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Core activity: Preparing, validating and testing concepts, procedures and systems
This core activity entails benefit-oriented support of major changes and innovations of ATM/CNS systems and procedures in a national and international environment. Conducting such tests at an early stage mitigates the risks associated with introducing new systems and contributes to the evaluation, development and optimisation of systems and procedures. With these measures, we are helping to secure the future of DFS. We always focus on developing systems and procedures that support the user. In other words, the emphasis is on implementing technical systems that benefit air traffic controllers and their interaction with, for example, pilots. For this purpose, a team of highly qualified staff from software engineers to psychologists works closely together with air traffic controllers. Apart from developing and testing prototypes and new working methods, our task is to also test them in a very realistic work environment using real-time simulations. This allows us to make quantitative comparisons of future and existing systems and work methods in terms of the controller’s taskload and workload, capacity, productivity and efficiency as well as safety. These tests are performed using an R&D simulator that was developed with partners in the ATM industry. Training simulators at DFS are now based on this R&D simulator. We also have technical experts who can evaluate the technical performance and the benefits of new system developments, particularly in the areas of communications and surveillance. These technical experts are specialised in so-called enabling technologies. Our CNS laboratory has a state-of-the-art integrated test environment for performing specific assessments. This environment is continuously adjusted to new requirements and developments. This core activity centres on the R&D phase model. In the beginning, there is usually a pathfinding process in which the concept is defined and systems are prototyped, followed by a validation process and transfer of results. Know-how from initial stages is usually also transferred at an early stage.
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