Market Survey Request for Information (RFI)

NAS Voice System (NVS)

Background:

The mission of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is to provide the safest, most
efficient aerospace system in the world. A major initiative in support of this mission is
NextGen – the Next Generation Air Transportation System. NextGen is a transformation
of the National Airspace System (NAS) using 21st century technologies to ensure that
future safety, capacity and environmental needs are met.

The NAS Voice System (NVS) is one of five transformational NextGen programs. The
NVS program will allow the FAA’s air traffic control to achieve a network-based
infrastructure. NVS will support a more flexible voice communications system that
includes dynamic re-sectorization, resource reallocation, and airspace redesign. The
NVS program will replace current voice switches and radio control equipment with new
equipment capable of operating in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) mode.

The FAA engages in extensive multilateral consultation in forums such as the

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and with global partners such as
EUROCONTROL. The focus on harmonization of international standards for Air Traffic
Management (ATM) services such as frequency allocations and new communications
systems is integral to the core business of supporting the safe, secure, and efficient
operation of the NAS. EUROCAE Working Group 67 (WG-67) has developed the
following attached VoIP ATM documents for European States: ED-136 – VoIP ATM
System Operational and Technical Requirements, ED-137 – Interoperability Standards
for VoIP ATM Components, and ED-138 – Network Requirements and Performances
for VoIP ATM Systems. As part of the process in establishing a VoIP standard for NVS
that is in harmony with an international standard for VoIP, the FAA is reviewing the
EUROCAE WG-67 VoIP documents.

Purpose:

In this RFI, the FAA is seeking industry comments and insights to the EUROCAE
WG-67 documents noted above as they relate to FAA-centric voice communication
requirements. RFI responders should consider the following questions:

• Can you identify any current FAA voice communication

operational requirements that are not supported by the EUROCAE standards? If
so, can you suggest alternative approaches, modifications, or extensions to these
standards to overcome these limitations?

• Do you see any problems in meeting the end-to-end Signaling and

Voice Delay Requirements currently listed in ED-136 and ED-137? If so,
please provide a detailed description of the issues and the necessary changes to
overcome these limitations?

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 Market Survey Request for Information (RFI)
NAS Voice System (NVS)

• ED-136 currently defines four PTT priorities (Normal, Coupling,

Priority, and Emergency). Do you have any comments on the suitability of
these priorities to satisfy current FAA operational requirements?

• Do you have any comments regarding the suitability of the

protocols adopted by the WG-67 standards (e.g., SIP, RTP/RTCP) to satisfy
NVS requirements?

• ED-138 makes no clear recommendation in the QoS protocol area,

but seems to favor implementation of Differentiated Service Protocols. Based
on industry experience with the implementation of multimedia packet networks
that support voice, data, and video, what is your recommendation regarding the
implementation of QoS protocols for NVS network focusing on the need to
support high-priority voice communication links that require 99.999%
availability?

In October 2009, the EUROCONTROL Communications Team created a sub-group

entitled VOTE (VoIP in ATM Implementation and Transition Expert Group). The
general mission of VOTE is to address VoIP in ATM implementation and transition-
related issues to identify solutions and deliver recommendations to interested parties (i.e.,
Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), industry, telecommunications companies,
and standardization bodies. The FAA is a member of VOTE and encourages interested
parties to participate in order to ensure that FAA voice communications requirements are
adequately addressed and incorporated.

Please submit your responses to this RFI on/by 12:00 Noon EST on Friday, February 19th
2010. Responses should be submitted electronically to Kathy St. Hill, Contracting
Officer, at Kathy.Sthill@faa.gov. Questions may be directed to the Contracting Officer at
202-493-1408.

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