Operational display system: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|System for tracking multiple objects}}
{{Short description|System for tracking multiple objects}}
{{Unreferenced|date=December 2009}}


'''Operational Display Systems''' are systems used for tracking the status of multiple objects in [[avionics]]. Operational Display Systems are usually being developed by large countries' civil aviation authorities (such as the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] in the United States, or the main Service Providers in [[Europe]], such as [[Deutsche Flugsicherung|DFS]], [[NATS Holdings|NATS]], [[Direction des Services de la navigation aérienne|DSNA]], [[ENAIRE]], [[Eurocontrol#Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre|MUAC]], etc., coordinated by [[Eurocontrol]] in Europe), with inputs from technology companies and air traffic controllers associations.
'''Operational Display Systems''' are systems used for tracking the status of multiple objects in [[air traffic control]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Air traffic control |url=https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/engineering/air-traffic-control |website=EBSCO Research Starters |accessdate=November 22, 2025 |publisher=EBSCO}}</ref> Operational Display Systems are usually developed by large countries' civil aviation authorities, such as the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA) in the United States,<ref name="FAA">{{cite web |title=A Brief History of the FAA |url=https://www.faa.gov/about/history/brief_history |website=Federal Aviation Administration |accessdate=November 22, 2025 |publisher=FAA}}</ref> or the main European service providers including [[Deutsche Flugsicherung]] (DFS), [[National Air Traffic Services]] (NATS), [[Direction des Services de la navigation aérienne|DSNA]], [[ENAIRE]], and [[Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre]] (MUAC), coordinated by [[Eurocontrol]] in Europe.


[[Air traffic control]] systems gradually evolved from the old sweeping [[radar]] to modern computer-driven systems showing maps, weather information, aircraft routes and digitized radar tracks on an [[Human factors and ergonomics|ergonomically-designed]] console.
== System evolution ==
Air traffic control systems gradually evolved from the old sweeping [[radar]] to modern computer-driven systems showing maps, weather information, aircraft routes, and digitized radar tracks on an [[Human factors and ergonomics|ergonomically-designed]] console.<ref name="FAA"/>


Whereas in the past the information came only from a radar, current systems use inputs from a variety of sources. Radar is still used (multiple sources instead of just one), but is now complemented by [[transponder]] data (the aircraft sending out information regarding [[altitude]] and identifications) and soon [[satellite]] data (for more accurate positioning and overseas navigation).
The development of radar technology during [[World War II]] revolutionized air traffic control, allowing controllers to detect and track aircraft in real-time.<ref>{{cite web |title=When Radar Came to Town |url=https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/about/history/milestones/radar_departure_control.pdf |website=Federal Aviation Administration |accessdate=November 22, 2025 |publisher=FAA}}</ref> Whereas in the past information came only from radar, current systems use inputs from a variety of sources. Radar remains central but is now complemented by [[transponder]] data (aircraft sending out information regarding altitude and identification) and increasingly by [[satellite]] data for more accurate positioning and navigation.<ref name="FAA" />


As most data is now digital, this opens the way for extra functionalities to be embedded in the modern Operational Display System, such as trajectory prediction, conflict warnings, [[Air traffic flow management|traffic flow management]], arrival optimisation, etc. Two separate competing systems are currently operating within the US, [[Common ARTS]] (Automated Radar Terminal System ([[Lockheed Martin]])) and STARS ([[Raytheon]]), with Common ARTS operating at the busiest facilities ([[Human factors and ergonomics|New York]], [[Dallas]], [[Atlanta]], [[Southern California]], [[Chicago]], [[Washington D.C.]] area, [[Denver]], [[St. Louis]], [[Minneapolis]] and [[San Francisco]] area) within the US.
As most data is now digital, advanced digital functionalities are now embedded in modern Operational Display Systems. Those technologies include trajectory prediction, conflict warnings, [[Air traffic flow management|traffic flow management]], and arrival optimization.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Evolution of Air Traffic Control Systems |url=https://www.eleapsoftware.com/the-evolution-of-air-traffic-control-systems/ |website=eLeaP LMS |accessdate=November 22, 2025 |date=February 16, 2025}}</ref> Two separate competing systems are currently operating within the US, [[Common ARTS]] (Automated Radar Terminal System ([[Lockheed Martin]])) and [[Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System|STARS]] ([[Raytheon]]), with Common ARTS operating at the busiest facilities ([[Human factors and ergonomics|New York]], [[Dallas]], [[Atlanta]], [[Southern California]], [[Chicago]], [[Washington D.C.]] area, [[Denver]], [[St. Louis]], [[Minneapolis]] and [[San Francisco]] area) within the US.<ref name="common_arts_data">{{cite web |title=Common ARTS System Provides Air Traffic Control Automation |url=https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2003-05-16-Lockheed-Martin-Common-ARTS-System-Provides-Air-Traffic-Control-Automation-for-Potoma |website=Lockheed Martin News |date=May 16, 2003 |accessdate=November 22, 2025}}</ref>


On the display side, the round radar is being replaced by computer-driven [[cathode-ray tube]]s, which now are being replaced by modern [[LCD]] flat screens in en route systems. However a great many US Air Traffic TRACON facilities and Towers still use the older cathode-ray tube technology. Most of the larger TRACONs employ a 20" x 20" Sony color tube display; Common ARTS uses the ARTS Color Display (ACD) and the Remote ARTS Color Display (R-ACD), while STARS uses the Terminal Control Workstation (TCW) and Tower Display Workstation (TDW). Towers are slowly replacing old DBrite (cathode ray type remote displays) with an LCD type manufactured by [[Barco NV|Barco]]. However these display replacements are currently installed only at the busiest facilities with lower density traffic facilities slated for retrofit later.
== Display techologies==
On the display side, the round radar scope has been progressively replaced by computer-driven systems. Early computer systems used [[cathode-ray tube]]s (CRTs), which offered high contrast and durability. Modern en route systems increasingly employ [[LCD]] flat screens.<ref>{{cite web |title=How does the Aircraft Industry use CRT and LCD displays? |url=https://ssoptical.net/how-does-the-aircraft-industry-use-crt-and-lcd-displays/ |website=S&S Optical |date=May 20, 2025 |accessdate=November 22, 2025}}</ref> However, many U.S. Air Traffic TRACON ([[Terminal Radar Approach Control]]) facilities and towers still use older cathode-ray tube technology.<ref>{{cite web |title=Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) |url=https://www.cfinotebook.net/notebook/air-traffic-control/terminal-radar-approach-control.php |website=CFI Notebook |accessdate=November 22, 2025}}</ref>
 
Most larger TRACONs employ 20-inch by 20-inch color tube displays. Common ARTS uses the ARTS Color Display (ACD) and Remote ARTS Color Tower Display (R-ACD), while STARS uses the Terminal Control Workstation (TCW) and Tower Display Workstation (TDW).<ref name="common_arts_data" /> Towers are gradually replacing older DBrite cathode-ray remote displays with LCD technology manufactured by Barco, though these replacements are currently installed only at the busiest facilities, with lower-density traffic facilities scheduled for retrofit later.
 
== References ==
<references />


{{DEFAULTSORT:Operational Display System}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Operational Display System}}
[[Category:Avionics]]
[[Category:Avionics]]
 
[[Category:Air traffic control systems]]
{{Aviation-stub}}
[[Category:Display technology]]
[[Category:Radar]]

Latest revision as of 04:58, 23 November 2025

Template:Short description

Operational Display Systems are systems used for tracking the status of multiple objects in air traffic control.[1] Operational Display Systems are usually developed by large countries' civil aviation authorities, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States,[2] or the main European service providers including Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS), National Air Traffic Services (NATS), DSNA, ENAIRE, and Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUAC), coordinated by Eurocontrol in Europe.

System evolution

Air traffic control systems gradually evolved from the old sweeping radar to modern computer-driven systems showing maps, weather information, aircraft routes, and digitized radar tracks on an ergonomically-designed console.[2]

The development of radar technology during World War II revolutionized air traffic control, allowing controllers to detect and track aircraft in real-time.[3] Whereas in the past information came only from radar, current systems use inputs from a variety of sources. Radar remains central but is now complemented by transponder data (aircraft sending out information regarding altitude and identification) and increasingly by satellite data for more accurate positioning and navigation.[2]

As most data is now digital, advanced digital functionalities are now embedded in modern Operational Display Systems. Those technologies include trajectory prediction, conflict warnings, traffic flow management, and arrival optimization.[4] Two separate competing systems are currently operating within the US, Common ARTS (Automated Radar Terminal System (Lockheed Martin)) and STARS (Raytheon), with Common ARTS operating at the busiest facilities (New York, Dallas, Atlanta, Southern California, Chicago, Washington D.C. area, Denver, St. Louis, Minneapolis and San Francisco area) within the US.[5]

Display techologies

On the display side, the round radar scope has been progressively replaced by computer-driven systems. Early computer systems used cathode-ray tubes (CRTs), which offered high contrast and durability. Modern en route systems increasingly employ LCD flat screens.[6] However, many U.S. Air Traffic TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach Control) facilities and towers still use older cathode-ray tube technology.[7]

Most larger TRACONs employ 20-inch by 20-inch color tube displays. Common ARTS uses the ARTS Color Display (ACD) and Remote ARTS Color Tower Display (R-ACD), while STARS uses the Terminal Control Workstation (TCW) and Tower Display Workstation (TDW).[5] Towers are gradually replacing older DBrite cathode-ray remote displays with LCD technology manufactured by Barco, though these replacements are currently installed only at the busiest facilities, with lower-density traffic facilities scheduled for retrofit later.

References

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  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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