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Langen, 2 April 2007 ATM systems: Mode S in operational use In 2000, DFS together with skyguide of Switzerland and LVNL of the Netherlands signed contracts with Raytheon UK Ltd. to develop Mode S systems for the COMOS project (Common Mode S). The first of the 12 Mode S systems ordered by DFS was for the radar station Frankfurt-Süd. This station became operational in spring 2003. Since then the CNS division at DFS has retrofitted all remaining 11 stations to pave the way for Mode S operations in Germany. Over the past two weeks, the ATM systems KARLDAP at Karlsruhe UAC and P1/ATCAS at Langen, Bremen and Munich ACCs with Mode S functionalities have been put into operation. As well as at the towers in Berlin, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Munich (based on the PHOENIX system), this new technology can now be used at all DFS control centres. Thus, Mode S comes into operation as scheduled and before the deadline for the mandatory carriage of Mode-S-capable transponders in aircraft. The radar technology Mode S (Mode Select) allows the selective interrogation of transponders to ensure better target resolution (reliably differentiate between even those targets that are located closely together) and improve the detection probability of each target, while, at the same time, reducing the frequency spectrum congestion. Another advantage of this new technology is that it solves the issue of the shortage of Mode A codes. In the conventional system, aircraft are identified using the SSR code Mode A. However, there are only 4096 Mode A codes. As air traffic continues to grow, a shortage of individual codes in busy airspaces will be inevitable. Apart from the SSR code, the Mode S system provides further information to identify the aircraft by also showing the flight ID (i.e. the call sign entered by the pilot for the flight) and a 24-bit address for each aircraft. In principle, each aircraft can be assigned a single code in Mode S airspace, thus making SSR codes unnecessary. This code is "A1000" and is referred to as Mode S Conspicuity Code (MSCC). There are plans to put this Mode S Conspicuity Code into operation in Germany for selected "city pairs" from October 2007. From 1 April, DFS will check whether the flight IDs transmitted by aircraft are correct in order to prepare for the next phase of Mode S. If there is a discrepancy between the call sign in the flight plan and the flight ID, the pilot will be informed accordingly and asked to remedy the error. Further benefits offered by Mode S technology: Apart from the flight ID, further airborne data (e.g. selected flight level) can be transmitted by Mode S radar stations to ATM systems. Making the carriage of Mode S transponders mandatory for all aircraft in controlled airspace enhances the effectiveness of the airborne safety nets ACAS/TCAS. The multilateration systems being implemented at major airports such as Frankfurt and Munich are also based on this Mode S technology. DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH is a State-owned company under private law and has 5,200 employees. DFS ensures the safe and punctual handling of flights. Staff coordinate around 10,000 aircraft movements in German airspace every day, and more than three million movements every year. With this large number of flights, Germany has the highest traffic volume in Europe. DFS operates control centres in Langen, Bremen, Karlsruhe and Munich. In addition, DFS is represented in the Eurocontrol Centre in Maastricht, the Netherlands, and in the control towers of the 16 international German airports. DFS provides training and consultancy services around the world and develops and sells air traffic control, surveillance and navigation systems. The company's portfolio also comprises flight-relevant data, aeronautical publications and aeronautical information services. DFS has the following business units: Control Centre, Tower, Aeronautical Solutions and Aeronautical Information Management.
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