Czech ANS Using Era Interface to Accelerate Surveillance Modernization

Czech ANS, the ANSP (air navigation service provider) of the Czech Republic, is using an Era Interface to output multilateration data as ADS-B-like information so that all aircraft can be tracked through Eurocontrol's ARTAS, (ATC radar tracker and server), even if they don't have ADS-B avionics.

ARTAS already supports ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast) ASTERIX 21data-format standards, and Eurocontrol has commissioned Comsoft to enhance it to support ASTERIX 20 multilateration format standards as well, so that both technologies can work with existing ATM (air traffic management) automation systems.

Comsoft plans to deliver its multilateration interface sometime in 2008-2009, but the action of the Czech ANS, to use an Era-supplied interface to output multilateration data as ADS-B-like information, will allow all aircraft to be tracked through ARTAS even sooner.

Ivan Uhlir, the surveillance manager for Czech ANS, says the "new Era interface allows us to accelerate the process by integrating multilateration data into a single stream, and serves to move the process along faster during this period when ADS-B equipage is variable."

Russell Hulstrom, an Era vice president and general manager for ATM Solutions, said his company has seen a "tremendous" escalation in the rate of adoption of WAM (wide area multilateration) as an alternative to radar, both in its own right and as a path towards a future ADS-B.  According to Hulstrom, Era wide area surveillance customers, such as Czech ANS, AENA (Spain), ATNS (South Africa), ARMATS (Armenia) and other ANSPs, are now looking to Era for support in integrating these technologies into their operational systems.

Czech ANS also confirmed that it will provide the test data and platform for the development of the final multilateration interface to ARTAS in 2008. "We look forward to providing Comsoft with all possible support in this endeavor," said Mr. Uhlir. "With many years of operational experience with multilateration surveillance, we are sure we can help out on this very important Eurocontrol initiative."  12-02-2007.

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