ANACOM has an ongoing radioelectric spectrum monitoring and control service which seeks to ensure that the radiocommunications networks and stations operate without harmful interferences.
It was in the context of this activity that ANACOM, in collaboration with NAV Portugal, resolved an interference at Lisbon Airport reported by a company, based in the United States of America (USA), that uses the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) and VHF Digital Link (VDL2) service from the USA.
The origin of the interference was found through joint tests and trials conducted by ANACOM and NAV. The intervention and investigation of ANACOM's technical teams enabled detecting the reason underlying the pattern of the interference and finding a solution for the problem, now enabling full attainment of the service provided to the aircraft and “controlled” from the USA.
Action to resolve interference at Lisbon Airport.
Commercial aircraft are full of radio communication means, in various radioelectric spectrum bands, that enable communication between pilots and air traffic control, as well as a series of means to assist air navigation. These crucial means of communication, between the aircraft and the ground stations, assure flight safety and, consequently, safeguard human life.
Aeronautical communications services are classified according to their intended function, into safety and non-safety. Communications of the safety type fall under the remit of the Air Traffic System (ATS), Air Traffic Communications (ATC) and Aeronautical Operational Control Messages (AOC) - Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) and VHF Digital Link - VDL2). It was precisely one of these systems that was being interfered with, which implied the intervention of ANACOM technical teams to resolve the problem.
