Augmented Flight Deck Model
The Augmented Flight Deck Model (AFDM) is a new inter-operable model that is being developed by ISA Software under the sponsorship of the FAA to model free flight or autonomous aircraft in an ATM modelling scenario.
Modelling new concepts using distributed simulation components
AFDM is developed as an external simulation tool that operates interactively with an ATC Simulator such as RAMS Plus. Most existing simulators do not support a true free flight model, although often they support semi-free flight concepts such as free route concept (e.g. through the multi-use area in RAMS Plus). As a result, if a tool like RAMS Plus, in its normal (stand-alone) operation, were to be used as a free flight modelling tool, extensive additions to its internal logic would be necessary. Having recognised that no modelling tool is able to continue to model all the new and future concepts that may be put forward in the effort to improve efficiency and capacity to cater for the anticipated demand, the RAMS Plus developers, in conjunction with the FAA decided on an inter-operable approach.
Avoid costly and time consuming changes to core legacy system logic
AFDM is one of the models that is used to introduce new behaviours without the need for core logic changes. Through the Open Communications Interface (OCI), RAMS Plus supports the addition of external modelling tools that can either enhance or overload internal functions of the simulator. This means that developers can rapidly produce or adapt tools to represent new concepts or behaviour expected to be found in future ATM systems and through OCI, add them as external, inter-operable models to the ATM scenario being simulated (represented by RAMS Plus).
Adding to the suite of new components for the future distributed modelling toolkit
The inter-operable modelling approach has been in use with RAMS since 1998, when the first experiments using the approach were carried out. Since that time, several models have been adapted or produced to work within the OCI architecture, and many more are currently being produced or enhanced to also work with OCI.
Evaluating advanced future ATM concepts at an early stage
The role of AFDM is to provide a model that allows the study of a variety of Free-Flight or Autonomous Aircraft behaviours in a simulated ATC environment, replicating many of the anticipated features of intelligent aircraft (such as those described in the NASA DAG/TM concept).
For more information on AFDM please contact ISA Software or FAA.
Airport and Airspace Integrated Modelling System
In response to the growing demand for innovative solutions to ATM modelling to support the gate to gate initiative, ISA Software has developed the Airport and Airspace Integrated Modelling System (AIMS).
Solving problems through the use of distributed simulation components
AIMS provides an ATM modelling framework to allow disparate models to manage a simulation exercise in a clear and co-ordinated manner. Through its innovative approach to solving simulation problems, AIMS is the first system that truly allows you to incorporate your own modelling components with those from other providers to achieve a true gate to gate capability.
Plug in your own models to provide enhanced functionality
The advantage that you gain from using the AIMS system is that you can truly plug your models into the environment and add new or existing components to complete the gaps that your own models do not cater for. Through the AIMS approach, you no longer need to rely on a specialist provider or request that they modify their huge model (at a huge price!). If you miss some key functionality it is easy to build your own model to represent it and include it in your scenario through AIMS.
AIMS – Integration by design
The AIMS architecture is specifically designed to support the integration of new and existing simulation modelling tools via a common management agent, and to assist its users in the construction, maintenance and management of their simulation studies.
Centralised, tool independant data management
AIMS also provides a full range of simulation data preparation and support facilities where the user can work on a single, centralised data view and then choose to run any model that has been included in the system WITHOUT NEEDING TO WORRY about any of the specific data requirements. AIMS data management system and filtering mechanism will cater for the specific requirements for you.
Airspace, Airport, Human in the Loop models
AIMS currently provides support for fast-time and real-time Human in the Loop (HITL) models and in the near future, will also incorporate an in depth airport ground management model. In keeping with the spirit of AIMS, to allow the easy integration of different modelling components, all of the AIMS models are based on existing and reknowned simulators.
With AIMS, there is an alternative – Contact us for more information
Through AIMS there is now a real alternative to those huge ‘we can do it all’ simulators – it is as easy to integrate a new model in AIMS as it is to ‘switch on a light’. For more information about AIMS, or if you are interested to propose models for integration in the system, please contact our support team at ISA Software. We will be pleased to help you.
Common ATM Information State Space
As modelling requirements continue to place increasing levels of demand on existing and future study tools, it has become evident that the adoption of a collaborative modelling approach will provide the solution to future concept validation studies.
Common ATM Information State Space for ATM Modelling
The Common ATM Information State Space (CAISS) provides a standard container for ATM state space information that can be used to maintain relevant ATM oriented information and furnish that information to any participating model in a distributed simulation environment in a fast and efficient manner. In its interoperable model-based variant, CAISS provides a fully functional AIS data store which is used by all of the ATM modelling systems participating in a simulation to exchange Aeronautical and ATM data. CAISS, in its model-based form also provides a working demonstrator for ISA Softwares Centralised Aeronautical Information System Service.
Download the ATM research paper about CAISS
Ongoing activities in collaboration with the FAA and several other parties in the USA and Europe will see an increasing number of ATM modelling components beginning to interact with the CAISS to continue enhancing the FAA ability to study and model future operational concepts, collaborative decision making tools and future procedures.
European Harmonized Aircraft Noise Contour Modelling Environment
ISA Software has designed and developed the ENHANCE tool for EUROCONTROL Experimental Center over the last few years. The tool provides an environment to support your preferred noise modelling tool via a user friendly graphical user interface. Highly adaptable, to suit your noise modelling needs, ENHANCE combines intuitive data management facilities with a valuable noise modelling database relating to Airline fleet mixes and operating conditions. ENHANCE relies on an open architecture that supports the easy integration of an existing noise model (noise engine) through which consistent and reliable modelling scenarios can be constructed.
Better noise contour modelling
ENHANCE uses simulator data, radar data and meteorological data, together with new databases povided by EUROCONTROL and their contractual partners including aircraft profiles and airport procedures at many European airports, to provide better noise contour modeling using a pre-existing noise model.
The ENHANCE approach is based on existing noise contour calculation software (for example, the Integrated Noise Model from FAA), but through a pre-processor function and “European” database, it allows more accurate data input, including radar data and simulation data.
User-friendly graphical interface
ENHANCE allows you to
– Define a noise study on your own PC via a user-friendly interface
– Fully respect the 3D trajectories of each flight in the input data (radar or simulated data)
– Compute realistic flight profiles as input to the noise model (height, speed and thrust) using validated databases of aircraft performance and flight operations
– Insert default values where real-world input data is missing or incomplete, using a standard and consistent database
– Easily perform noise calculations that cover large numbers of flight operations.
ENHANCE uses radar or simulated aircraft tracks and altitude/speed profiles to create more realistic noise contours maps with a pre-existing noise model (here the FAA’s Integrated Noise Model).
For more information on ENHANCE, you should contact our EEC partners.
Flight Object Management System Model
The RTCA Concept of Operations envisions a long-term system architecture based on a common information pool (SWIM), intelligent agents and SYSCO automated coordination and negotiation.
Recognizing the continuing need for simulation tools
To support planning and evaluation of future concepts, the FAA’s Office of System Development (ASD-100) has sponsored the development or extension of a software toolset which is able, today, to model cornerstone elements of the long-term TSD architecture in a fast-time simulation environment. Intelligent agents can add strategic flow and decision support domain behaviors and plug-in components (allowing aircraft to follow different rules, for example) are supported.
Existing toolset components
- SYSCO: SIMC, a manager and communications layer supporting information publication and subscription;
- SWIM: CAISS, a highly efficient common information pool;
- ATC: RAMS Plus, a recognized ATC model; and
- ASAS: AFDM, an autonomous aircraft model with ADS-B, onboard conflict detection and pair-wise separation and trajectory optimization.
Flight Object Management System (FOMS) model
To more fully represent the anticipated architecture, a Flight Object Management System (FOMS) model is being completed. FOMS manages a flight object for every flight, monitoring and transitioning FO ownership through all flight phases. FOMS provides profile query, evaluation and alerting services to all NAS domains and agents as well as to the user (airline operations center or pilot). In the event of competing profile requests from different agents – for example, an immediate controller intervention occurring simultaneously with a TFM delay or user optimization request – FOMS will accept the highest priority request and inform all other agents. Client agents may register their volume of interest (VOI), clearance/constraint rules and information requirements and FOMS will identify flights and trial plans using those volumes and publish the requested information (i.e. crossing times or partial profile). Whenever a flight, a constrained NAS resource or VOI changes, FOMS ensures the synchronization of flight and VOI crossings for all NAS and NAS-user domains.
Strategy for Information Management and Collaboration
The objective of the Strategy for Information Management and Collaboration (SIM-C) is to build a service oriented architecture where simulators, analytical tools and decision support systems share information and collaborate to support the validation of future operational concepts. Most of SIM-C’s requirements are derived from the two following documents: “National Airspace System Architecture” and “National Airspace System Concept of Operations”. The former considers the information exchange as service-oriented where systems are a set of information services distributed across the NAS and coordinated through a hierarchy of responsibilities. The latter eliminates the point-to-point service access in favor of an ATM virtual information pool.
Single connection point to access any tools
SIM-C simplifies the tools’ connection process. As a consequence, a tool no longer connects to other tools but instead it makes a request for a particular service and SIM-C will manage to find it on its behalf.
Support of the service publication
Server applications (or Producers) will register its services with SIM-C. After registration, these services will be instantly available to any client applications (or Consumers).
Support of the service subscription (or service provider discovery)
Client applications (or Consumers) subscribe to registered services and SIM-C mediates in locating the requested service among the registered services.
Support for service execution
After a service is discovered, SIM-C hands the consumer a key to be used for subsequent call to the service.
Support of growth of decision points
The dynamic service discovery during runtime allows seamless proliferation of decision-making processes.
Data interoperability
Information sharing
AENA Hybrid Simulator Concept
HYSIM[Ardep Ref: AEN070]
Hybrid Simulation (HY-SIM) is a concept which enables simultaneous running of components integrated into the very same system, whether they come from dynamic simulation (or so called Real Time Simulation) or mathematical model based simulation (or so called Fast Time simulation), with important advantages for the ATM analyst.
The concept of hybrid simulation requires four principle elements:
– Integration Platform for Simulators: PITOT will be used in this way.
– Real Time Simulation Components: AMAN and DMAN components will be used as test cases.
– Fast Time Simulation Components: Adaptations or modifications of the RAMS PlusTM tool will be used.
– Components of Hybrid simulation: The HY-SIM project will provide the first test prototypes.
The objective of HYSIM is to develop a set of software modules needed to produce RAMS Plus multi-run prototypes; support to the analysis and design of new integration modules; off-line integration of RAMS-MWM (Multi-workload Model) E-TLM(Enhanced Task Load Monitor); dynamic integration of RAMS-AMAN/DMAN; analysis and specification of RAMS-RTS (Real Time Simulation) synchronized integration.
EUROCONTROL Complexity and Capacity Analysis Research
ISA Software is heavily involved in the support of the EUROCONTROL Complexity and Capacity Analysis Research being carried out at the EEC, providing researchers and analysis support tools to the COCA project
The objectives of COCA are to analyse the relationship between Complexity, Controller Workload, Sector type and Capacity through comparison of indicators between different Centres of Control.
The principle goal of COCA is to provide some relevant, measurable, and meaningful indicators to evaluate the intrinsic difficulty of the ATM tasks in the context of the airspace concerned. The approach is to analyse the relationship between complexity, controller workload, sector type and capacity. Practical examples of these analyses are through elaboration of indicators and comparisons of their values between different European states, centres of control or between USA and Europe.
EU 5th Framework – Gate to Gate Research Programme
E-TLM is an experimental decision support tool developed jointly by ISA Software, AENA and INDRA in support of the Gate-to-Gate Dynamic Re-Sectorisation concept evaluation studies
It is based on the innovative use of Fast-Time Simulation modelling techniques to “fast forward” the current Air Taffic situation in a given ATC centre in order to evaluate the theoretical Controller Workload for a variety of possible sector configurations over the next n-hours (typcially 3-Hours).
Using a highly efficient fast-time ATC simulation model component (based on the ISA Software RAMS Plus ATC modelling engine), a Workload Analysis Component (WAC) derived from “Wickens” cognitive workload evaluation techniques, and interactive updates to current and expected aircraft trajectory (and intent) data, the E-TLM system can evaluate the theoretical workload over the next 3-hour period for each and every possible combination of sectors in an ATC center in a matter of minutes.
Through the E-TLM presentation layer, developed by INDRA, the regional planner (supervisor or potentially the Multi-Sector Planner) receives indications for the most optimal Airspace configuration to satisfy the short to mid-term traffic demand without overloading valuable ATC Controller resources
AENA recently completed their second round of Real-Time, Human in the Loop simulation trials using E-TLM in support of Dynamic Resectorisation at the ATC center in Sevilla, where the E-TLM system was acclaimed to be a highly useful decision support application.