ATC Global 2012: DFS presents new solutions

This solution makes it possible to detect and display problems in connection with Mode S target acquisition. MICCA fulfils the requirements of the European Commission concerning the identification of interrogator code conflicts laid down in Article 7 of Regulation 262/2009. In addition, DFS will be presenting inhouse developments such as the meteorological data display system METFROG and the DFS training simulators with new functionalities.

The DFS application MICCA detects incorrect, delayed and missing mode S target acquisitions which occur, for example, in connection with interrogator code conflicts. Such conflicts arise when two Mode S sensors with overlapping coverage areas use the same interrogator code for data interrogation. As a consequence, aircraft might not be detected by at least one of the Mode S systems in the overlapping area.

To identify target acquisition problems, the application continually processes the live radar data from up to 32 Mode S radar stations. Firstly, MICCA analyses the position where a Mode S target is detected for the first time. A target acquisition problem exists, when an aircraft is not detected immediately upon entering the relevant coverage area by a radar station and is thus delayed. Secondly, the application checks whether aircraft are not detected by one of the radar stations in the overlapping coverage area of several sensors. If the number of target acquisition problems of a radar station exceeds a predetermined threshold value within a fixed time window, MICCA will generate both optical and acoustic alert signals.

The graphical software Gnuplot used for MICCA makes it possible to generate a real-time display of target acquisition problems. It is possible, for example, to display the number of target acquisition problems for each sensor on a time axis. In addition, it is possible to display the exact positions of delayed or missing target acquisitions by the different radar stations. In this way, system monitoring can simultaneously overview the number of events of all radar stations, and can quickly identify affected sensors, analyse target acquisition problems and initiate countermeasures.

In addition, DFS will be presenting inhouse solutions with new functionalities at its stand. The weather data display system METFROG can display current, future and past weather situations, together with information tailored to the relevant controller working position such as sector boundaries. The display of the stored weather data supports, among other things, the analysis of meteorological conditions in connection with incident investigations.

On the DFS training simulators for en-route, approach and aerodrome control, it is now possible to control exercises from outside via a tablet. In this way, the training supervisor can directly monitor the controllers during the exercises and intervene in the training scenario as required.

The DFS stand also hosts the ATM system "SkyManager" developed together with Skysoft-ATM and SITA as well as the satellite-based tracking system "spidertracks". Meanwhile, DFS is officially responsible for the sale of "spidertracks" in Europe.

Visitors can also learn more about the satellite-based precision approach system GBAS (Ground-based Augmentation System) which has received the German type certification as a primary landing system from the Federal Supervisory Authority for Air Navigation Services (BAF) this month. At Bremen airport, DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung will be the first air navigation service provider in the world to operate GBAS for CAT I precision approaches for regular air services.