Description / Abstract: This document specifies requirements for the unique adaptations to the current IEEE 802.16-2009 standard to provide wireless data communications to mobile platforms on an airport surface. It was developed jointly by RTCA Special Committee 223 (SC-223) and the European Organization for Civil Aviation Equipment EUROCAE Working Group-82. The document introduces the technology and describes the process for the AeroMACS profile development. The background section provides an overview of system characteristics including concept of operations and principal users of AeroMACS. A description of assumptions is provided along with verification procedures necessary to validate profile parameter selection. The technical profiles section describes technical parameter selection required to meet aviation communication requirements. The requirements section concentrates on different spectrum areas focusing on efficient use of channel assignments and interoperability requirements prescribed by WiMAX forum.

AeroMACS is based on the existing IEEE 802.16-2009 WiMAX standard. Within the WiMAX Forum ™, an Aviation Working Group (AWG) has been incorporated to adapt AeroMACS requirements into the WiMAX profile documents. This document has investigated the use of WiMAX Forum™ Mobile System Profile: Release 1.0 Version 0.9 (WMF-T23-001-R010v09) against avionics needs. No technical obstacles - which would make it impossible to operate this particular profile for aviation – were found. Further analysis of the AeroMACS features was performed in the context of the SESAR project P15.2.7 activities and the outcome of these activities has been injected in the finalization of the AeroMACS profile and related documents in RTCA and EUROCAE (e.g., the AeroMACS MOPS).