Software Design Principles of a DFS Tower A-CWP Prototype

TL;DR

This paper discusses the software design principles behind a prototype for an advanced tower controller working position, aimed at integrating information and reducing workload for air traffic controllers in SESAR projects.

Contribution

It presents practical design principles and initial experiences from developing an A-CWP prototype tested in SESAR validation sessions.

Findings

Prototype demonstrated improved information integration

Reduced data management workload for ATCOs

Validated design principles in operational scenarios

Abstract

SESAR is supposed to boost the development of new operational procedures together with the supporting systems in order to modernize the pan-European air traffic management (ATM). One consequence of this development is that more and more information is presented to - and has to be processed by - air traffic control officers (ATCOs). Thus, there is a strong need for a software design concept that fosters the development of an advanced (tower) controller working position (A-CWP) that comprehensively integrates the still counting amount of information while reducing the data management workload of ATCOs. We report on our first hands-on experiences obtained during the development of an A-CWP prototype that was used in two SESAR validation sessions.