SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS MODE SIMULATION TESTS FOR OCEANIC AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL

Tests of simulated satellite system configurations and channel access control were conducted with air traffic control (ATC) test subjects to determine controller reaction to the satellite mode of communications and their interaction with associated input/output interfaces. The tests were designed to simulate an oceanic ATC environment supported by satellite communications and surveillance. Traffic scenarios were simulated through use of prepared flight plans and communications scripts and use of a simulated aircraft terminal. Communications delays were introduced into the tests to approximate those delays that may be encountered during actual satellite-supported ATC operations. Data were acquired for the controller test subjects reaction to different voice and data communications delay/restriction situations, voice channel queuing, data communications message length and format constraints, acceptance of required communications disciplines, and the mix of voice and data communications when there was a choice between the two methods of communication. Results were: (1) Controller test subjects favored using data communications to accomplish routine controller-to-pilot communications transactions and voice communication to resolve difficult traffic control situations, (2) actual data from the test logs corroborated test subjects' stated preference, and (3) controller test subjects tended to adapt their communications procedure options to be compatible with the communications system disciplines. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  NATIONAL AVIATION FACILITIES EXPERIMENTAL CENTER

  ATLANTIC CITY, NJ  United States 
• Authors:
  • Jefferson, F W
• Publication Date: 1978-3

Media Info

• Pagination: 62 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Access; Air traffic control; Communications satellites; Data communications; Simulation; Speech; Voice communication
• Old TRIS Terms: Channels
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00175958
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: FAA-NA-77-37, FAA/RD-77/187
• Files: NTIS
• Created Date: Jun 28 2002 12:00AM