AeroMACS enables ground communications to support a wide variety of applications, including both current and new applications that require more bandwidth. It is a key technology to the aviation industry to improve communications on the airport surface by providing increased transmission of Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Airline Operations Communications (AOC) to support the safety and regularity of flight. AeroMACS supports the safety and regularity of flight communications of aircraft operators, airport authorities and air navigation services providers (ANSPs) by providing high bandwidth and prioritized communication over a common infrastructure dedicated to critical communication in the airport surface environment. AeroMACS has demonstrated its potential; its adoption by the aviation industry has widespread implementations around the world.

AeroMACS is cost-effective, designed to reduce costs and implementation time while enhancing profitability. Its adoption by the global aviation community reflects the need to establish a new framework for airport surface communications designed to advance the safety and regularity of flight. Global AeroMACS tests have been performed since 2007, implementations are increasing year over year, and it is expected to become ubiquitous in airports and aircrafts.

AeroMACS projects worldwide

Several AeroMACS projects are being contemplated or are under consideration. In some cases, installation is in progress at sites around the world. In the United States, over 10 airports have deployed AeroMACS projects and it has been confirmed to be widely implemented through the FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure (FTI) program. Though EUROCONTROL and SESAR JU, airports have undergone testing in multiple European countries. Progress is global: in Portugal, an AeroMACS project expansion has been completed. In Latin America, AeroMACS projects are being evaluated, with an installation already completed in Brazil.

Looking to Asia, China has implemented AeroMACS projects in over 20 airports and has been formally authorized to install AeroMACS in an additional 110 airports. The Civil Aviation Authority of China is supporting the implementation of AeroMACS across the Chinese National Air System to enable D-Taxi. In Japan, AeroMACS performance has been demonstrated in Haneda and Sendai airports. AeroMACS demonstrated high-capacity data transmission and offered higher communication link security than other current aeronautical communication systems available.

Promising the integration of multiple services into a single network

The AeroMACS wideband communications network can enable the sharing of graphical data and real-time video to significantly increase situational awareness, detect and minimize runway incursions, improve surface traffic movement and operations. AeroMACS offers the potential for integration of multiple services into a common broadband wireless network that also securely isolates the applications from each other.

Hundreds of applications have been identified to support key operational domains, and AeroMACS is able to provide airlines, air traffic control agencies, and airport authorities with the security and flexibility needed to innovate and improve air traffic management. For all these reasons, AeroMACS is the technology of choice to enable communications on the airport surface worldwide to support the safety and regularity of flight services.

About the WiMAX Forum and its advocacy

The WiMAX Forum, the leading nonprofit organization that certifies and promotes the compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products based on Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 802.16, with the cooperation of its member companies, continues to advocate worldwide about the benefits and capabilities of Aeronautical Mobile Airport Communication System (AeroMACS).

The WiMAX Forum is an industry-led, not-for-profit organization that certifies and promotes the compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products based upon IEEE Standard 802.16. The WiMAX Forum’s primary goal is to accelerate the adoption, deployment and expansion of WiMAX, AeroMACS, and WiGRID technologies across the globe while facilitating roaming agreements, sharing best practices within our membership and certifying products. WiMAX Forum and WiGRID Certified^® products are interoperable and support broadband fixed, nomadic, portable, and mobile services. The WiMAX Forum works closely with service providers and regulators to ensure that WiMAX Forum Certified systems meet customer and government requirements.