Fully Integrated ATC Voice Communication Solutions from Microphone to Antenna

The first installation of controller working positions using the Rohde & Schwarz fully IP-based R&S VCS-4G emergency radiocommunications system has successfully completed site acceptance testing at DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS) GmbH at the ACC Langen.

The first 68 controller working positions to achieve site acceptance are a subset of 250 positions that will be installed in all of the four DFS area control centers (ACC) located in Langen, Munich, Bremen and Karlsruhe. Installation of the R&S VCS-4G controller working positions is part of the DFS ErNoCen project for the renewal of the emergency radiocommunications system for the German air navigation service provider. The system to be implemented by Rohde & Schwarz also includes a redundant management server pair – a system that enables nationwide monitoring of controller working positions, radios, uninterruptible power supplies and other IT network components. Integration into the DFS umbrella monitoring system was realized using the simple network management protocol (SNMP).

Communications between the controller working positions and the R&S Series4200 radios at radio stations all over Germany is based on voice over IP (VoIP) technology in line with the EUROCAE ED-137B standard. All voice services are fully IP-based and run over the DFS IP network infrastructure. Legally stipulated voice communications recording at the area control centers also adheres to the EUROCAE ED-137B standard.

Installation and acceptance of the emergency radiocommunications system at the ACC in Langen represents a significant milestone for DFS: This is the first fully IP-based radiocommunications system for DFS. VoIP communications is now seamlessly implemented from each controller working position to the radios. Project leader Volker Taufmann expressed the agency’s satisfaction with the project performance: “For DFS, the emergency radiocommunications system is extremely important for air traffic safety. Rohde & Schwarz, a company with a proven track record in delivering fully IP-based VCS systems, has done an outstanding job of working with our team to realize our specific requirements and needs. Rohde & Schwarz experts provided a realistic assessment of what is possible and relevant while always seeking to find the best possible solution for the customer.”

VoIP technology in line with EUROCAE ED-137 is becoming the new communications technology for ATC, replacing the obsolete TDM-based systems. The fully IP-based R&S VCS-4G voice communications system adheres to this standard. The R&S VCS-4G uses a redundant design with numerous interfaces to external systems such as voice recording equipment and telephone lines. Due to its unique distributed architecture, the system is highly scalable and can be expanded easily without replacing existing equipment.

The R&S VCS-4G has been designed to meet next-generation ATC requirements such as asset sharing, facility consolidation, geographical distribution, virtual center, and remote tower, thereby providing effective support for the efficiency and safety objectives relevant in global aviation.