FINAL REPORT - Stakeholders - Ofcom

The Eurofix service that is under implementation by NELS is intended ultimately to:
• be available throughout the entire coverage area of NELS and the European
Union;
• meet the requirements for adoption/recognition as a component of the worldwide
radio-navigation system by the IMO/ICAO;
• meet the requirements for safety relevant applications for land and maritime
users.
Note that Eurofix will certainly not meet the requirements of civil aviation in the ECAC
area. However, general aviation (in those States currently using Loran-C) may benefit
from the new system.
GPS time synchronization of the Loran-C chains and the use of digital receivers may
support improved accuracy and coverage of the service.
Also, NELS are mapping the ASF (for propagation errors due to ephemeral effects) in
Member States – a series of corrections will be available as electronic databases.
NELS also have plans to extend coverage of Loran to the Mediterranean (2010), Canary
Islands and Eastern Europe (2015). It should be noted that aviation will almost certainly
not require Loran-C in these timescales, due to the availability of other navigation sources
(ref: datalink roadmap).
Standards
International standards for Loran-C/Eurofix receivers do not currently exist, although as
noted above (3.4.6.1), work is underway to standardise Eurofix within RTCM
specifications. Standardisation and certification of Loran-C/Eurofix receivers would be a
requirement prior to utilisation of such receivers for safety-critical environments within
Europe, such as in general aviation.
3.4.6.2 NDB
No development work for aviation uses is likely.
3.4.6.3 ILS
ILS systems reached relative maturity during the 1950s and 60s. With the advent of MLS
(and GNSS Landing Systems), it is not likely new ILS systems or technology will be
developed.
The main development in recent times is the co-locating of a DME system with the ILS,
replacing the outdated marker beacons.
3.4.6.4 VHF VOR
No improvements are likely.
3.4.6.5 C-Band MLS
Triple pairing (with DME/ILS) may lead to an inefficient use of the spectrum. Without triple
pairing, MLS may be fitted into the 5030-5090MHz band (with 5090-5150MHz or 5090-
5250MHz used for MLS expansion). The rest of the band could then be freed for AMSS. It
should be noted that WRC-03 modified Radio Regulation footnotes 5.444, 5.444A and
established Resolution 114 (Rev.WRC-03) which relates to this band.
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