Air Traffic Control Communications

The continuous increase in air travel creates a challenge for air traffic control authorities to maintain and upgrade their communications infrastructure to ensure the highest level of air and ground safety. ATC communications require a unique mix of communication services to enable effective management of ground and aerial control, as well as ensure always-on connectivity between airports, national control centers, and aircrafts. Another challenge is presented by the need to deliver voice, data, radar, guidance systems, video, telemetry, and other traffic, using a wide variety of interfaces, network infrastructure, and technology generations.

Above all, given the critical nature of ATC systems, their communications must ensure reliable and secure operations at all times.

Multiservice Platforms for Secure, Uninterrupted ATC Communications
RAD’s field-proven Service Assured Networking solutions have been widely deployed in airports and regional ATC sites to enable robust ATC communications, using the Megaplex high-capacity multiservice access platform, the Airmux sub-6GHz high-capacity wireless system, the SecFlow ruggedized security switch-routers, and the RADview network management system. Together, these secure-by-design solutions support intra-airport multiservice connectivity, wireless mobility, and high-capacity operational networks while enabling future capacity expansion to meet ATC’s evolving needs.

The Megaplex delivers AFTN data, direct speech (DS), Telex (TTY), radar data (RD), extended range VHF (ER), and VHF data link (VDL) traffic, together with other voice, video, and IP services, using industry-standard interfaces. It efficiently transports traffic over copper, fiber, microwave, or satellite links, using a ruggedized enclosure specifically built to withstand the rigors of field operations. The Megaplex supports fail-safe operations with ISDN, VSAT, and Ethernet backup and ensures smooth, cost-effective migration to next-generation packet networks with hybrid TDM and Ethernet architecture.

In addition, the Megaplex allows future applications and functions to be added as needed using a field-pluggable x86 server. It is strategically located to provide ATC cyber security and features a wide range of advanced protection mechanisms, including authorization, authentication, encryption, firewall, anomaly detection, and more.

The Airmux-5000 enables reliable point-to-multipoint and broadband mobility communications for on-the-ground personnel and vehicles, such as security staff, O&M teams, and first responders. The Airumx-5000 features smart antenna technology, including beamforming, nLOS/NLOS, and MIMO, to deliver high throughput, long-range coverage, and robust connectivity – even in remote facilities and difficult terrains.

The compact SecFlow integrates multiservice functionalities with built-in security mechanisms designed specifically for supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) applications controlling mission-critical operations. These devices support IP and Ethernet communications, as well as legacy serial protocols, and feature a comprehensive cyber security suite.

The RADview network management system provides easy planning, configuration, and monitoring of the network and RAD’s devices, offering an intuitive user interface and automated operations.