, combining TETRA and LTE.

The TETRA service was introduced for emergency services, military and government agencies, public safety networks staff and other public sector staff for mission-critical communications, enabling secure network switching.

The new Motorola MTS4L base station enables, with the combined TETRA/TEDS and LTE, the choice of the user for when and where, (and even at which frequency), LTE can be added to their core operations networks.

Motorola hope that their new system will overtake the use of Smartphones, as their station will provide a secure environment for voice, data and video communications that can operate on public or private 3G/LTE and Wi-Fi networks.

The MTP6750 TETRA handheld, also has an impressive 5 megapixel camera, featuring Photograph and Intelligence Communications System (PICS), which will enable authenticated management of photographic evidence through a shared connection – incredibly useful for Police wishing to secure evidence or for a Doctor attending an emergency situation, for example, as is being used by Danish Health.

The uses for the Motorola technology are almost limitless; Police Vehicles (CPV) features integrated applications for key recognition functions, activating the TETRA radio with sirens or lights, technology for reading and recognition of license plates and video surveillance – all data-linked to share the information with the relevant network and for the delivery of mission-critical communications.

The combination of integrated applications with off-the-shelf hardware will make the Motorola TETRA Radio the must-have accessory for all personnel, agencies and departments in modern public sector services, rail and aviation operations for all mission critical communications.

mission critical communications

Mission Critical Communications

UTC Supports FCC Proposal to Protect Mission-Critical Communications

April 22, 2013
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Last week the Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) supported the FCC proposal to provide a specific spectrum for mission critical communications and urged them not to include commercial mission critical communications service providers, which could lead to congestion or interference in the band.

UTC also supported the decision to combine the 3.5 GHz and 3.65 GHz bands, leading to the creation of a 150 MHz juxtaposed spectrum, offering additional capacity and allowing for coordination of real-time operations within a regulatory framework, preventing interference, relying on a Spectrum Access System.

“The 3.5 GHz band can be used effectively to support various utility communications needs, such as grid modernization and emergency response in the aftermath of hurricanes, storms and other disasters when utilities work with public safety and restore service,” said UTC’s Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs & Deputy General Council, Brett Killbourne. “As such, UTC applauds the Commission for its initiative in proposing in the 3.5 GHz rulemaking to establish a Priority Access tier for utilities’ and other mission critical communications.”

LTE-based Data Communications Not Accessible for Mission Critical Communications until 2018

March 11, 2013
Business Aviation News
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It has been announced that LTE-based data communications, despite the on-going development of LTE consumer networks, will not be accessible for mission critical communications until 2018, according to Critical Communications Broadband Group (CCBG).

It is not until 2020 that mission critical users can expect reasonable quality voice services using Long-Term Evolution technology.

Data-only LTE services are commercially operational, but consumer based voice LTE solutions are a long way off yet.

According to Phil Kidner, Chief Executive Officer of the TETRA & Critical Communications Association (TCCA) ‘Achieving industry synergy is crucial to ensure uninterrupted availability of mission-critical communications services. LTE is currently designed for commercial use.  There is no viable replacement on the horizon for the current technologies employed by critical communications users.’

To provide a necessary footing for mission-critical communications, four key areas within LTE standards must be addressed, to ensure the moving-forward of the technology towards multimedia communications:

  • Group Communication System Enablers
  • Proximity-based Services
  • Public Safety Network Resiliency
  • Push-To-Talk (PTT)

The acceptance of GSCE and ProSe by 3GPP as WID’s that will be integrated into the planned Release 12 of 3GPP LTE specification in 2014 is notably a major breakthrough by the CCBG.

A weakness lies in the framework of Critical Networks Resilience in LTE design, being no provision for the accommodation of any potential loss of signal between the base station and the core communications network.  The hope is to include a solution in the planned Release 13 of 3GPP LTE in 2016.

Other mission critical data communications suppliers such as ARINC do offer a platform for communication needs suited to the military and government with simultaneous voice and data communications with optional guaranteed bandwidth for those high traffic critical services.

Military Communications Advances

January 18, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Russia sent three military communications satellites into orbit this month aboard a converted ballistic missile launched, marking the first space launch of 2013.

The Rockot launch vehicle lifted off at 1625 GMT on a two-hour mission to put three military communications satellites in an orbit 900 miles above Earth.

The Rockot is a modified two-stage missile built to deliver nuclear payloads to distant targets.

Mission Critical Military Communications

Mission Critical Military Communications

The mission was the first space launch of 2013, and it marked the first use of a Breeze upper stage since a similar vehicle ran into trouble during the launch of a Proton rocket in December.

The Proton rocket, which launches commercial communications satellites with the Breeze M upper stage variant, has been grounded since a Dec. 8 launch left Russia’s Yamal 402 spacecraft in the wrong orbit.

Military communications across the globe continue to advance and grow with providers such as ISR offering specialist services for the industry.