ADS-MEDUP - ADS Mediterranean Upgrade Programme
Overview
Background & policy context:
In partnership with European ATS providers and ATM Systems Manufacturing Industry the European Commission has promoted the development of emerging CNS / ATM technologies with the aim to solve the issues of perspective inefficiencies in the air transport domain of Europe. The ADS-MEDUP project represents such collaborative joint effort for the development and deployment of an ADS B infrastructure over a wide area around the Mediterranean allowing the test and validation of innovative applications based on satellite navigation and VDL Mode 4 data link technologies. This infrastructure includes base stations, a telecommunication network, experimental ATC systems with enhanced automation capabilities, interconnection with a number of existing Area Control Centres and adequately equipped aircraft. Coverage of the full area is ensured by 8 MEDUP Ground Stations (MGS) linked together through digital communication links.
Objectives:
The main objectives of ADS MEDUP were:
- the establishment of an extended air-ground digital data link infrastructure (based on VDL-4);
- the development of ADS-B and other ATM applications (enabled by the above data link);
- the pre-operational flight testing of same;
- the assessment of possible future benefits obtainable in the Mediterranean area.
A further role of ADS MEDUP was to provide the infrastructure for the Mediterranean Free Flight (MFF) Programme, which started in 2000 and was completed in 2005.
Methodology:
The ADS MEDUP Programme is split in three phases, namely:
Phase A1, with a duration of about one and half year, started in March 2000 and was completed at the end of 2002. It included:
- initial studies, gathering of updated information, definition of operational scenarios, etc;
- establishment of detailed operational requirements and specifications;
- development of one prototype for the core applications, according to the specifications established;
- laboratory testing of the prototype.
Phase A2, with a duration of about one and half year, partially interlaced with Phase A1 and was completed at the end of 2003. It included:
- infrastructure development and their initial deployment (in three pilot sites, two in Italy and one in Spain and in two a/c, one in Italy and one in Spain);
- pre-operational tests of limited scope and/or area (ground system tests and preliminary verification flights);
- discussion of interim results and plans for Phase B.
Phase B, with a duration of about two years, partially interlaced with Phase A2, and was completed at the end of 2004. This phase included:
- appropriate updating of scenarios and operational requirements;
- completion of infrastructure deployment in the different States;
- pre-operational tests in a wide area context (completion of verification flights, interconnection of ground nodes, interoperability tests);
- demonstration flights, interviews to users (ATC Controllers and Pilots);
- final report including proper considerations on operational benefits, safety, institutional issues, exploitation.
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