Exploring Virtual Tower System Design Using AeroMACS for Improving the Efficiency of Flight Operations

Virtual tower (VT) is a remote air traffic control (ATC) facility that aims to improve efficiency of ATC services for the inbound and outbound air traffic, whilst maintaining airside safety. Aeronautical mobile airport communications system (AeroMACS) is a wireless broadband protocol, which has been harmonized globally to streamline ground-to-ground wireless communications across an airport. This study has explored VT design for an N+1 system architecture, consisting of 5 VTs and 2 controller working positions (CWPs) for parallel runways at an aerodrome. The research is novel in terms of the redundant AeroMACS datalink for VT system. The scope is limited to the communications, navigation and surveillance function only. The architecture consists of passive infrastructure, AeroMACS access and core network equipment, cameras and sensors, aviation light guns, CWP workstations, panoramic video wall, servers, network switches, video capturing modules, and protocol gateways. The subsequent sections elaborate the design methodology, high level overview of VT system architecture with redundant AeroMACS backhaul, standards compliance, integration with existing ATC and airfield systems, benefits targeted versus actual results, conclusion and scope for future design considerations. Owing to sensitive nature of information, it is noteworthy to mention that the airside details are fabricated and does not reflect an existing aerodrome. The findings show that VT over AeroMACS network will not only decrease the controller’s workload but substantially enhance the efficiency of overall flight operations, thereby paving the way towards achieving objectives of the 2030 International Civil Aviation Organization’s Global Air Navigation Plan (ICAO GANP).