Parallel Link Management for ATC Message Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air traffic control communication systems, such as those using the FANS and ATN OSI protocols, experience issues with sub-network availability and latency performance, leading to provider aborts and delays that hinder their effectiveness for time-critical exchanges.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a performance-based link management system that utilizes parallel links to improve the availability and latency performance of air traffic control communication systems. This system determines the type of message (ATC or non-ATC) and selects either parallel or serial communication links accordingly, ensuring efficient transmission and reception of messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If serial communication links are used in air traffic control systems, then device complexity is reduced, but sub-network availability and latency performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into multiple parallel links instead of using a single serial link. Each link operates independently, allowing messages to be transmitted simultaneously through multiple paths, thereby improving sub-network availability and reducing latency without requiring complex inter-link coordination protocols
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple communication links are merged into a parallel configuration where messages can be transmitted simultaneously through multiple links. The system combines the capabilities of individual links to achieve higher overall availability and performance while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized link interfaces
2Reliability
If parallel communication links are used to improve availability, then sub-network availability increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates copies of messages and transmits them through multiple parallel links simultaneously. This copying approach allows the system to leverage multiple links for improved availability without requiring complex coordination, as each copy is transmitted independently through its designated link
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes multiple communication links and configures message routing before actual communication occurs. This preliminary setup allows the parallel link structure to be in place and ready for immediate use, avoiding the need for complex dynamic link management during active communication
3Speed
If traditional communication protocols are used, then device complexity is minimized, but latency performance worsens due to provider aborts and delays
Solution Approach 1:
The parallel link system ensures continuous message transmission by simultaneously sending copies through multiple links. This continuity eliminates provider aborts and delays associated with sequential retry mechanisms, as the system can immediately use alternative links if one fails, maintaining uninterrupted communication flow
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a link management intermediary that handles message distribution across parallel links. This intermediary component manages the complexity of parallel link coordination, allowing individual links to remain simple while achieving superior latency performance through coordinated parallel operation
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for utilizing parallel links to improve sub-network availability and latency performance for ATC traffic. An embodiment operates by receiving a generated message. The type of the generated message is determined, where the type is an air traffic control message or a non-air traffic control message. Based on the type of message, communication links are selected, where the communication links include parallel transmission links or a serial link. The method continues by copying the generated message and transmitting the copied message using the selected communication links. The method waits to receive an acknowledgement indicating receipt of the transmitted message. Upon identifying an acknowledgement, any of the copied messages not yet retransmitted are deleted.