The L-band digital aeronautical communications system or LDACS is a terrestrial aeronautical air-to-ground radio system, which allows datalink communication between the cockpit and the ground, for expected users such as airspace users and air navigation service providers (ANSPS) within the en-route, terminal airspace and airport environments. LDACS will provide efficient, secure, and high-bandwidth communication capability, and will be designed to be compatible with legacy technologies in L-band, both civil and military. 

LDACS can also support voice communications and provide navigation and surveillance capabilities, with potential for a truly integrated communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS) system leading to improved spectrum efficiency. It should be noted that these functionalities are not developed in the scope of this Solution.
Conceived as an IPS (Internet Protocol Suite) native technology, the Solution will also integrate LDACS within the current OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) based environment. This will make the LDACS technology ready to support all aviation services and ensure global interoperability in both OSI and IPS environments.

The Solution supports standardisation efforts associated with LDACS, encompassing initiatives such as the ICAO LDACS standard and recommended practices (SARPs), ICAO LDACS technical manual, EUROCAE LDACS minimum operational performance specification (MOPS), and minimum aviation system performance standard (MASPS). Additionally, the outputs of this solution serve as a cornerstone for the development of ancillary standards, including LDACS transceiver and aircraft installation standards, spearheaded by the aircraft electronics association Committee (AEEC). 

BENEFITS

• Performances: Support of ATS/B2/B3 services; high throughput; low latency; data traffic prioritisation; data security; High continuity of service; Integration of CNS; flexibility
• Distributed terrestrial, cellular architecture: scalability; efficient reuse of ground infrastructure; ease of deployment in the avionic bay; robustness
• Open framework: fosters market competition; ensures global interoperability; minimise equipment required in the avionic bay.