History of Terminal Automation Preview Automation is

History of Terminal Automation

Preview Automation is the description for computer processors used to identify aircraft, predict flight paths and altitude, and notify air traffic controllers of developing dangerous situations. Terminal Automation is the term used to describe the processors used in the controlling of airspace surrounding airports where flights originate or terminate. Page 2 -1

Overview and Job Relevance In this lesson you will cover the history and evolution of Automation in controlling Air Traffic, specifically in the terminal area. This history will give you an understanding of why there is a need for Terminal Automation and how it has made control of air traffic safer and more efficient. Page 2 -1

Objective Using all classroom notes, handouts, and documentation, the student will identify significant historical events and developments in the evolution of Automation in accordance with this student guide. Page 2 -1

Lecture 2 • Impact of Automation • • Page 2 -1 A Brief History Lesson The Need for Air Traffic Control • Wright Brothers in 1903 • VFR • Terminal Congestion

Lecture 2 • The First Controller • • Figure 2 -1 Page 2 -2 Archie William League Flags (Green & Red) Mixed Communication Multiple Pilots in view

Lecture 2 • Light Guns • • • P/O Table 2 -1 Page 2 -2 Still Used No Radios Weather Drawbacks

Lecture 2 • Table 2 -1 Page 2 -2 Light Guns (Continued)

Lecture 2 • Two-Way Radios • • Page 2 -3 More Effective Still Expensive Direct Contact with Pilots Airborne Navigation Devices

Lecture 2 • Maps and “Shrimp Boats” • • Figure 2 -2 Page 2 -4 En Route and Terrain Maps Brass Markers Flight Strips Attached More Controllers Needed

Lecture 2 • From Maps to Radars • • Figure 2 -3 Page 2 -5 Radio Detection And Ranging Developed for Air Defense The Radar “blip” Plastic “Shrimp Boats” used

Lecture 2 Controllers Using “Shrimp Boats” Figure 2 -4 Page 2 -6

Lecture 2 • IFF • • • Page 2 -6 Identification Friend or Foe Interrogator Transponder Challenge Pulse Reply “Friendly” Radar “Blip”

Lecture 2 • ATCRBS • • • Table 2 -2 Page 2 -7 Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System Principles of IFF Six Modes of Interrogation Octal Based System (4096 codes) Beacon Decoder

Lecture 2 • • IDENT • • Special Identification Pulse Double-Width Beacon Slash Emergency • Aural Alarm Box • 77 XX Codes • “Double Bloomer” • ATCRBS Drawbacks • Controller maintains Positive Identification and Separation Page 2 -8

Lecture 2 Secondary Radar System Figure 2 -5 Page 2 -9

Lecture 2 • TPX-42 • • Direct Altitude and Identity Readout Numeric Representation Beacon Decoder/Filter Additional Features • Shrinking Circles • Trail Dots • Altitude Encoding • Mode C • Hundreds of Feet Page 2 -10

Lecture 2 • Modifications and Upgrades • • Page 2 -11 Semi-computer Expensive 980 B (Low Altitude Alerting System) Programmable Indicator Data Processor

Lecture 2 • ARTS I • • • Advanced Radar Traffic Control System Atlanta 1964 Univac 1218 Beacon Tracking Level The Software • Alpha-Numeric “Tagged” • Data Blocks • Controller Position Symbol • Display • Identity and Altitude • Manual Altitude Inserting Page 2 -12

Lecture 2 • Flight Plans • • Scheduling Flight Data Input/Output Arrival/Departure List ARTS IA • New York TRACON • Additional Memory and Peripherals Page 2 -12

Lecture 2 ARTS I at Atlanta Figure 2 -7 Page 2 -13

Lecture 2 • ARTS III • • Page 2 -14 60 Medium to Large Sites 1969 Contract for BTL 1973 All Operational Design • Based on ARTS I & IA • Hardware and Software Modularity • Sites individually tailored • Easily Modified and Upgraded

Lecture 2 • ARTS IIIA • • Page 2 -14 1976 Enhancement 29 Sites Radar and Beacon Tracking Level Features • Conflict Alerting • Minimum Safe Altitude Warning

Lecture 2 • New York TRACON ARTS IIIA • • Page 2 -15 Highest traffic volume Maxed out ARTS IIIA resources Hardware Replaced with VME Current Use • Still Operating (STARS? )

Lecture 2 • ARTS II • • • III too expensive TPX-42 interim 1974 contract for Burroughs/Unisys All installed by 1978 Features • BTL System • Simple Design, low maintenance • Routine Programming • ARTS IIA • Faster Processor more Memory • 256 Tracks with CA and MSAW Page 2 -16

Lecture 2 ATC on FDAD Figure 2 -9 Page 2 -17

Lecture 2 • En Route ARTS • Special Terminal Environments • • Page 2 -18 Purpose • Center Design • Plan View Displays Operation • Up to Five different Radars • Radar Mosaic

Lecture 2 • Differences • • • Page 2 -18 Mosaic Plan View Displays Micro-En Route ARTS • Replaced IOPs • COTS Hardware • Combined En Route and Terminal

Lecture 2 Controller using PVD with EARTS Figure 2 -10 Page 2 -19

Lecture 2 • ARTS IIIE • • • Page 2 -20 Evolution of ARTS IIIA COTS and Ethernet LANs New York TRACON • First IIIE Site • Incrementally Developed • 1986 -1989 Time Frame

Lecture 2 • Design • • Page 2 -20 Functionally Distributed 3400 Tracks and 6 Sensors Fail Safe/Fail Soft Testing • No downtime to Operation • System Performance very Strong • Installed at Large TRACONS

Lecture 2 Controller using an ACD with ARTS IIIE Page 2 -21

Lecture 2 • Common ARTS • • Latest ARTS generation Integrates ARTS IIA and IIIE Software Baseline Design • Uses COTS Hardware • Existing Displays & External Interfaces • Open Technology Page 2 -22

Lecture 2 • Computer Software • • American National Standards Institute C Code User Datagram Protocol/Internet Protocol Inter-Computer CSCI Communications ARTS IIE Configuration • TP, CP, and SMC into the SP • Display Network Interface Processor • Dual Sensor and Large Single Sensor • Two System Processors Page 2 -22

Lecture 2 Air Traffic Control Tower Simulation Page 2 -23

Lecture 2 • STARS • • Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System FAA and DOD joint venture 172 FAA Sites and 199 DOD Sites Purpose • Provides Air Traffic Control Services • Display • 20 x 20 Color Display • Windows and Graphics Page 2 -24

Lecture 2 • Workstations • • • Standard Processors COTS Procurable and Upgradeable Transition • ARTS Backrooms • Full transition after Controller Comfort • Along with technician training Page 2 -24

Lecture 2 STARS at El Paso, Texas Page 2 -25

Lecture 2 Review Questions 1. The alarm generated for predicted aircraft collisions is Conflict Alert ______. 2. What system series is commonly found at high activity airports ARTS IIIA ______. Automated 3. ARTS is currently an acronym for the _______ Radar Terminal System _____________. Standard 4. STARS is an acronym for the ____________________. Terminal Automation Replacement System Page 2 -26