ATIS/VOLMET Flex ATIS/VOLMET/DATALINK and Clearance - Terma

ATIS/VOLMET FLEX: FLEX CLEARANCE ATIS/VOLMET/DATALINK AND DATALINK: AND AUTOMATED CLEARANCETERMINAL
INFORMATION SERVICE
ATIS/VOLMET Flex
ATIS/VOLMET/DATALINK and Clearance
A Flexible Solution Designed to Work Your Way

ATIS/VOLMET Flex
An ATIS & VOLMET Solution
Designed to Work Your Way
Terma ATIS/VOLMET FLEX is the ultimate solution for capital and major international airports
with large aircraft operations volume or airports with strong focus on service availability and
performance.
The system supports any combination of ATIS and/or VOLMET. The system’s excellent flexibility
allows you to configure the system in whichever configurations you may prefer. The service layout
as well as input handling, GUI forms and readout may also be configured as wanted.
With built-in DataLink capability, Terma ATIS/VOLMET Flex may optionally provide a range of
additional services, e.g. Departure Clearance. In addition, the ATIS/VOLMET Flex can work as a
DataLink gateway to other voice ATIS systems.
Functionalities
Validation of incoming data is performed automatically; an error alert will be sent if values
fall outside of the user defined envelope, allowing the operator to make corrections prior to
broadcasting. Supplementary data not available from external sources may be entered manually
into the system.
For voice broadcasting, the system decodes data (usually meteorological information, runway
condition, and approach type) as they come in and converts them automatically into high quality
voice broadcast. Meteorological data may come from sources such as METAR, SPECI, METREP,
SNOWTAM, TAF, and SIGMET.
The system lets users choose between speech-synthesized or pre-recorded broadcast, or both.
The computer generated speech synthesis module allows for advanced voice and pronunciation
adjustments in order to optimize speech clarity. Multiple languages are available.
Terma ATIS/VOLMET Flex also supports pre-recorded human spoken vocabulary. By using prerecorded
words, users can ensure easy updating of the vocabulary, local accent and correct
pronunciation of specific words.

ATIS/VOLMET Flex
Open and modular
system architecture
Terma ATIS/VOLMET Flex is built on an open client/server architecture and uses COTS
components throughout the design.
The open system utilizes the latest technologies and offers advanced user interface, object
oriented programming and the newest network technologies. This allows for easy customization of
features and functionalities as well as providing a pleasant and direct user experience.
ATIS/VOLMET Flex is fully scalable as the flexible architecture provides for seamless integration
with existing systems and unlimited potentials for future upgrades and extensions.
Monitor
Keyboard
& mouse
Server A
ATIS VOLMET Flex
LAN
X 25
Digicard
COM
Voice modem
Voice announcer
Remote Operator
Position
Remote Control &
Monitoring
Position
Speakers
KVM Switch
Server B
ATIS VOLMET Flex
LAN
X 25
Digicard
COM
Voice modem
Voice announcer
Switch
ETHERNET
MET REPORT
& SPECIAL
(TCP/IP)
AWOS
equipment
ATIS VOLMET
Radio Broadcasting Equipment
LSA
Communication
Unit
Master Clock
System
MET REPORT
& SPECIAL
(Serial)
AWOS
equipment
TIME
SYNCHRONIZATION
(NTP)
Telephone
METAR/SPECI, TAF
SIGMET Input
(Serial)
AFTN Message Switch
(GWDI)

ATIS/VOLMET Flex
DataLink Integration
The ATIS/VOLMET Flex system also features DataLink integration that greatly enhances the
possible applications including D-ATIS/D-VOLMET, DCL and PDC functionalities. Terma has
implemented D-ATIS/D-VOLMET and PDC/DCL systems at many national and international
airports all over the world.
– D-ATIS/D-VOLMET, Digital ATIS/VOLMET, allows pilots to retrieve information e.g. on local
weather conditions or runway and taxiway instructions via DataLink.
– DCL, Departure Clearance, refers to the automated service through DataLink for requesting
and delivering departure information and clearance that adheres to ICAO’s recommendations
on read-back procedures. It provides a point-to-point communication between the aircraft and
the ATC tower.
– D-PDC, Pre-Departure Clearance via datalink, is provided by an Air Traffic Service via an airline
host. The latter then conveys the PDC with the pertinent data to the aircraft upon request
from the pilots when it best suits their work planning.
DCL/PDC Functional Diagram
DataLink
SITA
ACARS
Strip printer Stripless system
Terma DCL/PDC
Datalink
ARINC
Other
Datalink Service
Providers
LAN
WAN
Tower positions
Technical positions
DCL/PDC systems
in other airports
With DataLink, the pilot may enter his departure clearance request from 25 minutes
prior to departure on the Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System
(ACARS) with flight plan, call sign, gate position, destination, and ATIS letter. In
response, the system automatically verifies the data for compliance between the
flight plan and the data received from the aircraft. Once this compliance has been
established, an automated clearance message including all essential information
such as Standard Instrument Departure (SID) and current ATIS letter is generated and
transmitted to the cockpit.

Benefits
– Cost-benefit effective system (studies show
that the payback period is less than two years)
– Reducing Radio Frequency congestion
– Reducing work load of aircrew
– No dependency of DSP network
– Automatic clearances – reducing work load in
TWR during peak hours
– Can be stand-alone or integrated with existing
FDPS
– 20 seconds saved per request via DCL
compared to normal voice procedure
– During peak hours, DCL position save more
than 20% effective time in Copenhagen TWR.
– During a day, effective saved time exceeds
more than one man-hour
– Reduction of approximately two errors/
misunderstandings per day
– Reduced noise load in TWR
– Optimized overview of departing aircraft
Time savings
Estimated time saved using DCL
compared to traditional voice clearance
Less than 1 min.
Approx. 1 min.
Approx. 2 min.
Approx. 3 min.
More than 3 min.
Number of pilots
Source:
Terma survey conducted with Scandinavian Airlines and Naviair
in 2003
1
6
14
21
24

System Specifications
Key standard features
– Automatic decoding of data from text to voice
– Modular and open architecture
– Highly scalable
– Supports any combination of ATIS and/or VOLMET
services, including time slot VOLMET
– Pre-recorded human voice and/or synthetic voice
– Manual interruption and input at any time
– Play back, verify and edit data prior to
broadcasting
– Glossary list of standard information
– Free text
– Handling of input can be configured via XML files.
– Handling and output (read out on voice, text and
DataLink) can be configured via XML files
– Generic LAN interface for AFTN and AWOS
– Generic serial interface for AFTN and AWOS
– Generic ICAO Annex 3 configurations for METAR,
TAF, SIGMET and METREPORT
– Handling of services can be figured via XML files
– It is possible to integrate DataLink Flex (both
Optional features
– Multiple languages
– Remote operator positions
– Remote control and monitoring positions
– Uninterrupted Power Supply
– Transmitter equipment
– Master clock interface or built-in GPS clock
– WEB, WAP, SMS
– Multiple voice services (broadcasts).
– Surveillance of voices
– Telephone interface
– Serial switching of input
– External alarm output via relay
– Surveillance via SNMP
Additional features with DataLink integration
– ED89A compliant DATIS & D-VOLMET
– ED85A compliant DCL
– Integration with ATIS Flex, ATIS Plus and third part ATIS
– Is able to work as a DataLink gateway.
– Optional Terma DCL GUI or integration with third part DCL GUI
– Log and statistic are based on HTML
– Exist to SCO UNIX, LINUX and Windows with Eicon and Farsite X.25 card
– Possibility for redundant configuration of servers
– Possibility for redundant configuration of X.25 communication channel
– Possibility for switch of X.25 communication
– Possibility for (and with experience in) connection to SITA or ARINC
DATIS/D-VOLMET and DCL/PDC)
– Pre-recorded voice where the user can add
phrases via WINDOWS ROP
– Log and statistic are based on XML which can be
presented as HTML via XSLT
– PTT functionality at the voice announcer
– Complies with ICAO and WMO recommendations
– Available in single and main/hot standby server
configuration
– Multiple user level password protection
– Automatic data validation
– Error alert (audio and visual)
– Designed for 24/7 availability (syntax, step and
range check)
– Supports any DataLink service providers including
SITA and ARINC
Terma A/S
Vasekær 12
DK - 2730 Herlev
Denmark
T +45 8743 6000
F +45 8743 6001
air-sales@terma.com
www.terma.com
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