Modernising air traffic control communications
11 January 2010
Adapter provides interoperability with legacy radios on remote Philippine islands.
Air traffic control and radio communications technology from Harris Corporation will provide critical air-to-ground and ground-to-ground digital communications services for a new Manila Area Control Center in the Philippines; connecting it with remote sites throughout the 7000-island nation.
The Harris Liberty-STAR Voice Communication and Control System (VCCS) will improve communications between the area control centre controllers and aircraft en route and on the ground. Also, the Harris Integrated Radio Equipment and Network Adapter (IRENA), which can emulate virtually any radio link, will enable communications to isolated areas, where digital services are sparse and reliance on legacy links and older analogue technology is required. The contract marks the first international sale of the IRENA system.
"The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines will realise significant flexibility and cost savings, since it won't have to replace the entire communications infrastructure as network standards evolve," said John O'Sullivan, Vice President of Mission Critical Networks for Harris Corporation. "Operators can continue to communicate using their legacy radio equipment and upgrade when they choose to do so. This contract reflects our continued success in modernizing global air traffic control operations."
The Liberty-STAR VCCS uses a modular architecture with open-platform software and commercial-off-the-shelf hardware. This technology delivers a reliable, scalable solution for air traffic control (ATC) towers, area control dispatch, airline dispatch, flight service stations, ATC simulators and mobile shelters.
IRENA was designed to multiplex voice and data signals transmitted between air traffic management facilities and local or remote radios over standard telecommunications links. It can be used with any voice communication and control system and with all ATM radios. This adapter provides interfaces for digital voice, legacy analogue voice, SatCom, datalink, ADS-B, TIS-B, FIS-B and other data services.
Harris/SolaCom ATC Solutions and its partner, Speer Technologies Corporation, will deliver, install and integrate the communications system. It includes eight IRENAs, 16 touch-screen operator positions, 20 radio interfaces, 20 telephone interfaces and 10 Jotron VHF Multimode Digital Transceivers. The contract also covers operation and maintenance training for controllers and technical staff.
Contact Details and Archive...
Related Articles...
Most Viewed Articles...