Eurocat (Air Traffic Management System)
Encyclopedia
The EUROCAT system is a computerised air traffic control and management solution developed by Thales Air Systems
(Formerly Thomson CSF
). It utilises a distributed computing architecture
and is capable of integrating geographically dispersed air traffic control units within a Flight Information Region
(e.g. control towers at different airports and en route control centres) into a single coherent system.
Thales Group
The Thales Group is a French electronics company delivering information systems and services for the aerospace, defense, transportation and security markets...
(Formerly Thomson CSF
Thomson-CSF
Thomson-CSF was a major electronics and defence contractor. In December 2000 it was renamed Thales Group.-History:In 1879 Elihu Thomson and Edwin Houston formed the Thomson-Houston Electric Company in the United States....
). It utilises a distributed computing architecture
Computer architecture
In computer science and engineering, computer architecture is the practical art of selecting and interconnecting hardware components to create computers that meet functional, performance and cost goals and the formal modelling of those systems....
and is capable of integrating geographically dispersed air traffic control units within a Flight Information Region
Flight Information Region
In aviation a flight information region is a region of airspace with specific dimensions, in which a flight information service and an alerting service are provided. It is the largest regular division of airspace in use in the world today....
(e.g. control towers at different airports and en route control centres) into a single coherent system.
Features
The Eurocat system handles a large variety of different functions required for the smooth operation of air traffic control and management. A non-exhaustive list includes:- Surveillance data processing and track correlation (radar, ADS-BAutomatic dependent surveillance-broadcastAutomatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast is a surveillance technology for tracking aircraft as part of the Next Generation Air Transportation System ...
, ADS-C etc.) - Flight plan processing
- Communication (CPDLCController Pilot Data Link CommunicationsController Pilot Data Link Communications , also referred to as Controller Pilot Data Link , is a method by which air traffic controllers can communicate with pilots over a datalink system.-Necessity:...
etc.) - Aeronautical information data processing (NOTAMNOTAMNOTAM or NoTAM is the quasi-acronym for a "Notice To Airmen". NOTAMs are created and transmitted by government agencies and airport operators under guidelines specified by Annex 15: Aeronautical Information Services of the Convention on International Civil Aviation...
s, QNHQNHQNH is one of the many Q codes. It is defined as, "barometric pressure adjusted to sea level." It is a pressure setting used by pilots, air traffic control , and low frequency weather beacons to refer to the barometric setting which, when set on an aircraft's altimeter, will cause the altimeter to...
, wind aloft etc.) - Flow control and sequencing
- Human-machine interfacingUser interfaceThe user interface, in the industrial design field of human–machine interaction, is the space where interaction between humans and machines occurs. The goal of interaction between a human and a machine at the user interface is effective operation and control of the machine, and feedback from the...
(e.g. correlating data to generate controller's display) - Data recording
- Controller situational awareness and alerts generation
- Squawk Emergency (EMG), Radio Failure (RAD), Hyjack (HIJ)
- Short Term Conflict Alert (STCAShort Term Conflict AlertShort Term Conflict Alert is an automated warning system for air traffic controllers . It is a ground-based safety net intended to assist the controller in preventing collision between aircraft by generating, in a timely manner, an alert of a potential or actual infringement of separation minima.-...
), Minimum Safe Altitude Warning (MSAWMinimum Safe Altitude WarningMinimum Safe Altitude Warning is an automated warning system for air traffic controllers . It is a ground-based safety net intended to warn the controller about increased risk of controlled flight into terrain accidents by generating, in a timely manner, an alert of aircraft proximity to terrain...
), Danger AreaDanger areaDanger area may refer to:*The region of imminent danger from a tropical storm or hurricane; see 1-2-3 rule.*The protected area of a cricket pitch, on which the bowler may not run in his follow-through; see cricket pitch....
Infringement Warning (DAIW) etc. - Non-Transgression Zone (NTZ) alert, DUPE Alerts, FPCF Alerts.