R&S VCS-4G successfully passes acceptance test at ROMATSA facilities in Constanta

Rohde & Schwarz has successfully completed site acceptance testing (SAT) for its fully IP-based R&S VCS-4G voice communications system at ROMATSA tower and approach installations in Constanta, Romania.

Munich, June 17, 2015 - As both civilian and military air traffic in Constanta area have gradually increased over the past few years, a new voice communications system (VCS) was needed to replace the existing legacy platform. Key requirements for the new system were fully IP-based voice communications in line with EUROCAE ED-137B standard, flexible role handling/selection mechanisms and improved re-/sectorization mechanisms.

The requirement specifications defined by ROMATSA, the air navigation service provider in Romania, for an advanced VoIP VCS were successfully implemented by the engineers of the Romanian Rohde & Schwarz subsidiary, Rohde & Schwarz Topex. A customized solution meeting both the technical and operational requirements was found that not only provides the standard R&S VCS-4G features but is also designed to allow the integration of future data applications integration due to the system's open architecture and the implementation of standard interfaces. With this fully IP-based R&S VCS-4G system for the ROMATSA approach and tower installations in Constanta, Rohde & Schwarz has delivered several systems with a total number of more than 90 controller working positions to Romania. ROMATSA once more affirmed its long lasting collaboration with Rohde & Schwarz Topex as strategic partner for advanced, flexible and reliable, fully IP-based voice communications systems.

Mr. Nita Stefan, ROMATSA Technical Director, stated: "With an all-IP solution from the controller working position to the radio, ROMATSA is one step closer to fulfilling the SESAR COM11 objectives for APP, based on the positive experience we have made with the advanced, high performance VCS from Rohde & Schwarz over the past seven years. In the years to come, we will gradually replace legacy TDM infrastructure with fully IP-based VCS solutions."

Voice over IP in line with EUROCAE ED-137 has established itself as the communications technology of choice for ATC. The R&S VCS-4G uses a redundant design with numerous interfaces to external systems such as voice recording equipment and telephone lines. Due to its unique architecture, the system is highly scalable and can be easily expanded without replacing existing equipment. R&S VCS-4G has been designed to meet next-generation ATC requirements such as asset sharing, facility consolidation, geographical distribution, virtual center and remote tower, thereby providing effective support for the efficiency and safety objectives relevant in global aviation.