WATMC 2018: Rohde & Schwarz showcases its comprehensive portfolio for innovative air traffic management

Rohde & Schwarz is the only supplier to provide fully integrated ATC communications solutions from the controller working position to the antenna from a single source. As airspace becomes more crowded, there is an increased demand for load-based reallocation of resources while ensuring efficient and sustainable ATC in line with the highest safety standards. The fully IP-based Rohde & Schwarz voice communications system R&S VCS-4G enables efficient and failsafe operation by establishing so-called virtual control centers. The British air navigation service provider (ANSP) NATS has chosen Rohde & Schwarz with its R&S VCS-4G for its second voice system to ensure reliable ATC communications in UK airspace. Within the framework of the Single European Sky (SES) initiative, NATS will modernize its entire air traffic management (ATM) infrastructure over the next few years. As part of this modernization, ATC communications will be converted from TDM-based systems to VoIP. In November 2017, NATS even presented Rohde & Schwarz with the Supplier of the Year Award.

ATC and air traffic management (ATM) networks are undergoing a massive transformation towards IP. At the same time, the global cyber threat landscape has become highly dynamic. Rohde & Schwarz will present at WATMC 2018 how ANSPs and airport authorities can secure their IP infrastructure by adopting a threefold approach of detection, analysis and protection. To this end, cutting-edge solutions such as strong encryption of leased lines, deep packet inspection and application whitelisting can easily be integrated in existing networks.

Furthermore, at WATMC 2018 Rohde & Schwarz will launch its latest direction finding (DF) system for ATC applications. The new R&S DF-ATC-S enhances controllers’ situational awareness and offers a bundle of state-of-the-art-features from a single source. It simultaneously monitors up to 28 VHF airband channels and four out-of-band UHF channels, with equally high accuracy and measurement speed. Four standard configurations are available to meet the scalable requirements of airports and control centers in order to enhance call-sign clarity. 

The company will also showcase its software defined radios for safe ground-air ATC communications. Benefits for operators include the R&S Series4200 radios’ detection of simultaneous transmissions (DSiT), which prevents dangerous situations caused by misunderstandings between air traffic controllers and pilots. 

The expertise of Rohde & Schwarz in the field of air traffic management is supplemented by its electromagnetic interference hunting solutions and its cutting-edge test and measurement equipment for terrestrial air navigation. Terrestrial navigation systems are subject to regular inspection and maintenance in the field. For these measurements, Rohde & Schwarz offers complete lab-quality measurement solutions in portable, lightweight, weather-protected, battery-powered form factors.

At World ATM Congress in Madrid from March 6 to 8, 2018, Rohde & Schwarz will showcase its comprehensive portfolio of state-of-the-art air traffic management solutions at booth 586 in hall 10. For more information, visit https://atc.rohde-schwarz.com. A Rohde & Schwarz presentation on “Reliable protection of ATM networks against cyberthreats – lessons learned from railway, energy and IoT” will be held at the Aireon Spotlight Stage on March 07, 2018, at 12 noon.