FREQUENTIS Voice Recording Solutions Ensure Germany’s Area Control Centres are Ready for the Future

The long-term partnership between high-tech firm Frequentis and DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH has driven many innovations over the past three decades. One example is the latest release (3.2) of the fully-virtual Frequentis DIVOS 3 log voice recording system, developed with significant input from DFS on the required specifications.

The DIVOS platform already operates at DFS's Langen and Munich ACCs. Signed in December 2014, the latest contract from this German ANSP will see Frequentis install two new DIVOS 3 log solutions at the Bremen and Karlsruhe ACCs in time for full operation in early 2016. All German ACCs will then be using this state-of-the-art voice recording system. The order also includes a new maintenance contract for the DIVOS system in Langen.

“The virtual DIVOS approach has proven to be successful in Langen and Munich, therefore the next step will be to implement the system in Karlsruhe and Bremen”, says Timo Mötz, Product Manager Voice Recording at DFS.

The DIVOS system uses a ground-breaking virtual platform deployed on blade servers with a redundant storage system. “The virtualised deployment on blade server technology reduces the cabinet space by 70% compared to conventional recorder hardware”, notes Mötz.

The Bremen and Karlsruhe systems will feature around 1,400 and 1,250 duplicated channels respectively, bringing the total across the four ACCs to over 10,000. The huge volume of available channels and multimedia synchronous playback facilities ensure the very best resource for analysis, investigation and operator training. Cost benefits also arise from support for centralised administration, maintenance, monitoring and investigation for all four recording systems.

Frequentis is leading the way in VoIP-based “at the glass” and “through the wall” recording in compliance with EUROCAE's ED-137 standards. The approach taken with the latest DIVOS release combines a field-proven system with the flexibility to integrate a huge range of current and future data sources.

“With the latest DIVOS release, DFS and Frequentis are opening a new era of integrated documentation of ATM communications – one which will have long-term benefits for accountability, training, efficiency and safety in ATM”, notes Gerald Schönbacher, Product Business Manager of DIVOS at Frequentis AG. “The success is testament to the quality of the cooperation and know-how exchange between our two organisations.”