RADIOCOM, Inc. - News - ICAO: REGIONAL PROJECT RLA/03/901



En español	March 17, 2006 - Lima, Peru RCC/9 RLA/03/901 NE/08 2006/03/17 INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION South American Regional Office REGIONAL PROJECT RLA/03/901 REDDIG Management System and Administration of Satellite Segment 9th meeting of Coordination Committee (RCC/9) (Lima, Peru, March 23 and 24, 2006) Subject 6 of Day Order: Other subjects INTRODUCING AMHS IN ARGENTINA STATUS REPORT AND PROPOSAL FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS (Note presented by Argentina) SUMMARY This note gives information related to the Introducing AMHS Argentine Case and how this technology can collaborate with the regional countries joined to the REDDIG benefits. 1. Background 1.1 Recently, the Argentina Aeronautical Authority has started officially the operation of AMHS, agreeing to Air Navigation Plan (ANP) of th CARSAM Region Vol. II (FASID) Doc. 8733. 1.2 The introduction of AMHS has been done with the cooperation of the Technical Cooperation Office, working with administrative procedures and giving the technical specifications made by the Argentine Administration, adapted to the “Standard ATN AMHS Recommended Practices (SARPs) – Subvol. III of Doc. 9705-AN/956 for the ATS Message Service” 3ra Edition, that enabled the operational status of the system after one international tender. 1.3 The need to change the AFTN servide to AMHS was generated by several factors, being the following the main factors : 1.3.1 AFTN Shitch obsolescense due to: The manufacturer no more exists in the market. Severe difficulties to train the staff in the operational system. The spare parts of the switch no more exists. Several difficulties to update the AFTN software. 1.3.2 Real urgency to replace the very faulty AFTN system before 2005. 1.3.3 Little investment recovery time for investment in a new AFTN system, having in mind that in a short time an AMHS system must be installed. 1.3.4 The convenience of install a native AMHS system compared with the possibility of install one AFTN system, thinking in the need to adapt it in a short time. 1.3.5 The necessity of connecting new domestic users. 1.3.6 The necessity of enhance the quality of message delivery and message transmission services. 1.3.7 To be ready for the new needs of binary information exchange through the network (the Worldwide Meteorological Association (WMO) has decided the migration to the Universal Binary Format to graph the meteorological data (BUFR) for the encoded meteorological messages). 2. Position 2.1 The AMHS System, created to solve all the problems mentioned above, was installed in: 2.1.1 Every domestic airports, meteorological stations exixting in the airports, Area Control Centers, etc. to total of 162 automatic terminals, 2.1.2 One MTA/MS (Message Transfer Agent / Message Store) operating in the main station in Ezeiza, and 2.1.3 One Gateway with multiple AFT ports to satisfy the international connectivity needs and some residual AFTN domestic users. 2.2 All parts of the AMHS System, Administrative Terminals, MTA, MS, Gateway, AMHS Terminals for users, are interconnected by means of an “ATN” network that uses the IPS Protocols (Internet Protocols Suites) used only in the terrestrial segment. 2.3 The trademark of the hardware for the servers plattform for the MTA/MS (cluster), Gateway AFTN/AMHS, Administrative terminals and Users terminals is Hewlett Packard. The trademarks of the network segmentation equipments (Routers y Switches) is: 2.3.1 Into the system core: Cisco. 2.3.2 For network segmentation en the Communication Main Stations/ACC: Cisco. 2.3.3 Concentrators (HUB´s) in low user density sites: 3Com. 2.3.4 All routers and switches are Layer 3 type, for network security reasons. 2.4 The operating system of the AMHS servers AMHS (MTS/MS and Gateway) is LINUX REDHAT Enterprise versión. The operating system on the users terminals (TAU^®) is Windows XP. 2.5 The application MTA/MS, UA (X.400) and Directory Service (X.500), are ISODE trademark. The Gateway AFTN/AMHS, the user agent terminal (TAU^®) and the integration between hardware and software are trademark of RADIOCOM INC. 2.6 The elapsed time from the contractual signature until the operational official inauguration including the network connectivity, was near of one year. 2.7 One key element to implement the AMHS is the ATN network platform, where the system interconnects every parts. Due to this, the Argentine Aeronautical Authority has decided to buy the core used for network segmentation and the AMHS, because the convenience of using the IPS protocols for the ATN terrestrial segment. However, the needed links to prepare the ATN were set by the Argentine Aeronautical Administration modifying existing circuits, reducing to the minimum the contracting of new links. 2.8 This stage has required a great effort to the staffs because the extention of coutry area, the technologic differences between points. Finally the AMHS users were connected using technologies as: FO, telephone cable, MW, VSAT, SCPC, and wireless links. 2.9 One of the most important features of the AMHS system is the conceptual difference respect to the AFTN, talking about the creation and management of new users addresses. The modern AMHS system allows adding, modificating and deleting users, and/or rerouting with simple tasks, not requiring specialized hardware or software, because it only needs few operations to change the settings. In other words, the capacity to have one 100 users AMHS system and to expand it to 200, it only will create the necessity of add the number of user terminals and the need of verify that exist one link for each terminal. 2.10 Due to the AMHS system works with the X.400 and X.500 standards, the setup of the addresses of the MTA can be associated with one or more countries, or may be that one country have more than one MTA. 3. Regional connectivity 3.1 Having in account that the AMHS complies with the ICAO standards, and that the REDDIG complies too, is previsible that will not exixt problems to connect users or another AMHS of the SAM Region through the REDDIG. 3.2 The Argentine Aeronautical Administration, supporting to the RLA/03/901, has coordinated with the Regional Office at Lima and with the Airport Corporation of Peru (CORPAC), the implementation of one AMHS Terminal through the REDDIG, in order to evaluate the functioning and the technical matters referred to the connectovity. 3.3 During the first two weeks of the current year, and solicited by this Administration, technical personnel of Radiocom, Inc working together with CORPAC's personnel, they installed one AMHS Terminal (property of Argentine Aeronautical Administration) connected to the MTS/MS at EZEIZA. This AMHS Terminal is currently working and will work during the period dictated by the OACI Regional Office, to make operational tests to elaborate plans for to install regional AMHS systems. 3.4 As a consequence of the tests realized in the REDDIG/AMHS is possible to agree that is possible to expand the services of the argentine AMHS through the REDDIG IP connectivity capabilities, being possible to operate using user terminals (AFTN or AMHS), in other country (with REDDIG node), connected to the argentine AMHS, without change the original AFTN identification at each terminal, without conceptual expansion or modification to the installed system. 3.5 Thinking about the working with IP addressing, and having in mind that it is one protocol very easy to manage, exists the necessity of not realize simple addressings, because in case of future international expansions of the national network could exist the possibility of duplicated addressings and other problems. 3.6 To avoid this problem, we need to define one IP Regional Addressing Plan more easy to work, permitting a free addressing to each country without corrupt the structure of the plan, and without limitation of the expansion capabilities in future international expansions. 3.7 In this way, and having in mind the Objective number 3 of the RLA/03/901 Project, we propose to consider the adoption of the following conclusion: Conclusion RCC9/XX IP Regional Addressing Plan That the ICAO Regional Office study and propose an IP Regional Addressing Plan to all countries members of the REDDIG, allowing the regional connection ordered in the aeronautical fix services (AMHS/AIDC) and others, using this network platform. 3.8 Due to the exposed here, and as a consequence of the argentine experience with the obsolete AFTN switch, this Administration offers the possibility to be one Backup Center to all countries that are having trouble with their AFTN switches, before the AMHS implantation, ising the MTA/MS operating in Ezeiza. Bilateral agreements could be formalized with all countries requesting this capability, or support when their AFTN networks have in trouble, using the REDDIG capacities 4. Suggested action 4.1 The reason of the meeting is to: 4.1.1 Take note of the information presented in this Note. 4.1.2 To approve the conclusion project presented in the Section 3 of this Note.. 4.1.3 To evaluate the offering of the AMHS to assist the Region. Radiocom, Inc. POBox 52-1345 Miami, FL. 33152 - U.S.A. Tel. (786) 235-9910 Website www.radiocominc.com
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March 17, 2006 - Lima, Peru

RCC/9 RLA/03/901 NE/08
2006/03/17

INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION
South American Regional Office
REGIONAL PROJECT RLA/03/901
REDDIG Management System and Administration of Satellite Segment

9th meeting of Coordination Committee (RCC/9)
(Lima, Peru, March 23 and 24, 2006)

Subject 6 of
Day Order: Other subjects

INTRODUCING AMHS IN ARGENTINA STATUS REPORT AND
PROPOSAL FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
(Note presented by Argentina)

SUMMARY

This note gives information related to the Introducing AMHS Argentine Case and how this technology can collaborate with the regional countries joined to the REDDIG benefits.

1. Background

1.1 Recently, the Argentina Aeronautical Authority has started officially the operation of AMHS, agreeing to Air Navigation Plan (ANP) of th CARSAM Region Vol. II (FASID) Doc. 8733.

1.2 The introduction of AMHS has been done with the cooperation of the Technical Cooperation Office, working with administrative procedures and giving the technical specifications made by the Argentine Administration, adapted to the “Standard ATN AMHS Recommended Practices (SARPs) – Subvol. III of Doc. 9705-AN/956 for the ATS Message Service” 3ra Edition, that enabled the operational status of the system after one international tender.

1.3 The need to change the AFTN servide to AMHS was generated by several factors, being the following the main factors :

1.3.1 AFTN Shitch obsolescense due to:

The manufacturer no more exists in the market.

Severe difficulties to train the staff in the operational system.

The spare parts of the switch no more exists.

Several difficulties to update the AFTN software.

1.3.2 Real urgency to replace the very faulty AFTN system before 2005.

1.3.3 Little investment recovery time for investment in a new AFTN system, having in mind that in a short time an AMHS system must be installed.

1.3.4 The convenience of install a native AMHS system compared with the possibility of install one AFTN system, thinking in the need to adapt it in a short time.

1.3.5 The necessity of connecting new domestic users.

1.3.6 The necessity of enhance the quality of message delivery and message transmission services.

1.3.7 To be ready for the new needs of binary information exchange through the network (the Worldwide Meteorological Association (WMO) has decided the migration to the Universal Binary Format to graph the meteorological data (BUFR) for the encoded meteorological messages).

2. Position

2.1 The AMHS System, created to solve all the problems mentioned above, was installed in:

2.1.1 Every domestic airports, meteorological stations exixting in the airports, Area Control Centers, etc. to total of 162 automatic terminals,

2.1.2 One MTA/MS (Message Transfer Agent / Message Store) operating in the main station in Ezeiza, and

2.1.3 One Gateway with multiple AFT ports to satisfy the international connectivity needs and some residual AFTN domestic users.

2.2 All parts of the AMHS System, Administrative Terminals, MTA, MS, Gateway, AMHS Terminals for users, are interconnected by means of an “ATN” network that uses the IPS Protocols (Internet Protocols Suites) used only in the terrestrial segment.

2.3 The trademark of the hardware for the servers plattform for the MTA/MS (cluster), Gateway AFTN/AMHS, Administrative terminals and Users terminals is Hewlett Packard. The trademarks of the network segmentation equipments (Routers y Switches) is:

2.3.1 Into the system core: Cisco.

2.3.2 For network segmentation en the Communication Main Stations/ACC: Cisco.

2.3.3 Concentrators (HUB´s) in low user density sites: 3Com.

2.3.4 All routers and switches are Layer 3 type, for network security reasons.

2.4 The operating system of the AMHS servers AMHS (MTS/MS and Gateway) is LINUX REDHAT Enterprise versión. The operating system on the users terminals (TAU^®) is Windows XP.

2.5 The application MTA/MS, UA (X.400) and Directory Service (X.500), are ISODE trademark. The Gateway AFTN/AMHS, the user agent terminal (TAU^®) and the integration between hardware and software are trademark of RADIOCOM INC.

2.6 The elapsed time from the contractual signature until the operational official inauguration including the network connectivity, was near of one year.

2.7 One key element to implement the AMHS is the ATN network platform, where the system interconnects every parts. Due to this, the Argentine Aeronautical Authority has decided to buy the core used for network segmentation and the AMHS, because the convenience of using the IPS protocols for the ATN terrestrial segment.

However, the needed links to prepare the ATN were set by the Argentine Aeronautical Administration modifying existing circuits, reducing to the minimum the contracting of new links.

2.8 This stage has required a great effort to the staffs because the extention of coutry area, the technologic differences between points. Finally the AMHS users were connected using technologies as: FO, telephone cable, MW, VSAT, SCPC, and wireless links.

2.9 One of the most important features of the AMHS system is the conceptual difference respect to the AFTN, talking about the creation and management of new users addresses. The modern AMHS system allows adding, modificating and deleting users, and/or rerouting with simple tasks, not requiring specialized hardware or software, because it only needs few operations to change the settings. In other words, the capacity to have one 100 users AMHS system and to expand it to 200, it only will create the necessity of add the number of user terminals and the need of verify that exist one link for each terminal.

2.10 Due to the AMHS system works with the X.400 and X.500 standards, the setup of the addresses of the MTA can be associated with one or more countries, or may be that one country have more than one MTA.

3. Regional connectivity

3.1 Having in account that the AMHS complies with the ICAO standards, and that the REDDIG complies too, is previsible that will not exixt problems to connect users or another AMHS of the SAM Region through the REDDIG.

3.2 The Argentine Aeronautical Administration, supporting to the RLA/03/901, has coordinated with the Regional Office at Lima and with the Airport Corporation of Peru (CORPAC), the implementation of one AMHS Terminal through the REDDIG, in order to evaluate the functioning and the technical matters referred to the connectovity.

3.3 During the first two weeks of the current year, and solicited by this Administration, technical personnel of Radiocom, Inc working together with CORPAC's personnel, they installed one AMHS Terminal (property of Argentine Aeronautical Administration) connected to the MTS/MS at EZEIZA. This AMHS Terminal is currently working and will work during the period dictated by the OACI Regional Office, to make operational tests to elaborate plans for to install regional AMHS systems.

3.4 As a consequence of the tests realized in the REDDIG/AMHS is possible to agree that is possible to expand the services of the argentine AMHS through the REDDIG IP connectivity capabilities, being possible to operate using user terminals (AFTN or AMHS), in other country (with REDDIG node), connected to the argentine AMHS, without change the original AFTN identification at each terminal, without conceptual expansion or modification to the installed system.

3.5 Thinking about the working with IP addressing, and having in mind that it is one protocol very easy to manage, exists the necessity of not realize simple addressings, because in case of future international expansions of the national network could exist the possibility of duplicated addressings and other problems.

3.6 To avoid this problem, we need to define one IP Regional Addressing Plan more easy to work, permitting a free addressing to each country without corrupt the structure of the plan, and without limitation of the expansion capabilities in future international expansions.

3.7 In this way, and having in mind the Objective number 3 of the RLA/03/901 Project, we propose to consider the adoption of the following conclusion:

Conclusion RCC9/XX IP Regional Addressing Plan

That the ICAO Regional Office study and propose an IP Regional Addressing Plan to all countries members of the REDDIG, allowing the regional connection ordered in the aeronautical fix services (AMHS/AIDC) and others, using this network platform.

3.8 Due to the exposed here, and as a consequence of the argentine experience with the obsolete AFTN switch, this Administration offers the possibility to be one Backup Center to all countries that are having trouble with their AFTN switches, before the AMHS implantation, ising the MTA/MS operating in Ezeiza. Bilateral agreements could be formalized with all countries requesting this capability, or support when their AFTN networks have in trouble, using the REDDIG capacities

4. Suggested action

4.1 The reason of the meeting is to:

4.1.1 Take note of the information presented in this Note.

4.1.2 To approve the conclusion project presented in the Section 3 of this Note..

4.1.3 To evaluate the offering of the AMHS to assist the Region.

Radiocom, Inc.

POBox 52-1345 Miami, FL. 33152 - U.S.A.

Tel. (786) 235-9910

Website www.radiocominc.com

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