Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System

Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System
Shawn from Airdrie, Canada · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System
Caption	ACARS display on cockpit multi-function display
Introduced	1978
Developer	ARINC
Type	Digital datalink system
Devices	Onboard avionics, ground stations, satellites

Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System

Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System is a digital datalink system used for short, structured messages between Boeing and Airbus aircraft and ground stations operated by Airlines, Federal Aviation Administration, Eurocontrol, International Civil Aviation Organization, and other aviation authorities. It supports operational reporting, flight crew messaging, and automated health monitoring for fleets operated by Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, and Cathay Pacific. Developed in the late 20th century, the system has been integrated into avionics suites from vendors such as Honeywell, Collins Aerospace, and Thales.

Overview

The system provides addressed, automated exchange of short alphanumeric messages between airborne platforms from manufacturers like Embraer and Bombardier and ground infrastructure maintained by carriers such as British Airways and Air France. Messages traverse networks operated by service providers including ARINC, SITA, and satellite operators like Inmarsat and Iridium. Typical uses include flight plan coordination with Nav Canada and Airservices Australia, maintenance data uploads for organizations such as Rolls-Royce and GE Aviation, and crew dispatch communications with hubs like Heathrow Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Singapore Changi Airport.

History and Development

Early concepts emerged during collaborative research involving Aerospatiale, Lockheed Corporation, and McDonnell Douglas to reduce voice congestion on aeronautical circuits like those managed by ICAO member states. ARINC standardized the first specifications to serve carriers operating fleets at major carriers including KLM, Iberia, and Singapore Airlines. Adoption accelerated with integration into aircraft programs such as the Boeing 737 Classic and Airbus A320 families, and with the growth of air traffic managed by centers including Federal Aviation Administration facilities and Eurocontrol control centers.

System Architecture and Components

Core components include airborne units supplied by Honeywell, Rockwell Collins, and Thales; terrestrial data centers run by companies like SITA and ARINC; and satellite links provided by Inmarsat and Iridium. Onboard architecture typically interfaces with flight management systems developed by Garmin and Collins Aerospace, electronic flight bags used by crews at operators such as Cathay Pacific, and maintenance processors created by GE Aviation and Pratt & Whitney. Ground-side infrastructure integrates with airline operation control centers at carriers like Emirates and Southwest Airlines and air traffic service units run by NATS and Skyguide.

Protocols and Message Types

Message formats were defined by standards bodies and companies including ARINC, RTCA, and ICAO. Typical message classes encompass crew reports, ATC coordination messages used by Nav Canada and Airservices Australia, meteorological data exchanges relevant to World Meteorological Organization operations, and maintenance reports consumed by original equipment manufacturers like Rolls-Royce. Protocol layers reference link protocols over VHF networks used by Eurocontrol and satellite protocols standardized with input from Inmarsat and Iridium.

Operations and Use Cases

Airlines such as Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, and Air France use the system for flight plan updates submitted to FAA facilities and for dispatch communications coordinated with IATA and ACI. Cargo operators like FedEx and UPS Airlines route status messages to hubs at Memphis International Airport and Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Maintenance data aids predictive programs run by GE Aviation and Rolls-Royce and supports reduced turn times at major airports including Los Angeles International Airport and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

Safety, Security, and Reliability Considerations

Safety analyses reference certification processes overseen by European Union Aviation Safety Agency and Federal Aviation Administration offices, while cybersecurity guidance draws on best practices from bodies such as ICAO and IATA. Robustness strategies include redundancy through satellite services from Inmarsat and Iridium, encryption advisories influenced by NIST and industry partners like Honeywell. Reliability is monitored using metrics employed by airline operations centers at British Airways and Qatar Airways, and incident responses involve authorities including Civil Aviation Authority of relevant states and regional centers managed by Eurocontrol.

International Standards and Implementation

Standardization involved contributions from ARINC, RTCA, ICAO, and regional regulators including EASA and FAA. Implementation programs were coordinated with airline groups such as IATA and airport authorities like Airports Council International to ensure interoperability across fleets from Boeing, Airbus, Embraer, and Bombardier. National operators including Nav Canada, Airservices Australia, NATS, and Skyguide maintain ground infrastructures that interwork with global satellite providers such as Inmarsat and Iridium to deliver worldwide coverage.

Category:Aviation communications