ATRAK-SIMU - ATC Simulation System
The ATRAK-SIMU® system provides all the functionality of LAIC's main ATC systems, ATRAK-AISS and ATRAK-EC/PC for training and scenario simulation purposes.
The main features of the ATRAK-SIMU system are:-
- Virtual time exercise (allows freezing, slowing/speeding up scenarios)
- Data availability control
- Datafeeds can be disabled to simulate an outage scenario
- Runtime-configurable options
- Sophisticated logging facilities
ATRAK-SIMU comprises three core elements for operation:-
- ATRAK Simulation Server
- ATRAK Exerciser Server
- ATRAK Simulation Workstation
The ATRAK-SIMU server replicates the operational ATRAK-EC/PC and ATRAK-AISS data servers and relevant feeds. The Simulator FDP, EC/PC and AISS data processed in background by the ATRAK-SIMU server is then delivered to the corresponding ATRAK-SIMU workstation. The ATRAK-SIMU server is in itself made up of two main parts:-
- Radar Server
- Auxiliary Data Feeder
The Radar server runs as one instance for each group and when started is told to simulate one of the operational radars. The auxiliary data feeder utilises shell scripts and standard Unix tools for file manipulation and data distribution and database command tools to modify the contents of the database. The ATRAK Exerciser Server provides virtual time and separation of positions into the corresponding groups.
The ATRAK-SIMU Workstations replicate operational workstations for ATRAK-EC/PC or ATRAK-AISS and comprise of dual processor workstations supporting the ATRAK digital video interface and relevant ATRAK digital ATC displays.
LAIC's ATRAK-SIMU system is an application developed by LAIC in close co-operation with the Air Navigation Services of the Czech Republic (ANS CR). Part of the ATRAK suite of ATC Solutions, ATRAK-SIMU is currently implemented to support simulation and training of ANS CR’s Prague based ACC, APP and TWR operational rooms.
Main Functionality
The ATRAK-SIMU system replicates the operational functionality of the ATRAK-EC/PC and ATRAK-AISS systems namely:-
Information Management including:-
- Map overview
- Static and dynamic information
- Multi-view Meteological Information
- SunRise/SunSet timings
- Emergency Procedures
- Search and Rescue facility .
- Flight data information
- Detailed Event Logging facility
Dedicated Information Screens for:-
- Senior ATC Controller
- Watch Supervisor
- ATC Controller
- Military sites
Executive and Planning Control including:-
- Radar and flight data processing
- Aircraft position and traffic flow display
- Weather processing
- System Supervision.
ATRAK-SIMU Server components include:-
- Exercise Control Server - sets exercise scenarios
- Radar server - simulate operational radar
- Auxiliary Data Feeder - distribution of data
The Exercise Server provides virtual time and separation of positions into groups.
The Radar server runs as one instance for each group. When started, it is told to simulate one of the operational radars. It receives exercise radar data over the network and translates that to the output format as the emulated radar. It also receives SSR code to callsign matches from the FDP simulator. The Auxiliary Data Feeder - handles distribution of three data types:
AWOS (Airport Weather Observation System) (distributed at exercise start from the exercise software as "exercise scenario file" which contains data sets to be released at specific moments during the exercise. Data is distributed via network (UDP) broadcasts (each group uses a different UDP port)as in the operational system
CLOUDS (Significant clouds data) - distributed at exercise start from the exercise software as “exercise scenario file” (containing times and filenames) and compressed data files. These are uncompressed, modified with virtual time and distributed to all workstations in the group.
AISS data - distributed at exercise start from the exercise software as “exercise scenario file” (containing times and filenames) and data files containing items that are to be stored into the database at specific times (virtual exercise times). Each group uses its own database.
System Specification
Server:
ATRAK-SIMU Enterprise server comprising: -
- AIX Operating System
- Multi (4/8) Processors
- Dual Ethernet Adapters, Dual Power supply units
- Rack mounted console, keyboard and mouse
- ATRAK Raid array subsystem with ULTRA3 SCSI disk drives
Workstation:
ATRAK-SIMU 250/2500 High Performance X-Display workstation comprising: -
- AIX Operating System
- Dual Processors
- Dual Ethernet Adapters, Dual Power supply units
- Rack mounted console, keyboard and mouse
ATRAK-SIMU ATC display
- ATRAK-AISS (As operational specification)
- ATRAK-EC/PC (As operational specification)
ATRAK-AISS PLUS Digital Video interface
- ATRAK-AISS (As operational specification)
- ATRAK-EC/PC (As operational specification)
ATRAK-SIMU Desktender digital extender including: -
- DVI (dual-link) supported to VESA standards (to 3200 x 2400 pixels)
- Supports PS/2 or USB keyboard & mouse
- Extends up to 1000 meters over fibre
Software:
Operating System software
- AIX UNIX
Application software
- ATRAK-SIMU application software including:-
- Exercise Control Server software
- Radar Server software
- Auxiliary Data Feeder software
Database software
Oracle, MS-SQL
Optional extension of workstation up to 1000 metres from CWP using Desktender