FREQUENTIS Tests SESAR Solution for Air Traffic Control Towers to Optimise Airport Integration and Throughput

European controllers have successfully validated the SESAR Release 4 Air Traffic Control Tower Solution. Frequentis, together with EUROCONTROL and the German air navigation service provider DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH, performed an extensive validation using the SESAR Advanced Controller Working Position (A-CWP).

The validation took place at the end of 2014 in Bretigny, France, at the EUROCONTROL Experimental Center. Over four days a group of European controllers validated the solution by running multiple simulated exercises using different traffic scenarios, witnessed by the SESAR project members as well as independent observers from different European air navigation service providers and the European Commission. Visitors were impressed by the maturity of the solution, especially concepts such as System Wide Information Management (SWIM), which uses open interfaces for information sharing among many stakeholders.

 "Flight delays are one of the biggest concerns for today's air travellers," says Hannu Juurakko, Vice President Air Traffic Management Civil at Frequentis. "As part of the European air traffic industry, Frequentis is working through SESAR on measures to reduce these delays and optimise the overall system." Frequentis provides solutions to minimise delays at airports. The A-CWP integrates various subsystems available at medium- to high-traffic airports to create a steady and optimal flow of traffic at the airport. During this validation the A-CWP comprised the Frequentis smartSTRIPS flight data handling, Frequentis smartTOOLS information display and support system, the DFS PHOENIX ATC&A-SMGCS surveillance system and the DFS PHOENIX ground and air situation display. All relevant ATM data were recorded by the Frequentis DIVOS 3 log recorder to ensure a reliable investigation. DIVOS 3 log supports next generation ED-137B compliant VoIP, 4k ‘At the Glass’ with Thruput grabber, datalink (CPDLC), radar data (ASTERIX) and generic IP data recording.

Hannu Juurakko says: “SESAR is a great step forward in bringing advanced technology to bear in the European airspace system. We’re leveraging our heritage in advanced communication, information management and tower automation solutions to help improve airspace system performance. The solutions are prepared for roll-outs as called for by the ICAO Aviation Block System Upgrades (ASBU) and the European Pilot Common Project (PCP).”