ICAO 10039 PDF

PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE DOCUMENT

The Global Air Traffic Management (ATM) Operational Concept (Doc 9854) envisions the application of system-wide information management (SWIM), or simply put, information management, to integrate the ATM network in an information sense, not just in a system sense. This paradigm shift is the basis for migrating the previous one-to-one message exchange concept to the future many-to-many information distribution model. In this new scenario, many geographically dispersed sources collaboratively update the same piece of information, with many geographically dispersed destinations maintaining situational awareness regarding changes to that piece of information. The Manual on Air Traffic Management System Requirements (Doc 9882) reinforces the need for this paradigm shift.

In order to meet this vision and its subsequent requirements, information management solutions need to:

a) be defined at the overall system level, rather than individually at each major subsystem (programme, project, process or function) and interface levels, which was previously the case;

b) provide validated, quality-assured and timely information to support ATM operations. The quality of shared information will be monitored and controlled, and information-sharing mechanisms to support the ATM community will be provided; and

c) enable the seamless transfer of relevant information between parties in a flexible, adaptable and scalable information environment.

For this paradigm shift to happen, global interoperability must be achieved, and SWIM must be developed and deployed in a harmonized manner. The global SWIM concept starts with a common understanding of what it is and a description of the operations under a SWIM environment. To this end, this document:

a) provides a common understanding of the SWIM concept at a global level;

b) facilitates the communication between States or communities trying to coordinate efforts on related topics; and

c) establishes guidelines for providing information services based on a service-oriented architecture (SOA) that enables information service providers to deliver global interoperability by applying SWIM principles.

The principles listed in 1.1.3 will be achieved by:

a) defining terms relevant to SWIM to enable international discourse;

b) describing the SWIM concept and key principles;

c) introducing SWIM components (information, information services, technical infrastructure and governance);

d) introducing the SWIM global interoperability framework (GIF) layers (information services, information exchange models, technical infrastructure) and detailing their relationship with applications and the underlying network; and

e) describing how information is exchanged, both ground-ground and air-ground, using information exchange standards, information services and technical infrastructure.

The SWIM concept applies to users and stakeholders who exchange ground-ground as well as air-ground information. For the purposes of this manual, SWIM refers to the capabilities and components required to enable information exchange both on the ground and with airborne platforms.

Since SWIM concepts were researched and developed at varying times, implementation stages may differ in several States. With the advent of modernization programmes such as the Collaborative Action for Renovation of Air Traffic Systems (CARATS) in Japan, the China New Generation ATM System (CNAS), the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) in the United States, and the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) in Europe, stakeholders consider the implementation of SWIM as a fundamental requirement for future ATM operations.

SWIM implementation falls under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) strategic objective of increasing capacity and efficiency. As such, it supports a global air transport network with growing social, economic and connectivity needs of global businesses and the traveling public.