Aeronautical Message Handling System

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Aeronautical Message Handling System (AMHS) or Air Traffic Services Message Handling System (ATSMHS) is a standard for aeronautical ground-ground communications (e.g. for the transmission of NOTAM, flight plans or meteorological data) based on X.400 profiles. It has been defined by the ICAO.

Contents

IWXXM requires the use of AMHS for international exchange. [1]

Levels of service

ICAO Doc 9880 Part II [2] defines two fundamental levels of service within the ATSMHS;

Additionally, ICAO Doc 9880 (Part II, section 3.4) outlines different subsets of the Extended ATSMHS. The Basic ATSMHS performs an operational role similar to the Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network with a few enhancements. The Extended ATSMHS provided enhanced features but includes the Basic level of service capability; in this way it is ensured that users with Extended Service capabilities can inter-operate, at a basic level, with users having Basic Service capabilities and vice versa.

The ATSMHS is provided by a set of end systems, which collectively comprise the ATS Message Handling System. The systems co-operate to provide users (human or automated) with a data communication service. The AMHS network is composed of interconnected ATS Message Servers that perform message switching at the application layer (Layer 7 in the OSI model).

Direct users connect to ATS Message Servers by means of ATS Message User Agents. An ATS Message User Agent supporting the Extended level of service will use the Basic level of service to allow communication with users who only support the Basic ATSMHS.

Interoperability

In order to ensure unobstructed communication between the ANSPs, the European Air Navigation Planning Group (EANPG) of ICAO has defined 59 test cases in its EUR AMHS Manual (V5.0), 17/06/2010 (Appendix D, AMHS Conformance Tests), ASIA/PAC AMHS Manual (Annex B, AMHS Conformance and Compatibility Test, V2.0, 22/09/08) which have to be performed prior to establishment of bilateral links between the ANSPs. Those tests are conducted using a test engine (AMHS Conformance Test Tool) and verify the conformance to the AMHS standard, which is defined in ICAO Doc 9880-AN/466: Manual on Detailed Technical Specifications for the Aeronautical Telecommunication Network (ATN) using ISO/OSI Standards and Protocols, Second Advanced Edition - 2016, Part II.

In the context of Single European Sky (SES) initiative and the European regulation EC552/2004 [3] EUROCONTROL developed a specification [4] to complement the regulation. The use of the specifications facilitates the demonstration of conformity to the essential requirements and regulatory provisions.

Implementations

In order to facilitate the transition from legacy protocols to this new standard EUROCONTROL launched a project called ECG (European or EATM Communications Gateway) to develop a gateway between AFTN and AMHS. The ECG was developed by the French manufacturer THALES and the German manufacturer FREQUENTIS COMSOFT. Meanwhile, nearly all AMHS systems in Europe are derived from the ECG (see table below).

Similar solutions are offered by Indra Avitech GmbH (Germany), Intelcan (Canada), TELEFONICA (Spain), IDS AirNav (Italy, Canada), Copperchase Ltd (UK), Radiocom (USA) working together with Skysoft Servicios S.A. (Argentina) and FREQUENTIS (Austria).

The first AMHS system was implemented by Avitech GmbH (Germany) as a pioneer solution and went into operational use in 1996 with 36 centers for the German Military (Bundeswehr) and the first AMHS connection in Europe is in operational use since February 2005 between the ANSPs of Germany and Spain. Second in Europe were Bosnia and Herzegovina with Austria in 2011. The first operational AMHS connection in the Middle East was established in 2009 between the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi) and Oman. In the meantime Abu Dhabi has evolved as a nucleus for the introduction of AMHS in the Middle East, resulting in a coherent AMHS network of operational connection between UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar. Since 2010 Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia form the first operational AMHS triangle. In 2012 the South American countries Peru and Colombia joined the circle of AMHS users while Asia has operated AMHS links between Hong Kong and Macao since 2009 and between Singapore and India since 2011.

Interregional AMHS connections for improved traffic between ICAO regions could be established between the UK and the US in 2011 and the UK and Singapore in the beginning of 2012.

By end 2011, ANSPs worldwide have replaced 14 operational international AFTN connections by an AMHS link. The up-to-date worldwide implementation status of AMHS is recorded in the ICAO COM Charts which are available from the AMC (ATS Messaging Management Centre) operated by EUROCONTROL.

AMHS usage around the world

Country / AuthorityOnline sinceAFTN / AMHS GatewayATS Message User AgentATS Service LevelSystem Supplier
Abu Dhabi (civil aviation authority)2009YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Abu Dhabi (new airport)2009YesYesExtended THALES
Afghanistan (OTAN)2010YesYesExtended THALES
Albania2016YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS
Angola2012YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Algeria2004YesYesBasic THALES
Argentina (Civil Aviation)2022YesYes 250Extended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Argentina (Military)2012YesYes 75Extended SKYSOFT
Armenia2016YesYesExtended Monitor Soft
Aruba2017YesYesExtended THALES
Australia2007YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Austria2017YesYesExtended THALES
Azerbaijan2013YesYesExtended IDS AirNav
Bahamas2012YesYesExtended IDS AirNav
Bahrain2024YesYesExtended THALES
Bangladesh2013YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Belgium2010YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Belize2016YesYesExtended THALES
Benin2015YesYesExtended Indra Avitech
Bolivia2010YesYesExtended THALES
Bolivia (Backup)2021YesYesExtended SKYSOFT
Bosnia-Herzegovina2010YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Botswana2013YesYesExtended IDS AirNav
Brazil2009YesYesBasic Atech
Brunei2015YesYesExtended THALES
Bulgaria2012YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Bulgaria (military)2011YesYesExtended THALES
Burkina Faso2016YesYesExtended Indra Avitech
Cambodia2013YesYesExtended Indra Avitech
Canada2012YesYesExtended Indra Avitech
Cape Verde2005YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS
Cayman Islands2014YesYesBasic FREQUENTIS
Chad2015YesYesExtended Indra Avitech
China/Hong Kong2009YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
China/Macao2008YesYesBasic FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Chile2019YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Colombia2009YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Congo2016YesYesExtended Indra Avitech
Costa Rica2016YesYesExtended THALES
Croatia2013YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Curaçao2012YesYesExtended IDS AirNav
Cyprus2016YesYesExtended THALES
Czech Republic2019YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS
Denmark2016YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS
Dominican Republic2009YesYesExtended IDS AirNav
Dubai2012YesYesExtended Indra Avitech
Ecuador (Quito & Guayaquil)2011YesYesExtended THALES
Equatorial Guinea2014YesYesExtended Intelcan
Ecuador (Guayaquil - Backup system)2007YesYesExtended RADIOCOM + SKYSOFT
El Salvador2015YesYesExtended THALES
Egypt2008YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Estonia2015YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS
Ethiopia2023YesYesExtended Indra Avitech
Eurocontrol NMOC2005YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Eurocontrol MUAC2011YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Fiji2010YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Finland2019YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS
France2010YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
France - French Guiana2017YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
France - New Caledonia2016YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Georgia2012YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Germany (civil)2005YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Germany (military)1996YesNoExtended Indra Avitech
Ghana2012YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Ghana2020YesYesExtended Indra Avitech
Greece2018YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS
Guatemala2016YesYesExtended THALES
Guinea2012YesYesExtended Intelcan
Guyana2011YesYesExtended Intelcan
Honduras2016YesYesExtended THALES
Hungary2009YesYesExtended Indra Avitech
Iceland2010YesYesExtended Tern Systems
India (civil)2012YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
India (military)2024YesYesExtended THALES
Indonesia2016YesYesExtended IDS AirNav
Iran2011YesYesExtended partodadeh
Ireland2016YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS
Italy2015YesYesBasic VITROCISET(AMHS) + SITTI(USER AGENT)
Jamaica2010YesYesExtended IDS AirNav
Jersey2024YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS
Jordan2008YesYesExtended Indra Avitech
Kenya2013YesYesExtended THALES
Kuwait2012YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Laos2011YesYesExtended THALES
Latvia2024YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS
Lebanon2013YesYesExtended THALES
Liberia2012YesYesExtended Intelcan
Lithuania2010YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Luxemburg2024YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS
Macedonia2006YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Malaysia2024YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS
Madagascar2016YesYesExtended Indra Avitech
Maldives2023YesYesExtended IDS AirNav
Mali2016YesYesExtended Indra Avitech
Malta2019YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Mauritania2016YesYesExtended Indra Avitech
Mauritius2021YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS
Mexico2012YesYesExtended THALES
Moldova2012YesYesExtended IDS AirNav
Mongolia2012YesYesBasic FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Montenegro2010YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Morocco2007YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Mozambique2012YesYesExtended IDS AirNav
Myanmar2024YesYesExtended THALES
Nepal2012YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Netherlands2009YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
New Zealand2012YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Nicaragua2016YesYesExtended THALES
Niger2016YesYesExtended Indra Avitech
Norway2023YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS
Oman2008YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Pakistan2009YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Panama2013YesYesExtended THALES
Panama (Contingency)2018YesYesExtended Indra Avitech
Papua New Guinea2013YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Paraguay2008Yes50Extended RADIOCOM + SKYSOFT
Peru2008YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Philippines2006YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Poland (civil)2014YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Poland (military)2013YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Portugal- Air Force2018YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS
Portugal- ANSP2017YesYesExtended THALES
Qatar2010YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Romania2018YesYesExtended THALES
Russia2014YesYesExtended Monitor Soft
Saudi Arabia2010YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Saudi Arabia (MIL)2017YesYesExtended THALES
Serbia2010YesYesExtended THALES
Sénégal2016YesYesExtended Indra Avitech
Sierra Leone2012YesYesExtended Intelcan
Singapore2007YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
SITA (AMHS/Type X Gateway)2015YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Slovakia2008YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Slovenia2024YesYesExtended THALES
South Africa2012YesYesExtended THALES
Spain1999YesYesExtended Telefónica
Sri Lanka2012YesYesExtended IDS AirNav
St. Maarten2012YesYesExtended IDS AirNav
Sudan2012YesYesBasic THALES
Suriname2011YesYesExtended Intelcan
Sweden2024YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS
Switzerland2010YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Taiwan2018YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Tanzania2015YesYesBasic FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Thailand2009YesYesExtended IDS AirNav
Trinidad & Tobago2012YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Togo2015YesYesExtended Indra Avitech
Tunisia2008YesYesExtended Indra Avitech
Turkey2009YesYesExtended Indra Avitech
Turkmenistan2018YesYesExtended THALES
UAE- Sharjah International Airport2024YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS
Uganda2018YesYesExtended IDS AirNav
Ukraine2014YesYesExtended Indra Avitech
United Kingdom2006YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
United States2013YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Uruguay2022YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS
Venezuela2017YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT
Zambia2013YesYesExtended IDS AirNav
Zimbabwe2010YesYesExtended FREQUENTIS COMSOFT

See also

References

  1. ↑ Latifiyan, Pouya; Entezari, Mojtaba (March 2024). "IWXXM Amendment (ICAO Meteorological Information Exchange Model)". CATC Robex and Statics Conferences - 2024. Tehran, Iran: 49. doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.12572.30088 . IWXXM messages are lengthy and contain characters not supported by AFTN, so cannot use AFTN equipment. IWXXM requires the use of AMHS for international exchange.
  2. ↑ "Manual on Detailed Technical Specifications for the Aeronautical Telecommunication Network (ATN) using ISO/OSI standards and protocols, First Edition - 2010, Part II – Ground-Ground Applications – ATS message handling service (ATSMHS)" (PDF). ICAO. December 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ "Regulation (EC) No 552/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the interoperability of the European Air Traffic Management network". Official Journal of the European Union. 10 March 2004. Retrieved 2010-05-19.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ↑ "EUROCONTROL Specification on the Air Traffic Services Message Handling System (AMHS)" (PDF). EUROCONTROL. 18 September 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
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