Designed to reduce controller work load and stress, and to improve flight safety, it results in better utilization of airspace and more efficient air traffic flow. The system incorporates advanced HMI which is an adaptation of guidelines devised by EUROCONTROL. Uninterrupted air traffic control operations are guaranteed by redundant equipment that is automatically controlled by a comprehensive System Management and Control component. In addition to the regular ATC features in ATLAS-A, the system includes an ATFM (Air Traffic Flow Management) module, which allows the controller to smooth expected air traffic loads in dense environments such as controlled sectors and airports.
System Highlights
• Advanced HMI and guideline adaptation to Eurocontrol's EATCHIP phase III HMI Catalogue
• ICAO compliant Flight Data Processing
• State-of-the-art Multi Sensor Tracker (MST)
• Automated traffic (FPL) lists
• Comprehensive "Safety Net" Sub-system
• Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) load advisory
• Decision-Support Tools
• Comprehensive System Management and Control (SYSCON)
• Support for standard and specialized system-communications formats, including Eurocontrol's ASTERIX
System Features
Advanced HMI
ATLAS-A provides an extensive track data-block including all the relevant flight data, enabling direct data entry via manipulation of various fields within it. ATLAS-A supports automatic and manual data block orientation. Control-Oriented support is provided by specific support for the controller, assistant, and coordinator. Standard ATC procedures and limitations are supported by ATLAS-A, including acceptance of aircraft, handover of flights between controllers, control volume limits, and flight control clearances. Operator-configurable FPL data tables include all the relevant flight data, replacing the traditional paper "strips." Decision support is provided via special displays and tools, including side-views, measurement tools, and sequence-of-arrival.
Flight Data Processing
The FDP in ATLAS-A automatically extracts the Flight Plans (FPLs) from the AFTN (or similar systems). These FPLs are displayed for the controller both alphanumerically (lists and tables) in a "Strip-Less" manner, and graphically, on the background map as a Pseudo Air Situation Picture (P-ASP). The system automatically correlates between the FPL and radar data (mainly using the SSR Mode A codes) and produces combined information, which is reflected in the comprehensive track data-block. Flight-plans manipulations (such as altitude assignments) are provided both via the track data block and via the FPL lists. Also, automatic extraction of additional information (NOTAM, weather) is provided.
Radar Data Processing
The RDP in ATLAS-A uses Ness proven advanced Multi-Sensor Tracker (MST). The MST performs fusion of data from all sensors and sensor types, including utilization of SSR modes A and S (for identification and tracking) as well as utilization of 3D sensors and SSR height (mode C) for 3D tracking. The MST module generates an up-to-date and accurate Air Situation Picture (ASP). It features fast automatic track initiations, very accurate system tracks, avoidance of false (or multiple) track generation, fast maneuver detection, uninterrupted and continuous tracking - even under conditions of high clutter level and discontinuous target coverage by the sensors.
"Safety Net" Component
ATLAS-A continuously monitors the ASP and generates alerts for the controlled tracks of two basic types:
• Hazard Alerts - such as proximity detection, minimum safety altitude, emergencies
• Control Oriented Alerts - such as sector related, and assigned altitude violations
The "Safety Net" component of ATLAS-A provides clear special displays, such as separation "circles" and side views, designed to support the controllers in solving the hazardous situations.
ATFM Load Advisory Capabilities
The ATFM Module in ATLAS-A is intended to smooth the predicted load for ACC controllers, generating load data based on the received and updated FPLs. The load is calculated for every point in the FPL route as well as for selected controlled sectors. Point and Sector Load is displayed as graphic histograms and in alphanumeric data forms, allowing the controller a better view of expected loads in the various points along the route. Advisories for optimal FPL changes to resolve conflict and load situations are created and clearly displayed graphically and alphanumerically. Opening of new control sectors or closing existing sectors is immediately reflected in the proposed results. The ATFM Module allows quick changes to be performed on the required FPLs by using the user-friendly HMI tools in order to smooth the expected traffic load.
System Management and Control
ATLAS-A assures high operational availability due to its advanced System Management and Control component. This provides monitoring & control of system resources and quick recovery from failures that are transparent to operators, without loss of operational information. Through the Supervisor Station, it provides the operator with the ability to define, monitor, and reconfigure the various system resources and parameters.