ATC automation: facts and steps ahead

ATC automation: facts and steps ahead

Objectives Context Stating the problem Current solution Steps ahead Implementation constraints ATC automation: facts and steps ahead

Objectives Understand why ATC automation is needed Seek relationship Operational Needs System Implementation Know limitations to increased automation Learn current functionalities and implementation Envisage automation steps ahead

Context Current ATC systems running operational Current technologies Coming implementations Valid operational solutions now Short-medium term

Control functions ATC system mission System support to ATC From needs to operations CNS context ATM context Interoperability Other users Surface aspects stating the problem

Control functions Stating the problem The Air Traffic Controller is responsible for: 1. Keeping traffic separated 2. Maintaining traffic flowing smoothly Some numbers: ~ 6.000 controlled flights per day in Spanish airspace ~ 25.000 controlled flights per day in European airspace ~ 40.000 controlled flights per day in the USA Take a look! WorldAirTraffic0-24h.wmv

ATC system mission Stating the problem Allow the Air Traffic Controller to manage given traffic Means 1. Automating repetitive and time consuming tasks 2. Increasing largely the data processing capability 3. Allowing the ATCO to concentrate in important tasks 4.Reducing workload ATM Objective 5. Increasing ATM system capacity

System support to ATC Stating the problem The Air Traffic Control system supports the ATCO in control functions by: Displaying updated aircraft position and speed Showing relevant flight data Monitoring conformance between real and planned positions of aircraft Displaying conflict alerts Helping decision-making Showing MET/AIS information

From needs to operations Stating the problem From needs (before implementing) 1. Which is the need? Manage a certain traffic volume 2. How to handle that traffic? Describe Operational Concept 3. Which is the available technology? CNS/ATM state-of-the-art To operations (after implementing) 1. Is the ATC system operationally valid? 2. Is the need satisfied? The answer should be YES

CNS context Stating the problem CNS infrastructure deployed in each country Communications Operational need for Air-Ground communications coverage in defined airspace Ground-Ground communications supporting interoperability Navigation Navigation aids to make possible defined operations Surveillance Operational need to maintain traffic separated

ATM context Many stakeholders running many different systems Stating the problem Lack of flight data coherence Systems at Eurocontrol Central Flow Management Unit, Brussels/Paris Aircraft Operators On board Flight Management Systems (FMS) Initial Flight Plan Processing System (IFPS) Enhanced Tactical Flow Management System (ETFMS) Military Air Traffic Control & Air Defence Units Airport Operators Air Traffic Service Unit (ATSU) Flight Data Processing Systems (about 60 in Europe) ATSU xn ATSU Solutions: 1. All ATM actors use the same system 2. Increase interoperability

Interoperability Stating the problem Flight plan data coherence is required for safe and efficient operations To achieve interoperability: Exchange / share flight plan data at proper time Systems need to understand each other Need for communications protocols and standards Need for Regulation? Seamless operations throughout country borders

Other users Stating the problem Not controlled traffic but sharing airspace: 1. VFRs 2. Military 3. UAVs

Surface aspects Stating the problem Specific characteristics for TWR control: Different surface areas Different types of mobiles Different responsibilities and skills Surface operations and capacity are very impacted by visibility

Classical functionalities Advanced functionalities current solution

Classical functionalities Current solution Radar Data Processing Flight Data Processing MET/AIS Data Processing Safety Nets Display Monitoring and Control Recording and Replay Voice Com. System

Classical functionalities - Radar Data Processing Current solution Radar Data Processing Radar Data Acquisition Radar Data Filtering and Preprocessing Data Error Correction Mono-radar Tracking Multi-radar Tracking Tracks Distribution Air Track-FP Correlation Conformance Monitoring

Classical functionalities Flight Data Processing Current solution Flight Data Processing Initial Flight Plan Processing Message Verification System Flight Plan Processing Flight Data Distribution ATC Tactical Constraints SSR Code Management Trajectory Prediction Manual Flight Plan Data Management Coordination and Transfers with Adjacent ATS Units

Classical functionalities MET/AIS Data Processing Current solution MET/AIS Data Processing Meteorological Messages Management Integrated Meteorological System (IMS) Information Management QNH Information Management NOTAM Information Management Special Area Management ATIS Message Management

Classical functionalities Safety Nets Current solution Safety Nets Short Term Conflict Alert (STCA) Minimum Safe Altitude Warning (MSAW) Area Proximity Warning (APW)

Classical functionalities Display Current solution Display Data Presentation and Input HMI Functional Configurability Data Organization and Access Input Optimization Traffic Situation Presentation Flight Plan Management and Display Maps Weather Graphical Tools Flight Lists Display Control

Classical functionalities Monitoring and Control Current solution Monitoring and Control Operational monitoring and Control Control Working Position Configuration Sectorization Sensor Operational monitoring Technical monitoring and Control Subsystem monitoring Processor monitoring Process monitoring Device monitoring Links to external systems monitoring Sensor Operational monitoring Management of data recording and distribution

Classical functionalities Recording and Replay Current solution Recording and Replay Recording Replay

Classical functionalities Voice Communications System Current solution Voice Communications System Air-Ground Communications Radio Select / Deselect channels (frequencies) Audio reception Audio transmission User facilities Ground-Ground Communications Telephony Basic telephone service Instantaneous access service (IA) Direct access service (DA) Indirect access service (IDA) Telephone user facilities

Advanced functionalities Current solution Surveillance Data Processing New Surveillance mechanisms: MLAT, WAM, Mode S, ADS-B, ADS-C, CPDLC Flight Data Processing Tactical trajectories Enhanced coordination&transfer mechanisms ATC Tools MTCD, What-If, CORA AMAN, DMAN, SMAN, EMAN A-SMGCS Surveillance: SMR, MLAT Control and Alert: Runway incursion alerts

Future functionalities CNS infrastructure steps ahead

Future functionalities Steps ahead More precise Trajectory Calculation to support direct and free routing AMAN, DMAN, SMAN and EMAN integration More integrated HMI supporting precise tactical constraints and clearance Dynamic sectorization Dynamic Flow-Capacity Balancing Tools (delegating separation to aircraft) Separation based on type of traffic Enhance short-term weather forecasts Data sharing A-SMGCS: surface surveillance, control and guidance in low visibility condition

CNS infrastructure Communications Air-Ground Data Link VDL2 Digital Air-Ground voice Air-Air Data Link Airport Datalink Steps ahead Navigation Multiconstellation GNSS ABAS / INS ABAS / A-RAIM GBAS Cat 1 Surveillance ADS-B In/Out 1090 (260) to support ATSAW, ITP ADS-B 1090 in/out (260A) to support full spacing e.g. S&M ADS-B 1090 in/out (260A+) to support initial separation GBAS Cat 2-3 initial, GPS L1 based GBAS Cat 2-3 universal, Galilleo and GPS L5 based New ADS-B link Independent Non-cooperative Surveillance (MSPSR) Ground Wake vortex radar Ground weather radar (next generation) Low Power SSR Transponder (LPST)

Investment justification Deployment aspects implementation constraints

Investment justification Implementation constraints TRAFFIC FORECAST Year Total Movements Growth Rates 2009 345.000 8,6% 2010 380.000 6,3% 2015 516.000 6,7% 2020 712.000 4,6% 2025 893.000 3,5% 2035 1.257.000 4,9% INVESTMENT Short term Medium term Long term TOTAL (2011-2013) (2014-2020) (2021-2030) COM 3.590.000 12.300.000 11.850.000 27.740.000 NAV 2.155.000 15.535.000 9.625.000 27.315.000 SUR 16.650.000 26.200.000 41.120.000 83.970.000 ATC 3.650.000 56.750.000 23.250.000 83.650.000 TOTAL 26.045.000 110.785.000 85.845.000 222.675.000

Deployment aspects Implementation constraints Choose between enhancing current ATC systems and deploy new systems New system for all type of ATSUs? Phased deployment for En-Route, TMA/APP and TWRs: time needed for large deployment: operations, execution and investment CNS infrastructure modernization plan must be in accordance with ATC systems modernization plan: one single plan Some implementations imply large coordination and agreement with partners: adjacent centres, Military, Regional ANSPs. Transition operational aspects are very important and have to be coordinated!

Strong link Operational needs Technical solutions ATC systems as enablers for increasing ATM capacity High dependency between ATC systems and CNS infrastructure Interoperability is a problem to solve Existence of not controlled traffic Investment has to be justified by expected return Consider deployment as well! ideas to think about

Questions?