Decode L band Satellite ACARS and CPDLC messages with JAERO
JAERO A program to demodulate and decode Classic Aero SatCom ACARS signals.
ACARS (Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System) messages sent from satellites to Aeroplanes
Receiving the RF signal.
CPDLC (Controller Pilot Data Link Communications ) is a two-way data-link system by which controllers can transmit non urgent 'strategic messages to an aircraft as an alternative to voice communications. The message is displayed on a flight deck visual display.
The signals are transmitted on the L band around 1.5 GHz from geostationary satellites. That means the signals are coming from about 40,000 km away, twice as far away as GPS satellites (20,000 km) and 100 times as far away as the international space station (400 km). Despite the large distance the signals are surprisingly easy to receive.