5G Integrated Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance: A Vision and Future Research Perspectives

TL;DR

This paper envisions a 5G-based integrated CNS system for aviation, combining communication, navigation, and surveillance to enhance safety, efficiency, and spectrum use, with a focus on future research challenges.

Contribution

It proposes a novel 5G ICNS architecture supporting integrated aviation services and discusses key radio technologies and research directions for low-altitude mobility applications.

Findings

5G can support integrated CNS services with high throughput and low latency.

The architecture enables improved spectrum efficiency and navigation predictability.

Identifies challenges and future research directions for 5G ICNS deployment.

Abstract

Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) is the backbone of the Air Traffic Management (ATM) and Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) systems, ensuring safe and efficient operations of modern and future aviation. Traditionally, the CNS is considered three independent systems: communications, navigation, and surveillance. The current CNS system is fragmented, with limited integration across its three domains. Integrated CNS (ICNS) is a contemporary concept implying that those systems are provisioned through the same technology stack. ICNS is envisioned to improve service quality, spectrum efficiency, communication capacity, navigation predictability, and surveillance capabilities. The 5G technology stack offers higher throughput, lower latency, and massive connectivity compared to many existing communication technologies. This paper presents our 5G ICNS vision and network architecture and discusses how 5G technology can support integrated CNS services using terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. We also discuss key 5G radio access technologies for delivering integrated CNS services at low altitudes for Innovative Air Mobility (IAM) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations. Finally, we present relevant challenges and potential research directions for further studies.