Research on the security of communication addressing and reporting system of civil aircraft

Abstract

ACARS is a digital data link system that transmits short messages by radio or satellite between aircraft and ground stations. ACARS control centre is connected with each ACARS ground station and each airline information centre through the ground communication network. Exchange data and information with airlines in both directions through code addressing. However, because ACARS messages use plaintext transmission, anyone can monitor and decode ACARS messages with a low-cost receiver and obtain details such as aircraft type, location, planned route, passenger status and aircraft operation state, etc., thus posing a major threat to flight safety. The following security problems exist in the current ACARS system.