Project Report

On

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ATC) - COMMUNICATION,

NAVIGATION & SURVEILLANCE
Bachelor of Engineering
In

Electronics and Communication Engineering

By
NEHARIKA
101206092

Airport Authority of India

Indira Gandhi International Airport
New Delhi

INDEX

Air Traffic Control (ATC)

CNS
A-SMGCS
HF TRANSMITTERS
L BAND
DSCN

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
A great privilege to get training at Air Traffic Control (ATC)
under the Airports Authority of India(AAI).
This report describes the training persuaded in the project
semester at Air Traffic Control (ATC) under Airport Authority of
India (AAI). It has come its midway, keeping in mind the
course curriculum as per the university requirements.
A sincere gratitude to the all the people who have helped and
are continuously the trainees throughout the training session
and a deep indebt to Mr. S. K. Tomar, Mr. Umesh Yadav, Mr.
Himanshu Singh Mr. S P Singh Mr. Sudeep kumar for
organizing the training programme, efficiently and providing
valuable resources and also for their cooperation and
willingness to share their expertise and knowledge and to
devote their precious time to discuss related topics. The
training session is quite exciting and knowledgeable and is
going great with the help and co-operation of all the staff and
faculty of ATC.

INTRODUCTION
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
Air traffic control (ATC) is a service provided by groundbased controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the
air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to
separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and
expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and
other support for pilots when able. In some countries, ATC
may also play a security or defense role (as in the United
States), or be run entirely by the military (as in Brazil).
In addition to its primary function, the ATC can provide
additional services such as providing information to pilots,
weather and navigation information and NOTAMs (Notices
to Airmen).
In many countries, ATC services are provided throughout the
majority of airspace, and its services are available to all users
(private, military, and commercial).

INTERNATIONAL
(ICAO)

CIVIL

AVIATION

ORGANISATION

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), an

agency of the United Nations, codifies the principles and
techniques of international air navigation and fosters the
planning and development of international air transport to
ensure safe and orderly growth. Its headquarters are located
in the Quartier International of Montreal, Canada.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL IN INDIA

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) was formed on 1st
April 1995 by merging the International Airports Authority of
India and the National Airports Authority with a view to
accelerate the integrated development, expansion and
modernization of the operational, terminal and cargo facilities
at the airports in the country conforming to international
standards. Presently it is owned by the Government of India
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FUNCTIONS
To control and manage the entire Indian airspace
(excluding the special user airspace) extending beyond the
territorial limits of the country, as accepted by ICAO.
Provisioning of Communication and Navigational aids viz.
ILS, DVOR, DME, Radar, etc.
To Design, Construct, Operate and Maintain International
Airports, Domestic Airports, Civil Enclaves at Defence
Airports.
Development and Management of International Cargo
Terminals.
Provisioning of Passenger Facilitation and Information
System.
Expansion and Strengthening of Operational areas viz.
Runways, Apron, Taxiways, etc.
Provisioning of Visual Aids.

FLIGHT INFORMATION REGION (FIR)

The airspace of the world has been divided into
homogeneous regions called FIRs. A Flight Information
Region (FIR) is an aviation term used to describe 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.
Any portion of the atmosphere belongs to some specific FIR.
Smaller countries' airspace is encompassed by a single FIR,
larger countries' airspace is subdivided into a number of
regional FIRs. Some FIRs may encompass the territorial
airspace of several countries. Oceanic airspace is divided into
Oceanic Information Regions and delegated to a controlling
authority bordering that region. The division among
authorities is done by international agreement through ICAO.
There is no standard size for FIRs, it is a matter for
administrative convenience of the country concerned.
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A-SMGCS
INTRODUCTION
An advanced surface movement guidance and control
system (A-SMGCS), therefore, is expected to provide
adequate capacity and safety in relation to specific weather
conditions, traffic density and aerodrome layout by making use
of modern technologies and a high level of integration between
the various functionalities. It is capable of providing the
necessary support to aircraft operations in order to maintain
required capacity and safety levels, especially under low
visibility conditions. It is an airport traffic management system
that provides a comprehensive surveillance picture of the
airport surface and terminal area airspace (or coverage
volume). Data from the coverage volume, including position
and identity of aircraft and vehicles, is processed and displayed
at the Controller Working Positions (CWPs) and the
Maintenance Display Terminal.
ADVANCE
SURFACE
CONTROL SYSTEM

MOVEMENT

GUIDANCE

AND

The system uses a combination of multilateration sensors,

ASR(Airport Surveillance Radar), Flight plan data server
(FDPS) with the surface movement radar to establish the
positions and flight call-sign identities of the aircraft and
vehicles on and around the airport surface. It provides data
with an accuracy, update rate and reliability suitable for
improving airport safety in all weather conditions
A-SMGCS collects the information from primary and
secondary radar. Radar is basically means of gathering
information about distant objects or targets (aircrafts etc), by
sending electromagnetic waves (generally UHF or Microwaves)
at them and analyzing echoes. The primary radar uses the
surface movement radar antenna whereas secondary antennas
use different multilateration sensors called as Remote Units
(RU).
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The secondary antennas or the Remote Units uses the

technique ofmultilateration to collect the aircraft, taxi or any
moving object moving on the taxi way or run way. The
multilateration technique calculates the information of object
by the time difference of arrival (TDOA).These RU are of
two types:
Receive-Only Remote Units:-Receive-Only Remote
Units (ROs) receive, decode, time stamp, and send the
following types of target signals to the TP: The total
number of field-installed RO units and their placement is
site dependent.
Receiver/Transmitter Remote Units:-In addition to
offering all of the same receiving, decoding, and time
stamping capability as the RO, the Receiver/Transmitter
(R/T) transmits Mode S (addressed) and ATCRBS
interrogations to targets. The total number of fieldinstalled R/T units and their placement is site dependent .

The Primary Radar antenna or Surface Movement Radar (SMR)

Subsystem uses high sensitivity radar operating in the Xband frequency range to collect target information from its
coverage area. The SMR subsystem consists of the following
components: antenna and pedestal, transceiver assembly,
Radar Data Processor (RDP), Radar Interface Unit (RIU, if
required), and support equipment. A-SMGCS also accepts radar
information from up to four radar sensors. It rotates with the
angualar speed of 60 rpm. It can detect any object of having
size greater than 1 cubic meter. It works in X-Band whose
frequency from 8-12 Ghz.

SURFACE MOVEMENT RADAR -1

Make

: TERMA A/S, Denmark

Model

: Scantter 2001

Band

: X -Band

Frequency

: 9170 MHz & 9438 MHz

Configuration : Dual Redundant Frequency Diversity

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Antenna

: Slotted Waveguide Antenna

Pulse width

: 40 nsec

Beam Width

: 0.36 deg (Horizantal)

Max Power

: 25 KW (Peak)

SMR1

SURFACE MOVEMENT RADAR -2

SMR2 was installed by M/s TERMA and integrated by M/s HITTS
in the year 2008 to provide CATIII B facilities at RWY29-11.
Frequency

: 9170 MHz & 9438 MHz

Configuration : Dual Redundant Frequency Diversity

Antenna

: High gain Slotted Waveguide Antenna.

Scan rate
Beam pattern

: 1 sec.
: Inverse Cosecant

A-SMGCS SYSTEM
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The A-SMGCS system is composed of many subsystems.

The Surface Movement Radar (SMR) subsystem is a primary
radar used to detect surface targets, and report that
information to other A-SMGCS subsystems for processing. The
SMR for your system is the Terma antenna and transceiver.
The Multilateration subsystem (MLAT) is a secondary
surveillance-like radar that provides position and identification
of all transponder equipped aircraft and vehicles.
The Processor Subsystem combines (fuses) all sensor reports
for a target, determines target position, tracks the target, and
provides safety logic alerts.
The Tower Display Subsystem provides the data and CWP
displays for Air Traffic Controller and Airway Facility Technician
use.
The Remote Monitoring System (RMS) provides the data and
displays the Airway Facility Technician uses to monitor,
troubleshoot, and manage ASMGCS.

The
Communications
subsystem
provides
data
communications and protocol conversion between various ASMGCS subsystems and other information sources such as ASR
and Flight Plan systems.

Design Concept
The A-SMGCS system was designed to be flexible and
adaptable to meet the coverage requirements unique to each
airport.
The A-SMGCS configuration allows different architectures to
be deployed without any special software. For example, remote
units can be configured from as few as 4 up to a maximum of
32.
A LAN architecture connects the A-SMGCS subsystems. The
use of LAN architecture allows A-SMGCS to interface with other
Air Traffic systems and supports multiple display processors,
which in turn support, multiple operator displays.
The CPU processor capability allows for future growth for
increased target processing, to provide future safety logic
enhancements, to support multiple and/or remote SMR
configurations.
Modular construction supports primary and secondary
equipment redundancy for critical components, removal and

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replacement of Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), and a low mean

time to repair.

Objective:
Subsystem
Surface Movement Radar (SMR) Subsystem
Processing Subsystems (Processor, RMS, and Display)
Communications Subsystem
Subsystem Interrelationship

Multilateration Subsystem
The Multilateration (MLAT) Subsystem is a secondary
surveillance sensor that provides accurate position and
identification information on transponder equipped aircraft and
surface vehicles.
The multilateration subsystem contains the following major
components:
Remote Units (RUs)
Reference Transmitters (RefTrans)
Target Processors (TPs)

Remote Unit(RU)
Remote units are the sensors used by A-SMGCS to detect
transponder signals. These signals (ATCRBS & MODE S)are time
stamped and passed to the target processor for multilateration.
There are two types of RUs:
Receive Only (RO) and Receive/Transmit (R/T).
The RO and R/T are based on a common architecture.
The RU elements are configurable by software and hardware
to operate as either an RO unit or an R/T. To operate as an R/T,
the unit requires the addition of a transmitter module.

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HIGH FREQUENCY RADIO

TRANSMISSION STATION
I. INTRODUCTION
HFRT (High Frequency Radio Transmission) is a
complementary service to the ATC in exchanging information
between aircrafts in-flight and Flight information centre (FIC).
HFRT is also used to pass air traffic information between
ground to ground stations in case of emergency.

II. SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE DIFFERENT SECTORS:

RDARA (Regional and Domestic Air Routes Areas):- Used
for sending information to domestic flights and catering
domestic routes.
MWARA (Major World Air Routes Areas):- Used for
sending information to international flights and catering
international routes.

HFRT TRANSMITTER

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BASIC BLOCK
TRANSMITTER

DIAGRAM

OF

HIGH

FREQUENCY

RADIO

The HFRT Transmitter Unit is a separate unit which is used only

in transmission of RDARA & MWARA frequencies via different
channels provided.
Types of Transmitters used
MACE Transmitter
1. 1 KW transmitter.
2. Does not use software.
ZENITEL Transmitter
1. 5 KW transmitter
2. It is software based and uses web link software.
These transmitters receive audio and PTT signals from the
HFRT Unit in the ATS and then transmit them via appropriate
channels.
High frequency (HF) is the ITU-designated range of radio
frequencyelectromagnetic waves (radio waves) between 3
and
30 MHz.
Also
known
as
the decameter
band or decameter wave as the wavelengths range from one
to ten decameters (ten to one hundred metres). Frequencies
immediately below HF are denoted medium frequency (MF),
and the next higher frequencies are known as very high
frequency (VHF). The HF band is a major part of
the shortwave band of frequencies, so communication at
these frequencies is often called shortwave radio. Because
radio waves in this band can be reflected back to Earth by
the ionosphere layer in the atmosphere, called "skip"
or skywave propagation, these frequencies can be used for
long distance communication, at intercontinental distances.
The band is used by international shortwave broadcasting
stations (2.310 - 25.820 MHz), aviation communication,
government
time
stations,
weather
stations, amateur
radio and citizens band services, among other uses.

USES
The main users of the high frequency spectrum are:
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Military and governmental communication systems

Aviation air-to-ground communications

Amateur radio

Shortwave international and regional broadcasting

Maritime sea-to-shore services

Over the horizon radar systems

GMDSS Communication

ANTENNAS
Since horizontally polarized radio waves work better for
skywave propagation due of the greater ground absorption
ofvertically polarized waves, monopole antennas which
have vertical polarization are not much used, and antennas
based on horizontal dipoles are mostly used. The most common
antennas in this band are wire antennas such as the rhombic
antenna, in the upper frequencies, multielement dipole
antennas such as the Yagi, quad, and reflective array
antennas. Powerful shortwave broadcasting stations often use
large wire curtain arrays.

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MODULATED FREQUENCY

AUDIO

PTT

15

ZENITAL TRANSMITTER
PTT- Push to talk
DFS- Direct Frequency Synthesizer
DR1 & DR2- Driver 1& 2
F1& F2- Filter 1&2

L-BAND RADAR
I. WHAT IS RADAR?
Radar is basically means of gathering information about distant
objects or targets (aircrafts etc),by sending electromagnetic
waves (generally UHF or Microwaves) at them and analyzing
echoes. The word itself stands for RADIO DETECTION and
RANGING.

II. PRINCIPLE OF RADAR

Radar consists of transmitter and receiver, each connected to a
directional power through antenna. The receiver collects as
much energy as possible from the echoes reflected to it from
target and then processes and displays the image in a suitable
way. Nowadays the receiver and transmitter are same which is
done by use of Duplexer and TDM multiplexing arrangement.
Duplexer isolates the transmitter and receiver during reception
and protects the receiver from high power transmitter.

III. IMPORTANCE OF RADARS

SURVEILLANCE: Radars are used to aid surveillance which is
an integral part of ATC. They are responsible for keeping an
account of all the aircrafts, devices in and around the airport.
Radars are very important in maintaining the proper air traffic
control as they provide all the essential information regarding
aircraft position, height, and speed etc. to the Air Traffic
Controller.
Radars are also used in gathering important data regarding
weather and climatic conditions & thus also aid the
Metrological Department.
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 Radars are therefore very important in ensuring proper traffic

management in the airspace and preventing accidents.

V. RADARS USED IN THE ATC

PSR(Primary Surveillance Radar)
The radar used is ASR23SS L- band PSR.
Provides detection range from 100 to 220Nm.
Dual
Tx/Rx
processor
channel
with
reconfiguration on failure.
Dual-beam antenna.
Different units within this radar are:
Antenna
Solid state Tx
Rx/Exciter
Signal/Data Processor
Control and Monitor System

automatic

MSSR(Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar)

Uses both ground and air-borne equipments like
TRANSPONDERS.
Provides detection range from 100 to 250Nm.
Interrogation beam & Control beam are emitted by the
rotating antenna from the ground. These are the signals
transmitted from ground station antenna.
The transponder detects these signals and sends its own
response to the receiver.
A single pulse P1 is transmitted via interrogated beam
and a separate pulse P3 is received. A further P2 pulse is
radiated from control beam.

SPECIFICATIONS:
L band : Primary surveillance radar antenna system (1.260 GHz is
used)
PROPERTIES:
High Gain
Low side lobes
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 Enhanced high angle performance

Instantaneous Polarization Switching

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DSCN
Dedicated Satellite Communication Network(DSCN) is a
media for transportation of data from one place to
another place with the help of Satellite.
DSCN is based on VSAT technology.

WHAT IS VSAT
The term Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) refers to
a small fixed earth station. VSATs provide the vital
communication link required to set up a satellite based
communication network. VSATs can support any
communication requirement be it voice, data, or video
conferencing.
The VSAT comprises of two modules - an outdoor unit
and an indoor unit.

Technology Overview
The most common VSAT configuration is the
TDM/TDMA
star network.Star configuration network architecture
centralized management and data processing minimizes
overall lifetime cost allows the use of low cost remote
VSAT terminalsoptimizes use of satellite capacity.

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PRINCIPLE CHARACTERISTIC OF INTERACTIVE VSAT

NETWORK
bit rate data terminal equipments (DTEs) operating at
1.2 to 9.6 kb/s for remote users
Small amount of data transfer - typically between 300
and 105 bits
low duty cycle
Large number of VSAT terminals (10 to 10000)
sharing same communication link
Connections between remote VSAT terminals require
a double hop through the hub and are rarely used

Components used in DSCN system

SATELLITE MODEM (LINKWAY 2100)
It is a multi-carrier, multi-rate, time-division multiple
access (TDMA) modem.
SATELLITE MODEM (LINKWAY S2) :
The Link way S2 modem is a hub less TDMA VSAT
system that enables to cost-effectively integrate a
variety of applications into a single platform in any
network topology.
MEMOTEC MULTIPLEXER
It is an access/switching device with multiple ports
that accept incoming transmissions from multiple
links and output the transmissions to the appropriate
end-user destinations
BEACON DOWN CONVERTER & TRACKING
RECEIVER
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The unit accepts the L band signal from the LNBC

and produces a DC voltage proportional to the
received signal strength of the Beacon frequency.
ANTENNA CONTROL UNIT
It used for fine pointing antenna from inside the
room.
MOTOR CONTROL UNIT
It accepts the logic commands from the ACU and
gives out the necessary voltages to the respective
motors.
HUB STATION
A relatively large, high performance earth station
with an antenna diameter of anything between 6 and
9m.
Consists of a control centre which manages the
network as well as microwave equipment and an
outdoor antenna
Substantial amount of interfacing equipment
necessary to support the wide range of terrestrial
interfaces.

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