Datalink end-to-end system performance analysis methodology

• Main Authors: Atia, Omar E., Monticone, Leone C., Ribeiro, Leila Z.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerospace electronics; Aircraft; Automation; Availability; Downlink; Message systems; Poles and towers
• ISSN: 2155-4943; 2155-4951
• DOI: 10.1109/ICNSurv.2014.6820003

This paper proposes a methodology developed to determine End-to-End (E-2-E) Data Link performance concentrating on the Tower and En Route domains. This methodology was developed to support the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)'s Data Communications (Data Comm) program in allocating performance requirements. The Data Comm program is part of the FAA's NextGen initiative to implement advanced communication capabilities in the National Airspace (NAS). The methodology can be potentially applied to other Data Link systems. The paper provides an overview of an aviation Data Link system, including high-level system architecture and a summarized description of sample transactions of some of the services to be provided. To calculate E-2-E performance for transactions, the threads involved in the transaction are presented as groups of subsystems in series. Each group of subsystems is assigned a performance measure and then the total performance is aggregated to arrive at the E-2-E performance. The paper lists the key strategies and assumptions used in developing the mathematical models and descriptions of performance measures. The proposed performance measures analyzed are focused on the Required Communications Technical Performance (RCTP) portion of the service which does not include human interaction, and addresses measures such as Reliability, Maintainability and Availability (RMA), Timing (Latency), and Integrity. Sample calculations for these performance measures are provided, using examples of allocation across multiple components and system threads. The methodology supports the assessment of compliance of proposed solutions to meet system performance and safety requirements such as those stated in the FAA regulations [1], RTCA performance document [2] and ICAO Standards and Recommended Practice (SARPS) document [3].