Test and Evaluation of the Dallas/Fort Worth Terminal Communications Switching System.
Abstract
This report details the operational and technical evaluation of the air traffic control (ATC) terminal communications switching system (TCSS) at the Dallas/Fort Worth Tower/TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach Control) facility by personnel from the National Aviation Facilities Experimental Center. The system was designed and built for the Federal Aviation Administration and is innovative in that it uses frequency division multiplexing techniques for ATC instead of conventional communication-channel separation methods. The following are other TRACON communication innovations: communications are carried over a single coaxial cable in the 10-MHz to 15-MHz band; solid state logic circuitry is used for electronic switching of voice and radio-remoting interconnections; positional communications reconfiguration is under processor control; and all direct access keys and radio-select keys use light-emitting diodes for designators. In addition to a technical evaluation of equipment performance, an evaluation of the ATC operational performance of the TCSS was conducted using facility personnel as test subjects. Responses on questionnaires completed by the test subjects indicated that, with minor exceptions, the system satisfies requirements. Learning to operate a system position requires a minimal amount of training, and the system has the capabilities of growth and flexibility. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA040665
Entities
People
- Anthony Spingola
- P. E. Hinely Jr
- Richard W. Cleary
- Stephen A. Karovic