STARS Facts
The FAA has been a leader since the 1960s in using computers to help air traffic controllers direct aircraft in terminal areas around airports. As new technologies became available, the FAA added newer generations of computers to those already in service, retiring only the most obsolete equipment. In the terminal area today, the FAA operates five different versions of older computers (see ARTS ), which have monochrome displays with limited memory and processing speed.
Controllers' Giant Leap. The most prominent feature of STARS will be the 20-by-20 inch full color display, which presents aircraft positions and flight information to the controller. This display has been specially developed for air traffic control, and is exceptionally readable when viewed at close range by the controller. When combined with modern computer windows and graphics, this display will bring the controllers from the 1970s to the next century in one giant leap. STARS takes advantage of computer designs proven in hundreds of offices and laboratories.
- Features large screen color displays for air traffic controllers at every terminal facility in the country
- Uses powerful commercial workstation computers interconnected by modern local area networks (LANs)
- Gives technicians modern computer maintenance technology, providing increased reliability at reduced cost
- Provides equal or better levels of service and safety while lowering operating and maintenance costs
Use Latest Technology. STARS will employ workstation computers that are a mainstay of the automation community as the standard processor. The workstations will provide a major improvement over today's FAA computers, which have custom-designed hardware and software that are hard to modify or update.
Focus on Safety. The ultimate focus of any FAA system is to ensure the safety of travelers. STARS is being designed with backup capabilities so that the failure of any component will not cause a system failure. In addition to redundant components at key points, STARS has an independent Emergency Service Level which will get critical information to the controllers, even in the event of a total hardware or software failure in the primary system.
Before the STARS system is used in the United States, it will be extensively tested at the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center. Testing will rigorously examine the system's software safety logic, as well as the suitability of the design for use by frontline controllers and technicians.
A Smooth Transition. The STARS team recognizes the importance of providing uninterrupted safety and service to the flying public. One of the biggest challenges will be to change over to this new system without inconveniencing the FAA's customers. STARS will initially be deployed at two FAA key sites - Syracuse, New York and El Paso, Texas - prior to its deployment to other FAA facilities. This system will also be deployed at the DoD Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. These deployments will enable the FAA to evaluate STARS performance in a more representative operational environment. The operational experience gained will allow the Agency to build upon the baseline system and meet the needs of our customers.
The key to the nationwide changeover to STARS will be a smooth transition at each facility. The STARS design allows the new STARS display to be run with the existing ARTS backroom and hardware. This allows the equipment to be quickly installed with controllers resuming duties on a hybrid system the next day. As controllers and technicians become proficient with the new commands and capabilities of STARS, the facility can begin operation with the new system. The full transition to STARS will occur only when the controllers and technicians are confident that the new system provides the necessary margins of safety and efficiency. |
