Nasa-Hitachi AeroMACS technology trials and Minimum Operational Performance System (MOPS) conformance testing

The Aeronautical Mobile Airport Communications System (AeroMACS) is a fourth generation wireless communications technology based on the IEEE 806.16-2009 standard that has been designed to deliver reliable communications to critical and non-critical systems on the airport surface. This broadband communications technology will enable airport operations modernization by providing networking capabilities to fixed and mobile nodes operating on the airport surface environment. It is anticipated that AeroMACS will deliver benefits to Air Navigation Service Providers, Airlines, Airport Authorities and others providing services to airports throughout the world. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in partnership with Hitachi, Ltd. and Hitachi Communication Technologies America, Inc. conducted field trials to evaluate communications system technical performance and conformance to Minimum Operational Performance System (MOPS) standards. This paper describes technology evaluation procedures and provides results of tests conducted at the NASA Glenn Research Center Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) test bed.