SESAR
Below: SDM has already helped to deliver 115 ATM modernisation projects in just over four years
well-spent and addressing the needs of the
European economy and citizens. The Court
does not recommend a stop to funding. This
is because significant progress in
synchronizing ATM modernization in the
context of SESAR deployment was made in
the past few years and has now also been
recognized by the ECA.
Modernising Europe’s ATM is not only
necessary to reduce delays but also of key
importance to battle climate change and
achieve greater sustainability. The result of
pro-active coordination co-funded by EU is
that nearly 90% of the Regulation is either
completed, on-going or planned. It is this
high level of preparation and anticipation by
all stakeholders which is the actual benefit of
the EU investment in SESAR deployment
Digitization as a game changer
SDM coordinates several digitization
projects in European ATM. Within its
mandate as Data Link Services (DLS)
Implementation Project Manager, SDM has
made significant progress. (see maps below)
Mid July, SDM launched a website focused
on the implementation of Automatic
Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADSB)
to provide a frequently updated snapshot
of the ADS-B deployment status in Europe.
The website is part of the information
exchange set up by SDM to facilitate a timely
and synchronized implementation of ADS-B
throughout Europe. SDM, with support
from Eurocontrol, is executing the European
ADS-B Implementation programme and
monitoring the growth of ADS-B uptake in
accordance with Surveillance Performance
and Interoperability regulation (SPI IR).
ADS-B involves an aircraft using a
certified position source to determine its
position which it then broadcasts in short
intervals by means of a data link in the radio
frequency spectrum.
Conversely, an aircraft can be fitted with
an ADS-B receiver – processor to display the
detected ADS-B transmissions from other
aircraft to the pilot.
14 AIR TRAFFIC TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL 2020
With ADS-B, cost-effective real-time
visibility is provided to air traffic control and
to other equipped ADS-B aircraft with
position and velocity data transmitted
periodically. In high complexity
environments such as the EU airspace,
ADS-B is envisaged to operate in
conjunction with existing independent
cooperative chains, greatly enhancing
accuracy, data availability and reducing
frequency load.
The adoption rate of ADS-B is in line with
the Airspace User’s plans reported to the
SESAR Deployment Manager (SDM), which
established that 70 to 75% uptake could be
achieved in the EU registered, SPI-IR
mandated fleet by the compliance deadline
of June 7th 2020.
End-to-end digitalization
SDM is also facilitating and coordinating the
SES Digital Backbone (Single European Sky
(SES) Digital Backbone), which aims to
underpin an essential data exchange
Above: Status of the implemenation of Data Link Services in Europe