Ifield Computer Consultancy - Air Traffic Control Display Systems and Digital ATC Display Extender

Ifield Computer Consultancy Ltd (ICC) has worked within the Air Traffic Control (ATC) industry for more than 14 years, offering support for core front-end and back-office systems, managing key aspects of ATC applications and systems, hardware and operating systems. Specific capabilities include ATC application development, ATC application management, IT strategy, IT security, project management, database management and business continuity services.

The company's ATRAK suite of information display processing systems for ATC applications delivers an integral component of the air traffic / planning controller's role in safe, effective air traffic management.

ATRAK-IMS (INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM) FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL PLANNING

ATRAK-IMS is designed to provide a comprehensive range of information to the air traffic planning controller in real-time. For Approach (APP) and Tower (TWR) applications, the system provides information on: arrival / departure rules; barometric pressure for airports; terminal area information on aerodromes; local traffic and movement areas; static information; NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) / SNOWTAMs (Snow Warning To Airmen); special directives VIP flight information; restricted air space; runway co-ordination and use; airport lighting status; weather conditions; APP emergency information and times of sunrise / sunset.

For Area Control Centre (ACC) applications, the system delivers static information, NOTAMs / SNOWTAMs / Meteo data, sunrise / sunset times and FIR (Flight Information Region) information and emergency procedures. It provides a search engine for ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) / IATA (International Air Transport Association) information. The dedicated information screen includes details on senior controller, watch supervisor, military sites, prohibited and restricted areas and the status of military co-ordinated flights.

ATRAK-BYPASS / PC SYSTEM - AIR TRAFFIC RADAR BYPASS AND PLANNING CONTROL SYSTEM

This is a Controller Working Position (CWP) display system that also provides a limited processing capability of radar and flight plan data and weather information. The ATRAK-Bypass / PC system can be used as:

• A stand-alone system providing back-up air situation display functions, as well as flight data presentation, in the event of a failure of the main ATC system
• An integrated part of the third-party ATC system providing air situation and flight data display functions
• A stand-alone or integrated TWR flight data display

Due to its open architecture and use of standard software and middleware (ODS Toolbox), the system is designed to be flexible and can be integrated into other ATC systems.

The ATRAK-PC Planning Control display presents radar track data from radar feeds, flight plan data from FDP systems, radar weather information and data from airport weather systems. An air situation bypass system provides air situation display functions in case of a main system failure, and provides tower flight data display functions.

The ATRAK-Bypass / PC suite comprises four key elements: radar and flight data processing, weather processing, air situation display and system supervision.

ATC DESKTENDER (DIGITAL EXTENDER)

Provides the facility to centralise and secure an ATC workstation with the user display located remotely at distances up to 800m. The Desktender supports displays with resolutions up to 2,500 pixels × 2,000 pixels and is connected by fibre or copper cabling. The expandable Desktender supports USB, PS/2 and most multimedia devices and includes a second PCI slot offering the ability to add support for other PCI cards, SCSI, firewire, multiple serial ports and multiple monitors.

RECENT AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROJECTS

Developed in association with the Air Navigation Services of the Czech Republic (ANS CR), the ATRAK-IMS and ATRAK-Bypass / PC systems are currently installed in the Prague ACC, APP and TWR operations rooms.

ICC has developed a number of strategic projects for the Air Navigation Services of the Czech Republic over the past 12 years. ICC provides ongoing consultancy, support, systems development and managed services, ensuring that mission-critical ATC functions operate at absolute peak performance.