Improving ATC security and safety

Jorn Rod-Larsen explains the importance of unified recording and air traffic safety – from voice logging to the big picture.

“The sheer magnitude of air traffic also means that these decisions have to be made more quickly and accurately than ever before”
-Jorn Rod-Larsen

For many years the Air Traffic Services Safety Regulations has required ATC units to record audio (both ground-to-air, ground-to-ground and telephony), and more recently record radar in order to support incident and accident investigations. New regulations requiring the recording of even more communication sources are underway and ATC customers should evaluate whether their existing or new recording equipment is compliant and what extra costs the new regulations will impose for them.

Security and safety
Air traffic security and passenger safety are paramount and only achieved through a multitude of hi-tech systems working together. One small but critical part of this big picture are record and replay systems. Traditionally, these were voice-logging systems recorded on tape. In the event of an accident, incident or threat, tapes would be replayed and analysed, but their basic, manual nature meant their use was often limited and time consuming.

New technology and demands for speedy retrieval saw the introduction of digital recording and a new era in voice logging. Technological advancement in other areas of air traffic control, however, means that today’s decisions are based on greater available information from more individual sources than ever before. The sheer magnitude of air traffic also means that these decisions have to be made more quickly and accurately than previously. The smallest error can be fatal. Air traffic controllers are dependent on a system that eases and assists their daily task and decision-making process, giving them the big picture at any one time, as well as simple, reliable tools to check and document it. The work of investigating officers would also be greatly assisted if it were possible to see exactly what was presented to the controller, to hear what was said and to reconstruct the actions taken at the time of the incident under investigation.

Voice logging to the big picture
New regulations concerning the recording of background communications and screens are underway. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) stipulates that “Air traffic control units be equipped with devices that record background communication and the aural environment at controller work stations from 1 January 2010”.

The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority’s Safety Regulation Group (CAA SRG) has a consultation process where it is proposing that every airport or ATC centre that uses surveillance data support the operation of an air traffic service from that unit shall record screen shots of the surveillance data presented at each operational ATC position. The recorded data shall be retained for the ICAO minimum requirement of 30 days.

A recording solution that captures analogue audio, digital audio, VoIP, composite CCTV, IP-Cameras, LAN radars,  asynchronous and synchronous serial radars, and other serial data in a single system which can play back all data synchronously will not only assist investigatory work and search and rescue operations, but also be of huge benefits to air traffic controllers, supervisors, and management for training and quality improvement purposes.

The big picture gets better
Accident and incident investigators have expressed that their work would be greatly assisted if it were possible to see exactly what was presented to the controller, to hear what was said and to reconstruct the actions taken at the time of incident under investigation.

There are two main technologies in capturing CWP screens, Through The Wall (TTW) and At The Glass (ATG). Capturing screens with TTW means tapping raw, unprocessed and processed data feeds from the sources, in real-time, directly from the copper carrying the data. Data is at playback fed into the CWP for reconstruction during analysis of the scenario.  One of the challenges with this technology is to recreate the exact picture of the Controller Working Position’s display at any time, due to mix between generic recorded data and vendor specific data.  There also exists a challenge in including messages generated by the underlying operating system like error messages and warnings. 

Capturing screens with ATG can be divided into three categories. One where the display memory is continuously read and stored, the second which records use X-11 commands and the third technology where one taps into the DVI/RGB signal and capture the screens image as it is displayed on the CWP screens. This method is completely non-intrusive and recreates the exact picture. The technology will interface to any system and is not vendor specific. The user may also keep the same way of recording screens even if the ATM system and CWP positions are upgraded or replaced. During replay the screen images are recreated in full synchrony with, for example, position communication or other types of data. To make sure no data is lost between screen captures the screen is typically captured four to eight times per second.

Recording solution
Ricochets multi-flexible ATC solution is specifically designed for the ATC arena, with its particular needs in mind. Whilst setting a new, higher standard and changing the way the industry approached data logging a few years ago, today it is a proven system that has been serving satisfied customer all over the world since the year 2000.

Ricochet is fully in line with all industry requirements, including newly adopted amendments to the ICAO standards. It is now possible to experience instant and dependable synchronous replay of audio, radar, screens and video data with a simple touch of a button. This is what we call unified recording and replay.

Fulfilling the requirements

Superior performance made simple: Ricochet offers superior performance in a simple configuration, with great emphasis being placed on speed, reliability and simplicity of use. It not only accurately records voice conversations, it also simultaneously records CCTV, radar and screen images, enables efficient replay access and control and guarantees perfect synchronisation of data. Hence it is not only possible to hear what is said both prior to and following an incident, but also to visualise and analyse all relevant information surrounding it, at the drop of a hat. 

User-friendly: Ricochet ATC is also a vital tool in daily operations, not simply a data-logging device. Not only can controllers see the big picture at all times, Ricochet’s unique user interface means that they can speedily perform a number of tasks with simple steps. Whether quickly checking a voice message that was unclear, attaching data needed for further investigations to an email, or burning it on a USB thumb drive for a speedy and secure analysis, controllers can always rely on complete accuracy and authenticity, through Ricochet’s advanced security software.

Safe investment: A modular structure makes Ricochet ATC fully expandable. As controllers` tasks increase or operations grow, Ricochet can be easily expanded with them, making it the system of choice for over 200 airports of all sizes across the world, including Glasgow International Airport, Orly Airport, Singapore Changi Airport and Abu Dhabi ACC and EACC.

Tomorrow’s technology available today: Ricochet is a young, dynamic company that is well positioned for the future. We see things differently and translate our thoughts into innovative ideas. Our vision is to make air traffic security simple and secure. We do this by working closely with our customers to develop solutions in line with their real needs, and the way they work, both today and in the future.