SubscribeThe ever increasing air traffic does not only produce a larger amount of aeronautical data, but also an augmenting demand to access and retrieve at any time current data from any place in the world.
However, easy data access must not reduce safety or heighten costs. An Aeronautical Information System (AIS) therefore, on the one hand, must fulfil the highest safety standards and be resistant to abuse and intruders, and, on the other hand, must provide comprehensive features to facilitate the ANSP staff's routine work; supporting features can be:
- Direct data access for airlines and pilots via the internet and other networks as a cost-effective service, requiring little staff. Integrated Pilot Briefing, for instance, following the "one stop shopping" principle, allows the user with one single query to directly access all relevant dynamic data like NOTAM and METEO, and static data like AIP.
- Automatic checks and processes instead of error-prone manual procedures improve security and reduce the the staff's amount of work; data relevant for flight plans, for example, should already be checked as to consistency when being entered into the system.
- High integration of the individual components for the generation of static aeronautical data, e.g. Chart and AIP Production systems, with the databases. This ensures swift handling and distribution of all static data.
Considering the above, COMSOFT developed their COMSOFT Aeronautical Data Access System (CADAS), based on latest web technology, and at the same time taking into account the actual needs of the users. CADAS thus became an aeronautical information and terminal system that allows most save and yet easy access both in the ATC Centres and their country-wide enterprise networks as well as VPN channels in the public internet.
The Multi-Application Platform
Users expect an aeronautical information system to be an integrated platform that exactly corresponds to their very needs and facilitates their work without compromises. The needs, however, are as different as the users and their respective environment; therefore, an AIS platform must be a perfect fit with any kind of application, providing for smooth enhancement.
CADAS covers a wide range of aeronautical applications and offers a large scale of different services distributed over its various modules so that the system can be easily adapted to any ANSP's needs. The CADAS applications fulfil all requirements of ATS messaging, Integrated Self-Briefing, NOTAM, MET and static databases, RPL processing and Charting, and also eAIP. Figure 1 gives an overview of the architecture of CADAS and the use of the various terminal types.
Figure 1: Multi-Application Platform
Comfortable HMI and Fast Access
Acceptance of new technologies and systems is best achieved by making their handling as easy as possible, this consequently minimising the training period. CADAS follows these principles with its logically structured graphical surface, offering quick access to all features and fostering intuitive operation by means of convenient functions and various system services.
As mentioned before, another intelligent feature of a terminal application is the system's ability to continuously check entered data against relevant standards and the static aeronautical data stored in the system, and to give the user immediate feedback about the result. Thus, the terminals give the user clear guidance, eliminating errors rather than correcting them. A sophisticated user/group concept, as with CADAS, provides secure access to the databases while access rights to templates, filter specifications, mailboxes, and stored work results can be shared among the team members. Yet, not only any team member working in an ATC Centre should be able to enjoy this comfort, but also users connected via internet.
Figure 2: NOTAM Template: Incorrect input is marked and corrections are proposed.
Figure 3: CADAS Screenshots
AMHS and ATS User Agent
The built-in AMHS (Aeronautical Message Handling System) and ATS User Agent consequently follow the concept of easy and simple handling. They are the result of COMSOFT's expert skills as a leading AMHS manufacturer. Within the next years, AMHS, based on X.400, is the likely candidate to take over the ATS services that are currently handled via the AFTN. The initial idea behind this development was to use standard X.400 equipment for ATC communications.
However, conventional X.400 User Agents and COTS products on the market are not able to fulfil the demanding needs of ATS operators because, obviously, X.400 is focussing on the pure messaging aspect rather than on semantics of ATS and MET information. As a consequence, the basic properties of X.400 have to be enhanced by additional features to please the users and to convince them of adopting the new technology. The CADAS User Agent provides both the features and convenience functions of a highly sophisticated ATS message terminal and the message handling capabilities of an AMHS User Agent. For instance, the Active Flight Database helps the user to generate and file flight-plan-related update messages with a few mouse clicks.
Technology and Security
CADAS is based on leading-edge internet technology and provides superior performance compared to conventional AIS solutions. It is therefore optimally suited for large environments with a multitude of users and terminals.
The CADAS high-availability cluster configuration and the load-sharing facility provide utmost data integrity, reliability, and a most powerful performance. This results in high throughput, storage capacity, and the possibility to simultaneously connect a great number of users to the system. It is based on up-to-date COTS servers and a powerful LINUX operating system, and thus can be hosted on a variety of current and future platforms.
Security is an important issue not only in the internet world. Systems that are accessible via more or less open IP networks need to be relentlessly protected against intruders. Where applicable, the access to CADAS can be controlled by a highly secure two-password and certificate access procedure: The first password gives access on network level, the second password is required to log on to the CADAS application. Central supervision and tracking of user activities allow the administrator to take appropriate measures in case of faulty system operation or system abuse.
Figure 4: CADAS Security Concept
Maintenance
Maintenance efforts and costs are reduced to a minimum since software updates are distributed to the CADAS client terminals automatically from the central server. This is particularly important if there is a large number of terminals or if the terminals are spread over several sites across the country.
The CADAS client terminals check the CADAS server automatically for new software releases and download them on their own. CADAS terminals, databases, and message mailboxes are centrally maintained and monitored. All relevant data are stored on the CADAS cluster so that utmost data safety and integrity are incessantly guaranteed. This concept minimises the risk of data loss and allows easy replacement of defective terminal hardware.
Summary
CADAS has been designed to be a most versatile system which fulfils the ASNP's needs both for a highly comfortable AIS and an intelligent AMHS messaging solution.
Leading-edge web technology, automated processes, and centralised maintenance of the system provide aeronautical information services in an efficient and therefore cost-effective way.
COMSOFT
COMSOFT, established in 1979, has been active in the ATC/ATM domain for more than 15 years and has gained a world-wide reputation in this market. CADAS is one of the products in COMSOFT's portfolio backing the enterprise's technological leadership in the domain of aeronautical information systems.
For further information, please refer to www.comsoft.de.