International Satellite Communications System
The World Area Forecast System (WAFS) and the
The Regional Main Telecommunication Network (RMTN-IV)
![ICAO LOGO](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130228122526im_/http://www.nws.noaa.gov/graphics/icaologo.gif)
The ISCS has two parts. The two systems are for meteorological data delivery. They
use the same satellites and communication protocols. The first service is the World Area
Forecast System (WAFS) in support of the International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) program for aviation data distribution. The second service is a Global
Telecommunication System (GTS) satellite data exchange system for WMO Region IV
(North America) data exchange.
The ISCS Program Manager provides additional details
and a modernization project that will use new telecommunication technology.
- The purpose of the WAFS broadcast is to make globally available
the centrally produced aviation model forecast products of a World Area Forecast Center
(WAFC) in standard gridded form (WMO GRIB code) as well as other supporting data
for flight operations to as many aviation users as possible.
- The United States supports this requirement (as a servicing WAFC) with a delivery
system called the ISCS/WAFS. The global coverage is approximately from 105 E° eastward
to 65 E° , covering the Pacific Ocean ,
Atlantic Ocean , North America, and South America. The remainder of the world coverage
is supported by the WAFC located in the United Kingdom through their satellite broadcast
system called SADIS.
SADIS covers the European, Asian, African continents and the Indian Ocean.
- These are point-to-multi-point delivery system which is an additive component
to the Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network (AFTN). This system does not,
therefore, replace the data acquisition/distribution functions of the ICAO/AFTN.
- The purpose of the GTS broadcast dissemination and data acquisition system (a two-way system), called the ISCS/RMTN-IV (see graphic depiction of area of two-way coverage), replaces the two WMO Region IV GTS regional communication networks of the Antilles Meteorological (ANMET) and Central America Meteorological (CEMET) circuitry
- This communications system increases the success of data delivery and receipt within that part of a WMO Region where past ground communications was difficult to maintain.
- This system supports WMO GTS needs for the exchange of all data types among WMO Member countries.
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