Page 21 - AAA JULY - AUGUST 2015 Online Magazine

FEATURE FLIGHT TRACKING

“Our ability to merge HFDL network performance data
with multiple data sources results in a more robust
and truly global aircraft tracking capability.”

– Tim Ryan, director, GLOBALink programs & services management.

to transmit Aircraft Communications A key and differentiating element of traffic control gateway was first deployed
Addressing and Reporting System ARINC MultiLink is its ability to incorporate in the late 1990s.
(ACARS) position reports every 10 HFDL network performance data, made
minutes, it still took authorities nearly two possible by Rockwell Collins’ industry Airlines Test Rockwell Collins
years to locate the black boxes. standard global air/ground data link Tracking System
Keeping these in account, Rockwell network. Aircraft equipped with HFDL It is reported that nine airlines worldwide
Collins has unveiled its ARINC automatically deliver network performance are working with Rockwell Collins in
MultiLinkSM flight tracking service, data directly to Rockwell Collins. This data Cedar Rapids to test the new aircraft
offering a comprehensive and cost- can be used in conjunction with other data tracking system.
effective global flight tracking solution for sources to provide highly accurate and Rockwell Collins did not disclose the
the world’s airlines. cost-effective aircraft tracking everywhere names of the airlines testing the ARINC
ARINC MultiLink brings together around the globe. system, which are based in Europe, Asia,
multiple data sources to reliably report the “Using the unique propagation the Middle East, North America and
location of an aircraft anywhere in the world. characteristics of HFDL enables ARINC Latin America and operate regionally and
These sources include (1) ADS-C; (2) high- MultiLink to communicate with properly globally.
frequency data link (HFDL) performance equipped aircraft operating in remote “The airlines participating in this
data; (3) ADS-B; (4) U.S. Aircraft Situation regions and over the oceans,” Tim Ryan, program fly a considerable number of
Display to Industry (ASDI) radar data; (5) director, GLOBALink programs & services oceanic and polar routes, which will
EUROCONTROL position information; and management. “Our ability to merge HFDL allow them to use ARINC MultiLink to
(6) Aircraft Communications Addressing network performance data with multiple track aircraft in some of the most remote
and Reporting System (ACARS) position data sources results in a more robust and regions in the world,” said Yun Chong,
reports. Additionally, ARINC MultiLink truly global aircraft tracking capability.” vice president, commercial aviation
has been developed with the ability to ARINC MultiLink can be customized to services for Rockwell Collins’ Information
incorporate future third-party data sources meet an airline’s unique needs while still Management Services business.
which may include position data. aligning with industry recommendations. ARINC MultiLink will be provided to
Rockwell Collins uses a proprietary Rockwell Collins will work with carriers to customers in two forms: (1) as a streaming
algorithm to merge the data sources to help selectively augment the fidelity and data feed, or (2) as an integrated feed
provide more accurate and higher fidelity reliability of their standard data feed as within Rockwell Collins’ ARINC OpCenter/
position reporting. In addition, the use needed to generate additional data for a WebASD and Hermes SkyView situational
of multiple sources means an aircraft’s selected aircraft or geographic region. displays. The service includes initial and
position can be reported more frequently. ARINC MultiLink will be offered as on-going consultations to ensure that the
The service can also notify airlines when an an add-on to Rockwell Collins’ ARINC carrier is receiving the most economical
aircraft unexpectedly has stopped reporting OpCenter/WebASDSM or Hermes/Skyview flight tracking solution.
positional data or when the aircraft has products, which are currently used by 125
deviated from its expected path. airlines around the world, or as a data
“In today’s global aviation feed that can be streamed to a carrier’s
environment, no single source of data is own situational display solution.
sufficient to track aircraft globally,” said Rockwell Collins’ ARINC MultiLink
Jeff Standerski, senior vice president, flight tracking solution will soon be
Information Management Services for available in the market.
Rockwell Collins. “By merging multiple For more than 20 years Rockwell Collins
data sources, many of which airlines has been a leader in collecting, harmonizing
already receive, we can automatically and delivering aircraft tracking information
select the right combination of data feeds for the world’s airlines.
to allow airlines to pinpoint an aircraft’s The company’s first situational display
location anywhere in the world, in the capability was launched in 1995 and its
most economical way.” Automatic Dependent Surveillance air
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