Systems and methods for integration of ip-based data link management in existing avionics architectures

A method for selecting a data link for a communications message, comprising:

• receiving an indication at a data link manager that the communications message is ready to be transmitted;
• determining a communications criteria of the communications message, wherein the communications criteria is based on an applications and routing policy that indicates whether the communications message can be sent over an internet protocol data link;
• and
• selecting a data link from a set of legacy air-ground data links and a set of internet protocol based air-ground data links based on the communications criteria.

A communication system, comprising:

• a communications manager unit that includes a legacy router, an internet protocol router, an applications and routing policy that provides criteria for the selection of a data link for a communication message, and a data link manager;
• wherein the data link manager selects the data link from among a set of legacy data links and a set of internet protocol data links based on the applications and routing policy;
• at least one legacy aeronautical radio coupled to the legacy router and configured to provide at least one of the set of legacy data links;
• and
• broadband service equipment coupled to the internet protocol router and configured to provide at least one of the set of internet protocol data links.