AIXM

AIXM is the backbone of EAD representing both the data model the static data (SDO) is based upon and the exchange means for the aeronautical data. The current version of AIXM implemented in EAD is 4.5.

The newest version released in 2010 by the AIXM Development Team is AIXM 5.1. This version is the baseline that will progressively be implemented in EAD, in order to align EAD to the European Commission (EU) Regulation 73/2010 (Aeronautical Data Quality - ADQ), to the ICAO SARPS provisions for electronic terrain and obstacle data (eTOD) and to the Digital NOTAM.

AIXM Implementation in EAD

The EAD is currently undertaking the development process of implementing AIXM 5.1 in its SDO and INO subsystems, while AIP Tool and Charting tool will also be enhanced at a later stage in the same direction.

The key aspect that EAD takes into account is the parallel support of the Clients operating under both AIXM 4.5 and AIXM 5.1 environments. This means that EAD will continue to maintain the current SDO whilst progressively deploying the AIXM 5.1.

AIXM 5.1 Implementation

In order not to impair with the current EAD operations, a new project has been set up at the beginning of 2011 in order to develop and to implement AIXM 5.1 in EAD. The project will exist independently, having set up a set of deliverables that will be step-by-step integrated into the mainstream of the EAD applications and services, aligned to the Release Management, as shown below:

Each phase of the AIXM 5.1 implementation project is split into four steps:

• analysis
• specification
• development
• testing

Below is an illustration of Phase 1 of the project, aiming at delivering the first AIXM 5.1 download.

In order to integrate the AIXM 5.1 deliverables into EAD/SDO, an interoperability concept has been developed. The interoperability is based on a Mapping engine between the two data models (AIXM 4.5 and AIXM 5.1) and an interface that will link the two systems:

Each system will exist independently and the data shall be synchronized in the two databases.

AIXM 5.1 Specification

The EAD Specification is based on the AIXM 5.1 documentation published on www.aixm.aero (AIXM 5.1 Temporality, Use of GML for Aviation Data, etc.)