ATCoach Radar Training Simulator

Transcription

1 The ATCoach Radar Simulation product provides a complete turnkey solution for standalone En Route and Terminal simulation applications. The ATCoach Radar Training product is in use today for a variety of applications including training of new Air Traffic Controllers, refresher, skills and proficiency training of experienced Air Traffic Controllers and airspace design and evaluation. The product is in use in the training academy environment and at operational facilities fulfilling the above missions. Components of the ATCoach product have been developed for the FAA and international ANS providers such as the DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung. Key components are in use on the FAA En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) program, as part of the FAA College Training Initiative program, at all NAV CANADA En Route Centers, at the DFS Training Academy, and at En Route Centers in Germany. Key Components of the ATCoach ATSetup Application The ATSetup application provides the centralized configuration, monitor and control capabilities for the ATCoach Simulation product for the Simulator Instructors and Administrators. ATSetup presents a graphical view of the training laboratory components, both hardware and software. For the Training Instructor, ATSetup provides the ability to recall, define and modify the files that will make up the training exercise. The Instructor then configures the exercise and can control the running of one or more exercises. From the ATSetup application, a Super Pseudo Pilot application can be called up for each exercise on which the Instructor can view and interact with the exercise. For a System Administrator, the ATSetup application provides access to application status and error logs as well as key system commands such as shutdown and system re-start.

2 Figure 2. ATSetup Instructor/Administrator Position ATCoach Simulation Engine Application The ATCoach Simulation Engine is a multiprocess application that is the core of the ATCoach Simulation product. The Simulation Engine is used during runtime exercises and is integrated with the ATPrepare Data Preparation application for previewing exercises. The Simulation Engine supports modeling of aircraft, weather, radar and flight plan processing and supports the dynamic changes to aircraft from Pseudo Pilots and amendments to Flight Plans from Controller Trainees. The Simulation Engine utilizes the Eurocontrol developed BADA aircraft performance model to accurately model aircraft performance with consideration to factors such as operator preferences, weight including fuel flow, temperature, pressure and winds aloft. The Simulation Engine models aircraft tracking including areas of primary only, secondary only, combined and no surveillance coverage. This information is used by the Controller Radar Situation Display to present target and track data consistent with operational displays.

3 ATPrepare Data Preparation Application The ATPrepare application is an integrated set of tools that supports the development, modification, maintenance and preview of simulation exercises. The ATPrepare application presents graphically based menus and windows that guide and aid the user through the input of data necessary to develop simulation sites (airspaces) and simulation exercises. ATPrepare also includes the tools necessary to create, view and print Flight Strips. The ATCoach Simulation Engine is integrated with ATPrepare so that the user may preview one or more selected aircraft for an exercise graphically, or preview actual and flight plan trajectories in a tabular manner that present time/speed/altitude over fix information. Once an exercise is completed, it is exported for use by the runtime environment. The actual input files to the runtime ATCoach product are human readable ASCII files. ATPrepare also supports import of data from Jeppesen and Flight Plans as a means to build up airspace and scenario data quickly. Additional importers for customer specific data formats can be readily added. Figure 3. ATPrepare Main Navigation Tree with Route Editor

4 Figure 4. ATPrepare Flight Plan Editor and Flight Plan/Trajectory Preview The ATCoach Flight Strip Printing application is included as part of the Data Preparation environment and can also be used in the runtime exercise environment. During Data Preparation, using graphical based and menu-based editors, the user is able to specify flight strip layouts and flight strip printing rules. The user is then able to preview flight strips for an exercise and print flight strips in off-line mode. During an exercise the flight strip printing application may operate as part of a Controller Working Position configuration to print strips during the exercise. A flight strip monitoring tool is available to the Supervisor/Administrator to view and control the flight strip printers. The Flight Strip Printing application utilizes processed flight plans to determine timing and content of flight strips both during Data Preparation and runtime exercises. Figure 7. Flight Strip Layout Editor

5 Figure 8. Flight Strip Monitor ATPilot Pseudo Pilot Application The ATPilot Pseudo Pilot application combines command input, information and graphical situation data display in a single view. ATPilot is a single display Pseudo Pilot developed in part for the FAA En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) program. The application contains many of the newest input methods shared with the Display System Replacement and ERAM Controller Working Position. These include Macros, Range/Bearing Lines, Range Slider, Pop-up dialogs for entry of Heading, Altitude and Speed data. All commands required by the Pseudo Pilot are provided by pop-up dialogs in addition to an available text entry command line. The application itself is highly configurable without the need for software modifications. Figure 6. ATPilot Graphical Situation Data Display

6 ATCoach Controller Working Position Application The ATCoach Controller Working Position shares a common base with the Pseudo Pilot Graphical Situation Display. For the Controller Trainee, the application is configured to present track and flight plan data and support the associated actions. These include handoffs, point-outs, correlation and display controls. The situation display is highly configurable without the need for software updates. This includes the addition of features available for the Pseudo Pilot as well as configuration of the data block content and behavior. Figure 9. Controller Working Position

7 ATVoice Voice Recognition and Response Application ATVoice is UFA s Voice Recognition and Response product. With ATVoice, a Controller can speak clearances that are then converted by ATVoice to ATCoach simulator commands. The commands are executed and the corresponding pilot response generated. ATVoice uses the speaker independent HARK product from BBN Technologies for speech recognition and AT&T Natural Voices for textto-speech responses. The HARK product is a speaker independent technology that does not require individual user voice training. ATRadio Radio/Telephony Application The ATRadio product is a simulated radio/telelphony application that simulates the functionality of a Voice Communications System. ATRadio provides both radio and telephone connectivity between positions during a simulation exercise. The frequencies and connections are configurable as part of the ATPrepare Data Preparation tool. ATRadio also supports the ATVoice product by transmitting and receiving audio to/from ATVoice. ATRadio is a Voice over IP application and uses an independent high-speed local area network to ensure high quality audio exchange between positions. Figure 9. ATRadio Radio/Telephony Simulator Product Configuration and Operating Environment The ATCoach can be hosted on a number of hardware/operating system platforms. These include Sun SPARC with Solaris and PCs with Linux. A typical installation will consist of one ATSetup position for the Training Instructor, an ATPrepare position for Exercise Development and then one or more Controller Trainee positions with corresponding Pseudo Pilot positions. The configurations are flexible and can be expanded or changed at any time based on the available hardware.

8 UFA, INC. is a leader in ATC simulation technology. UFA provides simulation products to air traffic control organizations worldwide with installations today in: North America Europe Oceania South America Asia Africa UFA s high fidelity standalone and embedded turnkey solutions are used to support various ATC applications: Research and Development Prototyping Test and Certification Training Our full complement of ATC simulation products cover all phases of control: En Route Precision Approach Terminal Tower The company is headquartered in Boston MA, with offices in Washington, DC. UFA s wholly owned subsidiary, ATCSIM GmbH, is located in Mainz and Kaufbeuren, Germany. Our highly experienced technical staff includes individuals with ATC automation systems experience including system engineers, software engineers, Air Traffic Controllers and air traffic technicians. Additional information can be obtained and arrangements made for a demonstration by contacting one of the following: UFA, INC. 12 South Summit Avenue Suite 220 Gaithersburg, Maryland USA Mr. Rajiv J. Sood [email protected] ATCSim GmbH Bavariaring 6 D Kaufbeuren Germany Mr. André Neubert [email protected] UFA, INC. 18 Commerce Way Suite 4000 Woburn, Massachusetts USA Mr. David Wolff [email protected] ATCSim GmbH Robert-Koch-Straße 50 D Mainz Germany Mr. Axel Seitz [email protected] ATCoach is a registered trademark of UFA, INC. ATVoice is a registered trademark of UFA, INC. ATRadio is a registered trademark of UFA, INC. 2005, 2010, 2011 UFA, INC.