A team of engineers at NASA’s Glenn Research Center has conveyed aviation data—including route options and weather information—to an airplane over a ground wireless network for the first time ever.

The team used an Aircraft Access to System Wide Information Management (SWIM), or AAtS, prototype technical solution to convey the aviation information to an FAA Bombardier Global 5000 test aircraft taxiing 60 to 70 miles per hour on the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport runway. The information was sent over a new wireless communication system called Aeronautical Mobile Airport Communications System, or AeroMACS.

The FAA Bombardier Global 5000 aircraft used in the wireless communication demonstration. Image credit: NASA.The prototype AeroMACS hardware, developed by Hitachi Ltd., is based on WiMAX wireless communication standards but uses different frequencies to enable connectivity on the ground. AAtS is an FAA technology demonstration and prototype initiative that enables solutions for connecting aircraft and flight crews to common-sourced aeronautical, weather and flight information. The AeroMACS demonstration enabled connectivity to allow updates to weather, airport status and flight-and-flow information prior to takeoff.

Until now, pilots have relied on voice communication with air traffic control or their airline operations center for this type of information because traditional wireless technologies don’t support high data throughputs. Together, AAtS and AeroMACS will improve situational awareness and reduce the potential for human error by giving pilots access to the information they need to make decisions, NASA says.

The trials consisted of three test cases designed to evaluate the performance of both the AAtS and AeroMACS technologies. The trials demonstrated that AeroMACS can simultaneously transport multiple services seamlessly.

In addition to improving safety, NASA says the new wireless technology could allow airports to grow and change more affordably by replacing old underground systems.

“Airport communication systems use a lot of underground cables, which makes repairs and changes difficult,” says Paul Nelson, Glenn’s project manager for Cyber Security and Secure Communications, Navigation and Surveillance. “Replacing and eliminating the underground infrastructure with wireless technology will reduce maintenance costs and downtime and allow airports to enhance capabilities more quickly.”

The next steps for AeroMACS will include end-to-end testing involving multiple airports and evaluation of security measures.