A3P: Advanced Airspace Availability Protocol for Dynamic and Trusted Drone Operations in Smart Cities

• Andre Elias Melo ITA / DECEA-FAB
• Flavio Luiz dos Santos de Souza ITA / LiU / IFSP
• Rafael Hickmann Albarello ITA / DECEA-FAB
• Rodrigo Sergio dos Santos Nunes ITA
• Andrei Gurtov LiU
• Carlo Henrique Ribeiro ITA
• Cesar Marcondes ITA
• Lourenço Alves Pereira Junior ITA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5753/sbseg_estendido.2025.12820

Abstract

A3P is a protocol designed to address the challenge of disseminating dynamically changing information about available airspace portions to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). It proposes a secure, low-latency, and scalable approach using direct wireless broadcast and distributed systems. A3P introduces Airspace Status Beacons, signed messages compatible with DRIP and ASTM standards. The protocol incorporates cryptographic trust frameworks, federated sensor validation, and resilience-enhancing mechanisms. A3P is being developed and evaluated by an international working group involving academia and industry to contribute to standardization and regulatory discussions.

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