Si ATMSys

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- one of the most advanced ATM systems

Si ATMSys supports Air Traffic Control operations for En-route (ACC), Approach (APP) and Tower (TWR) control. Si ATMSys was launched for operational use 1999 and has been incrementally upgraded with functionality in conformity with the European Convergence Implementation Plan, ECIP.

Si ATMSys has been designed for and proven to be

  • flexible and configurable for most sizes of ATC systems
  • easily expandable in size and functionality,
  • redundant in hardware and software
  • cost effective life-cycle

Overview of functionality

  • Radar data processing with true multi radar tracking
  • Reception of wide area multilateration data for fusion with radar data
  • Reception of ADS data for fusion with radar data
  • Fully automatic flightplan data processing with route analysis and advanced trajectory prediction
  • Extended AFTN handling including queue handling, archiving and automatic or manual sending of messages
  • Paperless and stripless controller HMI
  • On Line Data Interchange, OLDI including queue handling
  • Recording and playback
  • System monitoring and control
  • Technically advanced fault tolerant solutions built upon several levels of redundancy
  • Radar bypass processing to handle emergency situations
  • Safety nets, with STCA, MSAW and APW
  • Monitoring aids with conformance monitoring and reminder handling
  • Medium term conflict detection
  • Integration with A-SMGCS systems
  • Provision of departure clearance delivery by means of data link
  • Strip printing functions on request

Flight plan data management

Flight Data Assistants have an efficient HMI to support editing, browsing, queue handling with support for complex search criteria.

Handling of RPLs

RPLs can be searched, created, modified and deleted manually, but also automatically based on airline time schedules on data media. Temporary changes and suspensions of flights are supported.

Handling of FPLs

FPLs are normally created automatically from RPLs or received from AFTN. They can also be searched, created, modified and deleted manually. Received AFTN and OLDI messages are processed and checked automatically and produce updates of concerned FPLs. Billing data is automatically submitted to external systems at FPL termination.

Route analysis

For RPLs and FPLs both, route details are examined against the local airspace structure for compliance with ICAO rules. The airspace structure is defined by means of system parameters.

Data Preparation handling

The system is easily adaptable to any operational environment by means of extensive use of system parameters.

ATC functions

Controller HMI

Controller interaction with flights is performed through extensive use of lists and flight labels.

Trajectory calculation

A trajectory describing the flight’s path in airspace is calculated with consideration to aircraft performance characteristics and current weather data. Wherever applicable, SID or STAR are selected automatically. The trajectory’s coverage of  ATC sectors determines the distribution of flight data to working positions.

Surveillance data processing

Target data from PSR and SSR radar stations, Multi-lateration data and ADS data are processed by means of an advanced centralised true multi-sensor tracker. The resulting system tracks are associated with FPLs. Flight labels comprising surveillance and flight plan information are presented to controllers.

ATC tools

The following ATC tools are available: Monitoring aids, Medium-Term Conflict Detection, Short-Term Conflict Alert, Minimum Safe Altitude Warning and Area Proximity Warning. They have been developed strictly in accordance with Eurocontrol specifications.

AIS data

AIS data is received, processed, stored and presented to controllers.

ADS, CPDLC

Pre Departure Clearance, PDC is implemented by using a datachannel between the ATC centre and the Aircraft. Other CPDLC related functions are supported.

Recording and Playback

Data is continuously recorded. At playback, operational scenarios are recreated at a controller work position.

System Monitoring and Control

System Monitoring and Control is performed by means of graphical presentation and tools for diagnostics and configuration control. Parameter changes can be made without interrupting operational use.

Event Analysis

Event analysis provides tools for technical analysis, traffic analysis, statistics and prognosis.

Strip printing

Strip printing is available on request.

Controlling Functions

  • The Human Machine Interface of controlling functions is window driven and suitable for one or two monitor configuration. It adapts to the latest recommendations of Eurocontrol concerning stripless HMI with extensive use of label and list interaction. Main operational features:
  • The functionality supports ACC, APP and TWR operations
  • Flight data are presented, and operator interaction is performed, in labels and lists. Only the  required data is presented. Additional data are easy to retrieve.
  • The labels and lists are specially designed for a stripless environment.
  • Each flight is dynamically updated based on controller input of clearances/instructions. Input facilities are available in any of a flight’s HMI objects.
  • Various functions for silent coordination are available including coordinations between TWR and APP.
  • Coordination with adjacent centres is performed by means of OLDI.
  • The handling of the operational configuration is decentralised and flexible. It supports on-line redefinition of sector status.

Technical Features

Modern open system architecture

Commercial hardware

  • UNIX workstations
  • Fault-tolerant servers
  • Redundant LAN

Standard protocols are used and the application software is in C, C++ and ADA

Unix operating system

  • Platform independant, AIX, LINUX
  • X Windows / MOTIF

Working position equipment

  • Working positions with dual or single displays, selectable in size and resolution
  • High-intensity TWR monitor
  • Standard keyboard and mouse

General Design aspects

  • Client/server concept
  • C and C++
  • Distributed processing
  • Fault-tolerant and/or redundant hardware
  • Fault-tolerant software
  • Functional blocks basically  according to OASIS (Open ATM System Integration Strategy) by EATCHIP
  • Non-dedicated workstations

System Redundancy Concept

Mitigation of system errors and a high level of maintainability are achieved on three levels:

1.  Hardware redundancy on server level and communication system level

a. Fault tolerant servers, i.e. all computer components are duplicated and can be changed without losing functionality at any time. Hence “up-time” is extremely high.

b. Servers and IO hardware are duplicated, see point 2. below.

c. Redundant LAN configuration, viz. all network parts are duplicated, including NICs in the individual computers.

2.  Functional redundancy on the system level, i.e. the active server block (including IO units) can switch to the data-aligned stand-by server block whereas the controllers can continue to work “where they were” before the switch took place.
This concept can be used when changing hardware, software releases and parameters without interrupting operational use.

3.  The last level of redundancy is the Radar Bypass System with its own radar input channels and less functionality.