AMASS

Overview

AMASS (Airport Movement Area Safety System) is not a sensor system, but rather, a processor—a collection of modules which provide controllers with traffic alerts based upon data received from existing sensors and processed using logic in the AMASS system. AMASS is designed to enhance the surveillance and collision avoidance capabilities of existing ASDE-3 radar and provide air traffic controllers with automatic (computer generated) visual alert information on the ASDE-3 Operational Display Unit (ODU) and aural alert information that can be heard by controllers in the tower cab. AMASS adds an automation enhancement to the ASDE-3 and tracks the movement of aircraft and ground vehicles on the airport surface and presents the data to the tower controllers via the ASDE display.

AMASS is designed to provide automated conflict alerts to assist the tower controller in averting collisions on the airport surface. The system can provide alerts involving possible conflicts of aircraft on the runway and on the close-in approach path with other aircraft/vehicles/obstacles within the airport movement area. ASDE-3 is used for detecting targets on the airport surface and up to 200 feet above the airport surface. The AMASS uses surface surveillance data from the Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE-3), data for inbound aircraft in the approach paths from terminal radar (i.e., airport Surveillance Radar (ASR-9/11)), and additional flight data from Terminal Automation (ARTS/STARS). AMASS is physically compatible with existing ASDE-3 equipment.

AMASS performance is monitored by the ASDE-3 Remote Maintenance Monitoring System (RMMS). A local maintenance data terminal (MDT) interface is provided for diagnostics and for sending commands or receiving data to and from the ASDE-3 system.

Vendor

NORTHROP GRUMMAN, Norden Systems, Norwalk, CT, USA

Issues

Some controllers have complained that AMASS provides too many false alarms during periods of moderate or greater precipitation. This issue appears to be directly related to a reported limited ability of the underlying ASDE-3 sensor system to cope with these levels of precipitation. In other words, the reported ability of ASDE-3 to filter weather returns in moderate or greater precipitation is less than optimal, and AMASS may tend to read those weather returns as traffic and generate an alarm.

Successors

Although an AMASS/ASDE-3 upgrade is planned for FY 2011, some have argued for an earlier transition to ASDE-X. In any case, by FY 2023 all existing ASDE systems (ASDE-3/AMASS, ASDE-3X, ASDE-X) are scheduled to be replaced by a single, common system.

ASDE-3/AMASS Installation

Links

FAA Mechanism Data Report: Airport Movement Area Safety System

FAA 1997 AMASS Project Implementation Plan (large, poor quality .pdf)

"The AMASS Mess" (NATCA article. Sept/Oct 2005 "Air Traffic Controller")