Oceanic air traffic control based on space-time division multiple access

Abstract

This paper has conducted a practical experiment to investigate the transmission characteristics between the two aircrafts on the air in aeronautical VHF frequency band. Based on that, a proper scheme combining the two typical features in any avionics application, space and time domains respectively. Space-Time Division Multiple Access (S-TDMA) scheme is incorporated were each sub frame is considered for each sub area. With high accuracy timing derived from other applications, all aircrafts in each sub area are operated autonomously from transmitting, broadcasting its own position information or relaying the neighbor's position information. In addition, against the unevenly distributed aircrafts, ADS-TSR (Autonomous Distance Based-Time Slot Reuse) scheme is proposed to enhance spectrum usage and system performance as well. The system shows the capability in enabling a new generation of widening the view for cockpit display not only for nearby area but also beyond the horizon and contribute to the feasibility of the future trend, a concept of free flight in aviation industry.