SESAR delivers its recommendations of the VDL Mode 2 Analysis

Controller/Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) is considered to be an important component of the evolution of Air Traffic Control. The development of data link in Europe was coordinated within the EUROCONTROL LINK 2000+ programme, and the CPDLC definition is based on the Aeronautical Telecommunication Network (ATN) 1 over Very High Frequency (VHF) Data Link Mode 2 (VDL2). The expected benefit is an increase in sector capacity, resulting in cost reductions and capacity gains for future traffic growth.

However, ATN/VDL2 implementation design and subsequent deployment decisions in response to the Data Link Services (DLS) Regulation (EC) No 29/2009 resulted in a system that did not provide the expected performance.

The SESAR Joint Undertaking (SJU) released recently a final report that indicates several interlinked problems, and provides a preliminary plan in form of concrete actions.  The research has pointed out a number of key recommendations in 4 areas, as follows: ground network, avionics, standardisation & compliance and ATN/VDL2 Network implementation & oversight framework.

Read the full report here: ELSA study