Supporting the Next Phase of ICAO ATS MHS (AMHS) Implementation

Friedrichshafen, Germany, 14th June 2004

Avitech AG, Friedrichshafen, Germany, is pleased to announce the signature of a Reseller Agreement for the M-Switch, M-Vault and other X.400 and X.500 products with Isode Ltd., Hampton, UK.

After comparison with other suppliers Avitech has chosen Isode as its new X.400 and X.500 supplier because of the extensive customer base of Isode X.400/X.500 products in industries and governments and because of the clear vision and release planning of Isode to implemented specific requirements from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Aeronautical Telecommunication Network (ATN) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) into its products. Avitech has worked with a number of X.400 suppliers since the implementation of its first ICAO ATS Message Handling System (AMHS) in 1996.

Part of the Isode commitments to the ICAO ATS MHS is The AMHS Manifesto which was published by Isode on the occasion of the Eurocontrol Agency AMHS Implementation Workshop, held in Brussels, Belgium, 14 - 15 June 2004.

The Way Forward

Avitech is actively supporting this manifesto which outlines that Extended ATS Message Service can be implemented today, except ATN Security Service which will be available shortly. Investment and internal resources can be saved by Air Navigation Services Providers (ANSPs) and Civil Aviation Authorities (CAA) by opting for the Extended ATS Message Service instead of the Basic ATS Message Service. This brings the advantage of immediate availability for the ATN Directory Service (DIR), the possibility to send unstructured binary data like the WMO Binary Universal Form for the Representation (BUFR) of Meteorological Data Messages, and a messaging service which can replace AFTN and CIDIN. These services together form the EUR AMHS Target Profile defined by Eurocontrol Agency.

This is very similar to the planned way forward towards AMHS implementation in the ICAO Asia/Pacific Region as discussed on the 6th Meeting of the ATN Transition Task Force (ATNTTF) of the ICAO Asia/Pacific Air Navigation Planning and Implementation Regional Group (APANPIRG). The ATN System Management (SM) policy, the use of ATN Directory Service (DIR), the regional ATN AMHS Naming Registration, and AMHS Routing based existing AFTN addresses is laid down in various documents.

Avitech supports fully these both initiatives and encourages ANSPs and CAAs to adopt as early as possible.

By combining the Avitech Aeronautical Data And Message Handling System (ADAMS) family of AMHS products with the Isode M-Switch, M-Vault and M-Store solution the following AMHS Infrastructure can be implemented now

• AFTN Switch and Gateway to AMHS,
• CIDIN Switch and CIDIN connectivity to AMHS,
• AMHS Switch, including binary data,
• ATN Lower Layer Stacks or ATN Routers for boundary ATN gateways (from partners),
• Vendor System, Network and Application Management,
• ATN Directory Service (DIR),
• AMHS User Agent.

System, Network and Application Management

ICAO ATN SARPs and the EUR AMHS Target Profile define the XMIB for System Management. We believe that the systems management functionality is desirable and achievable today. However, it is not practical to use XMIB to achieve this, as CMIP implementations suitable to perform this management are not generally available. Use of Directory for configuration options, Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) for monitoring, and vendor specific functions for control is a better option.

We believe that the requirement to use XMIB should be reconsidered.

The system, the network, the routing and the application management for ADAMS is integrated into the Monitor and Control Position (MCP). This unit covers all functionality necessary for operating the switches, the gateways, the networks, the users, and the applications. The MCP for AFTN, CIDIN, AMHS messaging is designed to have a common integrated and harmonised user interface. This assists operators and minimises training for the transition to AMHS. It consists of a user-friendly windows based interface for all management functions, and the menu structure is designed to ensure the proper workflow and operator interaction. The ATN Directory Service can be integrated into this MCP.

User Agent

The AMHS User Agent communicates by using P7 protocol over TCP/IP. If enforced message delivery is required then the P3 protocol is available.

The Human Machine Interface for User Agent assists the operator transition from AFTN to AMHS. The User Agent includes templates for generating NOTAM, SNOWTAM and Flight Plans and has a configurable local message store to enable rapid tracing and retrieval of both transmitted and received messages.

Summary

Basic ATS Message Service is not enough, and AMHS deployments should look to deploy the EUR AMHS Target Profile or Extended ATSMHS except security, depending on the ICAO Region they are in, including support of directory and binary body parts. This should be done in a manner which will enable an easy transition to the full Extended ATS Message Service.

References

Avitech has two nationwide AMHS networks with ATSMHS, User Agents, AFTN gateway and CIDIN connectivity in operation since 1996 and 2002. Avitech takes an active role in the First Multipartite International Realisation of ICAO SARPs AMHS Trials.

Avitech AG is an independent non-listed stock corporation and markets its own software products and supplies systems in the civil and military air navigation services market. The company is ISO9001/2000 Quality Certified and specialised in Aeronautical Databases, ICAO Message Handling, AIP, FLIP and Aeronautical Charting, Flight Planning, and Tower Information Systems. The core products are the Aeronautical Data And Message Handling System - ADAMS - and the .wiz@rd family of products for aeronautical publishing and charting. Avitech website: www.avitech-ag.com, www.eAIP.info, www.chinapages.com/foreign/avitech.

For further information please contact:

Avitech AG	Isode Ltd.
Bahnhofplatz 1	5 Castle Business Village
POBox 1430	36 Station Road
D-88045 Friedrichshafen	Hampton, Middlesex, TW12 2BX
Germany	United Kingdom
Peter.Rudolph@avitech-ag.com	Will.Sheward@isode.com
Tel.: +49-7541-282-0	Tel.: +44-20-8783-0203
Tel.: +49-7541-839-354 (direct)	Tel.: +44-20-8783-0203 ext 1 (direct)
Fax.: +49-7541-282-199	Fax.: +44-20-8783-9292