Real-time Broadband Aeronautical Communications over Satellite Networks

In this paper we focus on the modeling and evaluation of next generation satellite communications technologies to support future aeronautical communications. Recent studies has identified the delivery of real-time high resolution weather maps to the cockpit as an important future aeronautical application. Focusing on this application, we investigate the use of Lowand GeosynchronousEarth Orbit (LEO and GEO) satellite networks for efficient delivery of the data. We propose a hybrid uni-cast and broadcast communication technique, which significantly reduces the required communication bandwidth. We quantify our results through simulation and compare them with other methods.