Department of Computer Sciences, Aeronautical Digital Communications Group

The department of Computer Sciences is a branch of the Faculty of Natural Science of the Paris Lodron University in Salzburg. The institute has an ongoing tradition of research in the field of communication networks and managed to establish special expertise in a wide range of relevant topics. The institution’s knowledge base comprises the analysis and development of mobile computer networks on all layers (although our focus lies on the data-link, network and transport layer).

Our recent research was focused on the protocol design and development of medium access control and network integration with ATN and IP for digital communication within the L-band (see L-DACS1). This research has been based on former studies of VHF Digital Link Mode 2, B-VHF and B-AMC (both predecessor technologies of L-DACS1) in cooperation with EUROCONTROL. This research will be continued in a nationally funded project (CoLB) with the goal to add further capabilities to the system.

The integration of existing and future aeronautical networks with mobile IPv6 is the topic of the NEWSKY project we are currently involved with. On the application layer we are currently implementing a proof-of-concept of the digital air traffic control (ATC) environment.