SIST EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1:2006
(Main)Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); VHF air-ground Digital Link (VDL) Mode 4 radio equipment; Technical characteristics and methods of measurement for ground-based equipment; Part 1: EN for ground equipment
- Abstract
The present document provides part 1 of the technical specifications for Very High Frequency (VHF) Digital Link (VDL) Mode 4 ground-based radio transmitters and receivers for air-ground communications operating in the VHF band, using Gaussian-filtered Frequency Shift Keying (GFSK) Modulation with 25 kHz channel spacing and capable of tuning to any of the 25 kHz channels from 118,000 MHz to 136,975 MHz as defined in ICAO VHF Digital Link (VDL) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) [2]. The present document is designed to ensure that equipment certified to it will be compatible with the relevant ICAO VHF Digital Link (VDL) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) [2] and VDL Mode 4 Technical Manual (TM) [1].
Manufacturers should note that in future the tuning range for the ground transceivers may also cover any 25 kHz channel from 108,000 MHz to 117,975 MHz. The scope of the present document is limited to ground stations. The equivalent specification for airborne stations is EN 302 842 [8].
The VDL Mode 4 system provides digital communication exchanges between aircraft and ground-based systems and other aircraft supporting surveillance and communication applications. The supported modes of communication include:
• broadcast and point-to-point communication;
• broadcast services including Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B), Traffic Information Service - Broadcast (TIS-B) and Flight Information Service - Broadcast (FIS-B) capabilities;
• air-air, air-to-ground, and ground-to-air services;
• operation without ground infrastructure.
The present document is derived from the specifications:
• VDL Mode 4 standards produced under the auspices of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) [1] and [2].
• Other relevant standards as defined in clause 2.
It is envisaged that manufacturers may provide equipment supporting:
• broadcast services only;
• point-to-point services only;
• both broadcast and point-to-point services.
The present document deals with tests of the physical layer necessary to support all types of equipment. The present document includes:
• Clause 2 provides references to relevant documents.
• Clause 3 provides general definitions, abbreviations and symbols used.
• Clause 4 provides refers to a general description and architecture of VDL Mode 4 contained in EN 301 842-2 [7].
• Clause 5 provides functional specifications applicable to the physical layer including transmitter/receiver requirements and the modulation scheme.
• Clause 6 provides general equipment requirements.
• Clause 7 provides general design requirements.
• Clause 8 covers general test conditions, environmental tests and calibration.
• Clause 9 provides detailed test procedures for the physical layer.
The full physical layer tests are provided which correspond closely to the standard set of tests used for other VDL systems.
Mandating and Recommendation Phrases
a) "Shall"
The use of the word "Shall" indicates a mandated criterion; i.e. compliance with the particular procedure or specification is mandatory and no alternative may be applied.
b) "Should"
The use of the word "Should" (and phrases such as "It is recommended that...", etc.) indicate that though the procedure or criterion is regarded as the preferred option, alternative procedures, specifications or criteria may be applied, provided that the manufacturer, installer or tester can provide information or data to adequately support and justify the alternative.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 28-Feb-2006
- Current Stage
- 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
- Start Date
- 01-Mar-2006
- Due Date
- 01-Mar-2006
- Completion Date
- 01-Mar-2006
- Mandate
- M/239
SIST EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1:2006 is the Slovenian adoption of ETSI EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1, published by SIST for ground-based VHF air-ground Digital Link (VDL) Mode 4 radio equipment. It specifies the physical-layer technical characteristics and measurement methods for ground transmitters, receivers and transceivers used in air-ground communications. Manufacturers, test laboratories and certifying authorities use it to check channel tuning, modulation, RF performance, timing and the test conditions needed for type approval.
What does SIST EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1:2006 specify?
SIST EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1:2006 covers part 1 of the technical specification for VDL Mode 4 ground-based equipment. Its scope is limited to ground stations, and the airborne equivalent is EN 302 842.
The document is organized into clauses 2 to 9, plus Annex A. Clause 2 gives references, clause 3 gives definitions and abbreviations, clause 4 gives the general description and architecture of VDL Mode 4, clause 5 covers physical-layer functional specifications, clauses 6 and 7 give equipment and design requirements, clause 8 sets test conditions and calibration, and clause 9 gives detailed physical-layer test procedures. Annex A is a bibliography.
In practice, the standard is aimed at equipment that uses Gaussian-filtered Frequency Shift Keying (GFSK) with 25 kHz channel spacing and tunes to the VHF aeronautical band channels identified in ICAO VDL standards.
What are the key requirements of SIST EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1:2006?
Physical layer and modulation
SIST EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1:2006 requires the ground station physical layer to work in duplex mode and use GFSK. Clause 5.2 also fixes the training sequence and the modulation parameters used for testing.
That matters because the waveform, symbol handling and burst timing have to match the VDL Mode 4 air-ground system. If a transmitter uses a different modulation shape or symbol behavior, it may fail interoperability or the measurement methods in clause 9.
Receiver performance
SIST EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1:2006 sets receiver tuning, sensitivity and interference rejection requirements in clause 6.1. Receivers have to tune across the specified 25 kHz channels, use the stated reference signal level, meet the BER requirement, and withstand adjacent-channel, co-channel, in-band and out-of-band interference.
The practical effect is that a receiver is not judged only on quiet-channel sensitivity. It must still demodulate correctly when nearby aeronautical signals, FM broadcast-related interference, or other VDL signals are present. Clause 6.1.12 also limits conducted spurious emissions, and clause 6.1.15 ties cabinet radiation to EN 300 113-1.
Transmitter performance
SIST EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1:2006 requires the transmitter to tune to the VDL channels, hold the nominal data rate, protect itself against antenna faults, and keep output power within the declared range. Clause 6.2 also limits rise time, release time, spurious emissions, adjacent channel power, wide-band noise, frequency tolerance and load VSWR behavior.
This is important for installation and certification because the transmitter must remain stable when connected to real antenna systems and when tested under mismatch conditions. The standard also requires compliance with the declared output power in a 50 ohm load, so the declared rating and the measured RF output need to agree.
Timing and turn-around
SIST EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1:2006 includes transceiver timing limits in clause 6.3. It specifies the start of transmission, automatic transmitter shutdown, receiver-to-transmitter turn-around time, transmitter-to-receiver turn-around time, and the rule that a station shall not transmit if it cannot maintain primary or secondary time.
In practice, these requirements support slot-based operation. The equipment has to switch between receive and transmit fast enough to use the next slot, and timing loss has to stop transmission rather than let an unsynchronized station interfere with the network.
General design and test conditions
SIST EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1:2006 requires a visual on indication, GFSK operation with 25 kHz channel separation, and warm-up behavior that reaches operation within 5 s and full compliance within one minute under normal conditions. Clause 8 defines normal and extreme test conditions, including the supply limits, test channels and temperature ranges.
For testing, this means results are only valid when the equipment is exercised on the required channels and under the defined environmental conditions. Clause 8.3 also identifies the performance checks that must be maintained during normal and extreme testing.
Measurement methods
SIST EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1:2006 uses detailed test procedures in clause 9 for BER, sensitivity, adjacent-channel rejection, rejection of signals inside and outside the VHF aeronautical band, desired-signal dynamic range, symbol-rate capture, frequency capture, co-channel interference, spurious emission, intermodulation, transmitter power, rise and release times, adjacent-channel power, wide-band noise, frequency error, load VSWR capability, and turn-around times.
That matters because compliance is not based on declarations alone. The document tells test labs how to set up generators, combiners, spectrum analyzers and BER fixtures so that the measured result is comparable from one laboratory to another.
What terms does SIST EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1:2006 define?
- GFSK (Gaussian Filtered Frequency Shift Keying) - the modulation method used by VDL Mode 4, combining continuous-phase FSK with a Gaussian pulse-shaping filter.
- BER (Bit Error Rate) - the ratio of erroneous bits received to total bits received.
- ACR (Adjacent Channel Rejection) - the receiver’s ability to meet the BER requirement when an adjacent-channel interferer is present.
- CCI (Co-Channel Interference) - interference on the same assigned frequency that still has to leave the receiver able to meet the BER requirement.
- ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) - a broadcast surveillance application that sends aircraft parameters such as position and speed.
- LME (Link Management Entity) - the protocol state machine that acquires, establishes and maintains a connection to a peer system.
- VSS (VDL Mode 4 Specific Services) - the sublayer that provides VDL Mode 4 specific access protocols, including reserved, random and fixed protocols.
Who uses SIST EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1:2006?
Manufacturers of ground-based VDL Mode 4 radio equipment use it to design transmitters, receivers and transceivers that match ICAO-aligned performance. Test laboratories use it to run type tests and report results in a repeatable way. Certifying authorities and quality managers use it to judge whether equipment is suitable for approval or acceptance.
It is also relevant to aviation communications engineers working on surveillance and communication applications such as ADS-B, TIS-B and FIS-B. Buyers who specify aeronautical radio equipment use it to identify the exact physical-layer standard for ground stations.
What changed in SIST EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1:2006 from the previous edition?
SIST EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1:2006 is the V1.2.1 publication of the standard, and the history lists an earlier V1.1.1 publication from January 2002. The document history also records the later V1.2.1 publication process in 2005 and the final publication in April 2005.
Which standards are used with SIST EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1:2006?
- ICAO Doc 9816 - provides the detailed technical specifications for VDL Mode 4.
- ICAO Annex 10, Volume III, Part I, Chapter 6 - provides the ICAO VDL Standards and Recommended Practices that the equipment is intended to match.
- ISO/IEC 7498-1 - supplies the OSI basic reference model terms used for layers, entities and service access points.
- ISO/IEC 10731 - supplies the OSI service conventions used for service provider, service user and service primitive terms.
- ETSI EN 300 113-1 - provides cabinet radiation requirements used for receiver and transmitter compliance.
- ETSI EN 301 489-22 - is the EMC standard for ground-based VHF aeronautical mobile and fixed radio equipment.
- ETSI EN 301 842-2 - gives the general description and data link layer for the same VDL Mode 4 ground equipment.
- ETSI EN 302 842 (all parts) - is the companion airborne standard for VDL Mode 4 aeronautical mobile equipment.
What does the SIST EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1:2006 document contain?
The document contains the technical framework for ground-based VDL Mode 4 physical-layer verification. Clause 9 provides test set-ups and procedures for BER measurement, adjacent-channel tests, interference tests, spurious emissions, power measurements, frequency error, wide-band noise and VSWR behavior.
It also includes measurement figures for receiver and transmitter arrangements, including separate set-ups for power, spurious emissions, adjacent-channel power and intermodulation testing. These procedures are intended for design validation, type testing and certification support, not just for descriptive reading.
Annex A gives the bibliography used by the standard.
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Frequently Asked Questions
SIST EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1:2006 is a standard published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); VHF air-ground Digital Link (VDL) Mode 4 radio equipment; Technical characteristics and methods of measurement for ground-based equipment; Part 1: EN for ground equipment". This standard covers: The present document provides part 1 of the technical specifications for Very High Frequency (VHF) Digital Link (VDL) Mode 4 ground-based radio transmitters and receivers for air-ground communications operating in the VHF band, using Gaussian-filtered Frequency Shift Keying (GFSK) Modulation with 25 kHz channel spacing and capable of tuning to any of the 25 kHz channels from 118,000 MHz to 136,975 MHz as defined in ICAO VHF Digital Link (VDL) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) [2]. The present document is designed to ensure that equipment certified to it will be compatible with the relevant ICAO VHF Digital Link (VDL) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) [2] and VDL Mode 4 Technical Manual (TM) [1]. Manufacturers should note that in future the tuning range for the ground transceivers may also cover any 25 kHz channel from 108,000 MHz to 117,975 MHz. The scope of the present document is limited to ground stations. The equivalent specification for airborne stations is EN 302 842 [8]. The VDL Mode 4 system provides digital communication exchanges between aircraft and ground-based systems and other aircraft supporting surveillance and communication applications. The supported modes of communication include: • broadcast and point-to-point communication; • broadcast services including Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B), Traffic Information Service - Broadcast (TIS-B) and Flight Information Service - Broadcast (FIS-B) capabilities; • air-air, air-to-ground, and ground-to-air services; • operation without ground infrastructure. The present document is derived from the specifications: • VDL Mode 4 standards produced under the auspices of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) [1] and [2]. • Other relevant standards as defined in clause 2. It is envisaged that manufacturers may provide equipment supporting: • broadcast services only; • point-to-point services only; • both broadcast and point-to-point services. The present document deals with tests of the physical layer necessary to support all types of equipment. The present document includes: • Clause 2 provides references to relevant documents. • Clause 3 provides general definitions, abbreviations and symbols used. • Clause 4 provides refers to a general description and architecture of VDL Mode 4 contained in EN 301 842-2 [7]. • Clause 5 provides functional specifications applicable to the physical layer including transmitter/receiver requirements and the modulation scheme. • Clause 6 provides general equipment requirements. • Clause 7 provides general design requirements. • Clause 8 covers general test conditions, environmental tests and calibration. • Clause 9 provides detailed test procedures for the physical layer. The full physical layer tests are provided which correspond closely to the standard set of tests used for other VDL systems. Mandating and Recommendation Phrases a) "Shall" The use of the word "Shall" indicates a mandated criterion; i.e. compliance with the particular procedure or specification is mandatory and no alternative may be applied. b) "Should" The use of the word "Should" (and phrases such as "It is recommended that...", etc.) indicate that though the procedure or criterion is regarded as the preferred option, alternative procedures, specifications or criteria may be applied, provided that the manufacturer, installer or tester can provide information or data to adequately support and justify the alternative.
The present document provides part 1 of the technical specifications for Very High Frequency (VHF) Digital Link (VDL) Mode 4 ground-based radio transmitters and receivers for air-ground communications operating in the VHF band, using Gaussian-filtered Frequency Shift Keying (GFSK) Modulation with 25 kHz channel spacing and capable of tuning to any of the 25 kHz channels from 118,000 MHz to 136,975 MHz as defined in ICAO VHF Digital Link (VDL) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) [2]. The present document is designed to ensure that equipment certified to it will be compatible with the relevant ICAO VHF Digital Link (VDL) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) [2] and VDL Mode 4 Technical Manual (TM) [1]. Manufacturers should note that in future the tuning range for the ground transceivers may also cover any 25 kHz channel from 108,000 MHz to 117,975 MHz. The scope of the present document is limited to ground stations. The equivalent specification for airborne stations is EN 302 842 [8]. The VDL Mode 4 system provides digital communication exchanges between aircraft and ground-based systems and other aircraft supporting surveillance and communication applications. The supported modes of communication include: • broadcast and point-to-point communication; • broadcast services including Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B), Traffic Information Service - Broadcast (TIS-B) and Flight Information Service - Broadcast (FIS-B) capabilities; • air-air, air-to-ground, and ground-to-air services; • operation without ground infrastructure. The present document is derived from the specifications: • VDL Mode 4 standards produced under the auspices of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) [1] and [2]. • Other relevant standards as defined in clause 2. It is envisaged that manufacturers may provide equipment supporting: • broadcast services only; • point-to-point services only; • both broadcast and point-to-point services. The present document deals with tests of the physical layer necessary to support all types of equipment. The present document includes: • Clause 2 provides references to relevant documents. • Clause 3 provides general definitions, abbreviations and symbols used. • Clause 4 provides refers to a general description and architecture of VDL Mode 4 contained in EN 301 842-2 [7]. • Clause 5 provides functional specifications applicable to the physical layer including transmitter/receiver requirements and the modulation scheme. • Clause 6 provides general equipment requirements. • Clause 7 provides general design requirements. • Clause 8 covers general test conditions, environmental tests and calibration. • Clause 9 provides detailed test procedures for the physical layer. The full physical layer tests are provided which correspond closely to the standard set of tests used for other VDL systems. Mandating and Recommendation Phrases a) "Shall" The use of the word "Shall" indicates a mandated criterion; i.e. compliance with the particular procedure or specification is mandatory and no alternative may be applied. b) "Should" The use of the word "Should" (and phrases such as "It is recommended that...", etc.) indicate that though the procedure or criterion is regarded as the preferred option, alternative procedures, specifications or criteria may be applied, provided that the manufacturer, installer or tester can provide information or data to adequately support and justify the alternative.
SIST EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1:2006 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 33.060.99 - Other equipment for radiocommunications; 33.100.01 - Electromagnetic compatibility in general. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
SIST EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1:2006 is associated with the following European legislation: Standardization Mandates: M/239. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
SIST EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1:2006 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-marec-2006
(OHNWURPDJQHWQD]GUXåOMLYRVWLQ]DGHYHY]YH]L]UDGLMVNLPVSHNWURP (50 ±
5DGLMVNDRSUHPD]DGLJLWDOQHSRYH]DYH9+)]UDNWODQDþLQ±7HKQLþQH
NDUDNWHULVWLNHLQPHULOQHPHWRGH]DWDOQRRSUHPR±GHO (1]DWDOQRRSUHPR
Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); VHF air-ground Digital
Link (VDL) Mode 4 radio equipment; Technical characteristics and methods of
measurement for ground-based equipment; Part 1: EN for ground equipment
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 301 842-1 Version 1.2.1
ICS:
33.060.99 Druga oprema za radijske Other equipment for
komunikacije radiocommunications
33.100.01 Elektromagnetna združljivost Electromagnetic compatibility
na splošno in general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
European Standard (Telecommunications series)
Electromagnetic compatibility
and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM);
VHF air-ground Digital Link (VDL) Mode 4 radio equipment;
Technical characteristics and methods of measurement
for ground-based equipment;
Part 1: EN for ground equipment
2 ETSI EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1 (2005-04)
Reference
REN/ERM-TG25-026-1
Keywords
aeronautical, digital, radio, testing, VHF
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3 ETSI EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1 (2005-04)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights.6
Foreword.6
Introduction .6
1 Scope.8
2 References.9
3 Definitions and abbreviations.10
3.1 Definitions.10
3.1.1 Basic reference model definitions.10
3.1.2 Service conventions definitions .10
3.1.3 General definitions.10
3.2 Abbreviations.14
4 General description and architecture of VDL Mode 4 .15
4.1 General.15
5 VDL mode 4 physical layer functional specifications .15
5.1 Overview.15
5.1.1 Functions.15
5.1.2 Data reception.15
5.1.3 Data transmission.16
5.2 Modulation scheme.16
6 VDL Mode 4 equipment requirements.16
6.1 Receiver Requirements.16
6.1.1 Receiver operating range .16
6.1.2 BER requirement.16
6.1.3 Reference signal level.16
6.1.4 Sensitivity.16
6.1.5 Adjacent channel rejection.17
6.1.6 Rejection of signals within the VHF Aeronautical band.17
6.1.7 Rejection of signals outside the VHF Aeronautical band .17
6.1.8 Desired signal dynamic range.18
6.1.9 Symbol rate capture range .18
6.1.10 Frequency capture range.18
6.1.11 Co-channel interference.18
6.1.12 Conducted spurious emission .18
6.1.13 FM Broadcast Intermodulation.18
6.1.13.1 Radio frequencies in the band 117,975 MHz to 137 MHz.18
6.1.14 In-band Intermodulation.18
6.1.15 Cabinet radiation.19
6.2 Transmitter requirements.19
6.2.1 Transmitter operating range.19
6.2.2 Channel Bit Rate.19
6.2.3 Protection of the transmitter.19
6.2.4 Manufacturer's declared output power.20
6.2.5 RF power rise time.20
6.2.6 RF power release time .20
6.2.7 Conducted Spurious emissions .20
6.2.8 Adjacent channel power.20
6.2.9 Wide-band noise.21
6.2.10 Frequency Tolerance.21
6.2.11 Load VSWR capability.21
6.2.12 Cabinet radiation.21
6.3 Transceiver requirements.21
6.3.1 Start of transmission .21
ETSI
4 ETSI EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1 (2005-04)
6.3.2 Automatic transmitter shutdown.21
6.3.3 Receiver to transmitter turnaround time .21
6.3.4 Transmitter to receiver turnaround time .21
6.3.5 System timing requirements .22
7 General design requirements.22
7.1 Controls and indicators.22
7.2 Class of emission and modulation characteristics .22
7.3 Warm up.22
8 Test conditions, power sources and ambient temperatures .22
8.1 Test power source.22
8.2 Test channels.22
8.3 General conditions of measurement .23
8.3.1 Receiver test signal arrangement .23
8.3.2 Performance check.23
8.4 Normal and extreme test conditions .23
8.4.1 Normal test conditions .23
8.4.1.1 Normal temperature and humidity .23
8.4.1.2 Normal power sources.23
8.4.1.2.1 Mains voltage and frequency.23
8.4.1.2.2 Other power sources .23
8.4.2 Extreme test conditions.23
8.4.2.1 Extreme temperatures.23
8.4.2.2 Procedure for tests at extreme temperatures.24
8.4.2.2.1 General.24
8.4.2.2.2 High temperature.24
8.4.2.2.3 Low temperature.24
8.4.2.3 Extreme values of test power sources .24
8.4.2.3.1 Mains voltage and frequency.24
9 Detailed Test Procedures for the physical layer.24
9.1 Receiver.25
9.1.1 BER test.25
9.1.2 Sensitivity.26
9.1.3 Adjacent Channel Rejection.27
9.1.4 Rejection of signals within the VHF Aeronautical band.27
9.1.5 Rejection of signals outside the VHF Aeronautical band .28
9.1.6 Desired Signal dynamic range .29
9.1.7 Symbol rate capture range .30
9.1.8 Frequency capture range.30
9.1.9 Co-channel interference.31
9.1.10 Conducted spurious emission .31
9.1.11 In-band Intermodulation.32
9.2 Transmitter.33
9.2.1 Channel Bit Rate.33
9.2.2 Manufacturer's declared output power.33
9.2.3 RF power rise time.33
9.2.4 RF power release time .34
9.2.5 Spurious emissions.34
9.2.6 Adjacent channel power.35
9.2.6.1 Method of measurement for the first adjacent channel .35
9.2.6.2 Method of measurement for the second adjacent channel.36
9.2.6.3 Method of measurement for the fourth adjacent channel .37
9.2.6.4 Alternative Measurement Procedure for Adjacent Channel Power (ACP) .37
9.2.7 Wide-band noise.38
9.2.8 Frequency Error.39
9.2.8.1 Definition.39
9.2.8.2 Method of measurement.39
9.2.8.3 Limits.39
9.2.9 Load VSWR capability.39
9.3 Physical layer, system parameters.40
9.3.1 Receiver to Transmitter turn-around time.40
ETSI
5 ETSI EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1 (2005-04)
9.3.2 Transmitter to Receiver turn-around time.40
9.3.3 Tuning Time.41
Annex A (informative): Bibliography.42
History .43
ETSI
6 ETSI EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1 (2005-04)
Intellectual Property Rights
IPRs essential or potentially essential to the present document may have been declared to ETSI. The information
pertaining to these essential IPRs, if any, is publicly available for ETSI members and non-members, and can be found
in ETSI SR 000 314: "Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs); Essential, or potentially Essential, IPRs notified to ETSI in
respect of ETSI standards", which is available from the ETSI Secretariat. Latest updates are available on the ETSI Web
server (http://webapp.etsi.org/IPR/home.asp).
Pursuant to the ETSI IPR Policy, no investigation, including IPR searches, has been carried out by ETSI. No guarantee
can be given as to the existence of other IPRs not referenced in ETSI SR 000 314 (or the updates on the ETSI Web
server) which are, or may be, or may become, essential to the present document.
Foreword
This European Standard (Telecommunications series) has been produced by ETSI Technical Committee
Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM).
The present document is part 1 of a multi-part series covering the VHF air-ground Digital Link (VDL) Mode 4 radio
equipment; Technical characteristics and methods of measurement for ground-based equipment, as identified below:
Part 1: "EN for ground equipment";
Part 2: "General description and data link layer";
Part 3: "Additional broadcast aspects";
Part 4: "Point-to-point functions".
The present document is accompanied by an equivalent airborne standard, EN 302 842 [8] parts 1 to 4, covering the
VHF air-ground Digital Link (VDL) Mode 4 radio equipment; Technical characteristics and methods of measurement
for airborne equipment.
National transposition dates
Date of adoption of this EN: 15 April 2005
Date of latest announcement of this EN (doa): 31 July 2005
Date of latest publication of new National Standard
or endorsement of this EN (dop/e): 31 January 2006
Date of withdrawal of any conflicting National Standard (dow): 31 January 2006
Introduction
The present document states the technical specifications for Very High Frequency (VHF) Digital Link (VDL) Mode 4
ground-based radio transmitters, transceivers and receivers for air-ground communications operating in the VHF band,
using Gaussian-filtered Frequency Shift Keying (GFSK) Modulation with 25 kHz channel spacing and capable of
tuning to any of the 25 kHz channels from 118,000 MHz to 136,975 MHz as defined in ICAO VHF Digital Link (VDL)
Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) [2].
The present document may be used to produce tests for the assessment of the performance of the equipment. The
performance of the equipment submitted for type testing should be representative of the performance of the
corresponding production model.
ETSI
7 ETSI EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1 (2005-04)
The present document has been written on the assumption that:
• the type test measurements will be performed only once, in an accredited test laboratory and the measurements
accepted by the various authorities in order to grant type approval;
• if equipment available on the market is required to be checked it may be tested in accordance with the methods
of measurement specified in the present document or a documented alternative approved by the certifying
authority;
• equipment comply with EN 301 489-22 [6].
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8 ETSI EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1 (2005-04)
1 Scope
The present document provides part 1 of the technical specifications for Very High Frequency (VHF) Digital Link
(VDL) Mode 4 ground-based radio transmitters and receivers for air-ground communications operating in the VHF
band, using Gaussian-filtered Frequency Shift Keying (GFSK) Modulation with 25 kHz channel spacing and capable of
tuning to any of the 25 kHz channels from 118,000 MHz to 136,975 MHz as defined in ICAO VHF Digital Link (VDL)
Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) [2].
The present document is designed to ensure that equipment certified to it will be compatible with the relevant ICAO
VHF Digital Link (VDL) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) [2] and VDL Mode 4 Technical Manual
(TM) [1].
Manufacturers should note that in future the tuning range for the ground transceivers may also cover any 25 kHz
channel from 108,000 MHz to 117,975 MHz.
The scope of the present document is limited to ground stations. The equivalent specification for airborne stations is
EN 302 842 [8].
The VDL Mode 4 system provides digital communication exchanges between aircraft and ground-based systems and
other aircraft supporting surveillance and communication applications. The supported modes of communication include:
• broadcast and point-to-point communication;
• broadcast services including Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B), Traffic Information
Service - Broadcast (TIS-B) and Flight Information Service - Broadcast (FIS-B) capabilities;
• air-air, air-to-ground, and ground-to-air services;
• operation without ground infrastructure.
The present document is derived from the specifications:
• VDL Mode 4 standards produced under the auspices of the International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) [1] and [2].
• Other relevant standards as defined in clause 2.
It is envisaged that manufacturers may provide equipment supporting:
• broadcast services only;
• point-to-point services only;
• both broadcast and point-to-point services.
The present document deals with tests of the physical layer necessary to support all types of equipment.
The present document includes:
• Clause 2 provides references to relevant documents.
• Clause 3 provides general definitions, abbreviations and symbols used.
• Clause 4 provides refers to a general description and architecture of VDL Mode 4 contained in
EN 301 842-2 [7].
• Clause 5 provides functional specifications applicable to the physical layer including transmitter/receiver
requirements and the modulation scheme.
• Clause 6 provides general equipment requirements.
• Clause 7 provides general design requirements.
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9 ETSI EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1 (2005-04)
• Clause 8 covers general test conditions, environmental tests and calibration.
• Clause 9 provides detailed test procedures for the physical layer.
The full physical layer tests are provided which correspond closely to the standard set of tests used for other VDL
systems.
Mandating and Recommendation Phrases
a) "Shall"
The use of the word "Shall" indicates a mandated criterion; i.e. compliance with the particular procedure or
specification is mandatory and no alternative may be applied.
b) "Should"
The use of the word "Should" (and phrases such as "It is recommended that.", etc.) indicate that though the
procedure or criterion is regarded as the preferred option, alternative procedures, specifications or criteria may
be applied, provided that the manufacturer, installer or tester can provide information or data to adequately
support and justify the alternative.
2 References
The following documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of the present
document.
• References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific.
• For a specific reference, subsequent revisions do not apply.
• For a non-specific reference, the latest version applies.
Referenced documents which are not found to be publicly available in the expected location might be found at
http://docbox.etsi.org/Reference.
[1] ICAO Doc 9816 (First Edition 2004): "Manual on VHF Digital Link (VDL) Mode 4,
Part 2, Detailed Technical Specifications".
[2] ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices: "Annex 10 to the Convention of International Civil
Aviation", Volume III, Part I, Chapter 6.
[3] ISO/IEC 7498-1 (1994): "Information technology - Open Systems Interconnection - Basic
Reference Model: The Basic Model".
[4] ISO/IEC 10731 (1994): "Information technology - Open Systems Interconnection - Basic
Reference Model - Conventions for the definition of OSI services".
[5] ETSI EN 300 113-1: "Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); Land
mobile service; Radio equipment intended for the transmission of data (and/or speech) using
constant or non-constant envelope modulation and having an antenna connector; Part 1: Technical
characteristics and methods of measurement".
[6] ETSI EN 301 489-22: "Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM);
ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standard for radio equipment and services;
Part 22: Specific conditions for ground based VHF aeronautical mobile and fixed radio
equipment".
[7] ETSI EN 301 842-2: "Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); VHF
air-ground Digital Link (VDL) Mode 4 radio equipment; Technical characteristics and methods of
measurement for ground-based equipment; Part 2: General description and data link layer".
[8] ETSI EN 302 842 (all parts): "Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM);
VHF air-ground and air-air Digital Link (VDL) Mode 4 radio equipment; Technical characteristics
and methods of measurement for aeronautical mobile (airborne) equipment".
ETSI
10 ETSI EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1 (2005-04)
3 Definitions and abbreviations
3.1 Definitions
3.1.1 Basic reference model definitions
The present document is based on the concepts developed in the open systems interconnect basic reference model and
makes use of the following terms defined in ISO/IEC 7498-1 [3]:
• layer,
• sublayer,
• entity,
• service,
• service access point,
• service data unit,
• physical layer,
• data link layer.
3.1.2 Service conventions definitions
The present document makes use of the following terms defined in ISO/IEC 10731 [4]:
• service provider,
• service user,
• service primitive,
• request,
• indication,
• confirm.
3.1.3 General definitions
For the purposes of the present document, the following terms and definitions apply:
adjacent channel power: amount of the modulated RF signal power which falls within a given adjacent channel
NOTE: Adjacent channel power includes discrete spurious, signal sidebands, and noise density (including phase
noise) at the transmitter output.
Adjacent Channel Rejection: receiver's ability to demodulate the desired signal and meet the BER requirement in the
presence of an interfering signal in an adjacent channel
NOTE: The ratio (in dB) between the adjacent interfering signal level and the desired signal level necessary to
achieve the specified minimum BER, is the adjacent channel rejection (ACR) ratio.
Aeronautical Mobile Service: mobile service between aeronautical stations and aircraft stations, or between aircraft
stations, in which survival craft stations may participate
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11 ETSI EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1 (2005-04)
Aeronautical Telecommunications Network: internetwork architecture that allows ground, air/ground, and aircraft
data subnetworks to interoperate by adopting common interface services and protocols based on the International
Organization for Standardization Open Systems Interconnection Reference Model
aircraft address: unique combination of 24 bits available for assignment to an aircraft for the purpose of air-ground
communications, navigation and surveillance
NOTE: An aircraft may choose not to use this unique address and can use instead a non-unique address.
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B): surveillance application transmitting parameters, such as
position, track and ground speed, via a broadcast mode data link for use by any air and ground users requiring it
NOTE: ADS-B is a surveillance service based on aircraft self-determination of position/velocity/time and
automatic, periodic or random, broadcast of this information along with auxiliary data such as aircraft
identity (ID), communications control parameters, etc. ADS-B is intended to support multiple high-level
applications and associated services such as cockpit display of traffic information, traffic alert and
collision avoidance functionality, enhanced traffic management in the air and on the ground, search and
rescue support and others.
autotune function: function, performed by the Link Management Entity, that allows a ground VDL Mode 4 station to
command an aircraft to change the operating characteristics of synchronization burst transmissions
Bit Error Rate (BER): expressed as the ratio between the number of erroneous bits received and the total number of
bits received
burst length: number of slots across which the VDL Mode 4 burst is transmitted
Co-Channel Interference (CCI): co-channel interference protection defines the capability of a receiver to demodulate
the desired signal and achieve the minimum specified BER performance in the presence of an unwanted signal at the
same assigned frequency
NOTE: The ratio (in dB) between the wanted signal level and the unwanted signal level is the co-channel
interference ratio. The co-channel interference ratio has a major impact on frequency re-use planning
criteria.
conducted measurements: measurements which are made using a direct RF connection to the equipment under test
current slot: slot in which a received transmission begins
Data Link Entity: protocol state machine capable of setting up and managing a single data link connection
Data Link Service (DLS) sublayer: sublayer that resides above the VDL Mode 4 Specific Services (VSS) and the
MAC sublayers
NOTE: The data link service (DLS) manages the transmit queue, creates and destroys data link entities (DLEs)
for connection-oriented communications, provides facilities for the link management entity (LME) to
manage the DLS, and provides facilities for connection-less communications.
data rate: Mode 4 nominal data rate is 19 200 bits/s
delayed burst: VDL Mode 4 burst that begins sufficiently after the beginning of a slot so that the transmitting VDL
Mode 4 station is confident that no other VDL Mode 4 station that it could receive from and is within the guard range is
transmitting in the slot
NOTE: The delayed VDL Mode 4 burst terminates by the end of the slot in which it began (its length is shortened
to ensure completion by the nominal time).
DLS system: VDL system that implements the DLS and subnetwork protocols to carry Aeronautical
Telecommunications Network (ATN) or other packets
frame: link layer frame is composed of a sequence of address, control, information and FCS fields, bracketed by
opening and closing flag sequences
NOTE: A valid frame is at least 11 octets in length and contains an address field (8 octets), a link control field
(1 octet) and a frame check sequence (2 octets). A frame may or may not include a variable-length
information field.
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12 ETSI EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1 (2005-04)
Global Signalling Channel (GSC): channel available on a world wide basis which provides for communication control
ground base station: aeronautical station equipment, in the aeronautical mobile service, for use with an external
antenna and intended for use at a fixed location
ground station coordination: coordination of transmissions from two or more ground stations uses the UTC-minute
time frame
hand held: radio equipment with integral batteries, designed to be hand portable and operated hand held
NOTE: Provisions may be made for external connections and temporary installation into vehicles.
integral antenna equipment: radio communications equipment with an antenna integrated into the equipment without
the use of an external connector and considered to be part of the equipment
NOTE: An integral antenna may be internal or external to the equipment. In equipment of this type, a 50 Ω RF
connection point shall be provided for test purposes.
link: connects a mobile DLE and a ground DLE and is uniquely specified by the combination of mobile DLS address
and the ground DLS address
NOTE: A different subnetwork entity resides above every link endpoint.
link establishment: process by which two stations discover each other, determine to communicate with each other,
decide upon the communication parameters, create a link and initialize its state before beginning communications
link handoff: process by which peer LMEs, already in communication with each other, create a link between an aircraft
and a new ground station before disconnecting the old link between the aircraft and the current ground station
link layer: layer that lies immediately above the physical layer in the Open Systems Interconnection protocol model
NOTE: The link layer provides for the reliable transfer of information across the physical media. It is subdivided
into the data link sublayer and the media access control sublayer.
Link Management Entity (LME): protocol state machine capable of acquiring, establishing, and maintaining a
connection to a single peer system
NOTE: An LME establishes data link and subnetwork connections, "hands-off" those connections, and manages
the media access control sublayer and physical layer. An aircraft LME tracks how well it can
communicate with the ground stations of a single ground system. An aircraft VDL management entity
(VME) instantiates an LME for each ground station that it monitors. Similarly, the ground VME
instantiates an LME for each aircraft that it monitors. An LME is deleted when communication with the
peer system is no longer viable.
Media Access Control (MAC): sublayer that acquires the data path and controls the movement of bits over the data
path
mobile: radio equipment designed for installation into vehicles
non-integral antenna equipment: radio communications equipment with a connector intended for connection to an
antenna
physical layer: lowest level layer in the Open Systems Interconnection protocol model
NOTE: The physical layer is concerned with only the transmission of binary information over the physical
medium (e.g. VHF radio).
primary time source: normal operation timing mode in which a VDL Mode 4 station maintains time synchronization
to Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) second to within a two-sigma value of 400 ns
private parameters: parameters that are contained in exchange identity (XID) frames and that are unique to the VHF
digital link environment
radiated measurements: measurements which involve the measurement of a radiated field
reference signal level: signal level used in the receiver performance specifications except otherwise stated
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13 ETSI EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1 (2005-04)
reference bit sequence: sequence of bits used in the transmitter performance specifications
secondary time source: timing source used in a failure mode, which applies when the primary time source fails, in
which a VDL Mode 4 station maintains time synchronization to UTC second to within a two-sigma value of 15 µs
Self-organizing Time Division Multiple Access (STDMA): multiple access scheme based on time-shared use of a
radio frequency (RF) channel employing:
1) discrete contiguous time slots as the fundamental shared resource; and
2) a set of operating protocols that allows users to mediate access to these time slots without reliance on a master
control station
slot: In VDL Mode 4, time is divided into a series of time slots of equal period. Each VDL Mode 4 burst transmission
starts at the beginning of a slot.
station: VDL Mode 4 Specific Services (VSS)-capable entity
NOTE: A station may be either a mobile station or a ground station. A station is a physical entity that transmits
and receives bursts over the RF interface (either A/G or air-to-air (A/A)) and comprises, at a minimum: a
physical layer, media access control sublayer, and a unique VSS address. A station which is also a DLS
station has the same address.
subnetwork layer: layer that establishes, manages, and terminates connections across a subnetwork
superframe: group of 4 500 slots that span a period of one UTC minute
NOTE: The start of the current superframe is aligned with the start of the slot that is currently being used for
transmission. The next superframe starts one minute after the current slot.
synchronization burst (or "sync" burst): VDL Mode 4 burst which announces, as a minimum, existence and position
NOTE: Ground stations announce existence, position, and the current time. Mobile stations lacking timing
information can then derive the slot structure from ground synchronization bursts. Mobile stations lacking
position information can derive position from both mobile and ground synchronization bursts. This
periodic information is used in various ways including ADS-B, secondary navigation, and simplifying the
LME algorithms.
Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA): multiple access scheme based on time-shared use of an RF channel
employing:
1) discrete contiguous time slots as the fundamental shared resource; and
2) a set of operating protocols that allows users to interact with a master control station to mediate access to the
channel
unicasted transmission: transmission addressed to a single station
VDL Mode 2: VHF data link using a differentially encoded 8 phase shift keying modulation scheme and carrier sense
multiple access
VDL Mode 4: VHF data link using a Gaussian Filtered Frequency Shift Keying modulation scheme and self organizing
time division multiple access
VDL Mode 4 burst: sequence of source address, burst ID, information, slot reservation, and frame check sequence
(FCS) fields, bracketed by opening and closing flag sequences, and preceded by a preamble
NOTE 1: The start of a burst may occur only at quantized time intervals and this constraint allows the propagation
delay between the transmission and reception to be derived.
NOTE 2: The burst definitions contained within the present document consider the link layer data only (and
exclude the preamble).
VDL Mode 4 Specific Services (VSS) sublayer: sublayer that resides above the MAC sublayer and provides VDL
Mode 4 specific access protocols including reserved, random and fixed protocols
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14 ETSI EN 301 842-1 V1.2.1 (2005-04)
VSS user: user of the VDL Mode 4 Specific Services
NOTE: The VSS u
...