OEP Plan Reference Sheet ERAM
En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM)
Flight Plan Goal #2 – Greater Capacity
Objective #1 – Increase capacity to meet projected demand.
The FAA has identified this program as a “Contributor” technology for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). Most direct alignment to a NextGen goal is “Aircraft Trajectory Based Operations”.
Background / Need:
The current En Route automation domain comprises a mix of technologies that are the result of a piecemeal system evolution. The En Route Host Computer System is the heart, brain, and backbone of the National Airspace System (NAS). The FAA can only maintain the Host Computer hardware through 2012, after which operational availability and maintainability will be at risk.
While the Host and Oceanic Computer System Replacement (HOCSR) program replaced mainframe processors, the Host Computer software is still based on a 30-year old architecture. The current Radar-Position display processors are reaching the end of their service life. These hardware and software limitations progressively impede the FAA’s ability to accommodate the steady, increasing demand for air traffic services that increase efficiency and capacity.
Today’s system relies on a mix of technologies developed before the introduction of modern information security standards and technologies.
The current En Route system presents significant challenges in configuration management and documentation because of its multiple, disparate sub-systems and site-unique configurations requiring complex testing and transition planning, increasing the effort required, and the risk to operations when fielding upgrades and managing airspace data.
ERAM replaces today’s En Route Host Computer System, its backup, and portions of the display system infrastructure, including the technical refresh of the Radar Position processor, to enable improvements in airspace capacity, efficiency, and safety.
Solution(s):
The ERAM program redesigned the display interface to support an open, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS)-based architecture based on the newly deployed En Route Communications Gateway (ECG) and the ongoing technical refresh of the Data Position display processors. Updating the current Radar Position processors will prevent a major bottleneck in ERAM’s open system infrastructure. Radar Position technical refresh is included in the ERAM acquisition program baseline.
ERAM improves configuration management and adaptation, and reduces the complexity of system upgrades and maintenance. ERAM provides the technology and mechanisms to introduce real and effective information security to the critical air traffic control system.
The ERAM architecture and deployment plans assume the successful implementation of the projects comprising the En Route Automation Program. The new En Route Communications Gateway (ECG) completed the replacement of the Peripheral Adapter Module Replacement Item (PAMRI) system, providing a modular and expandable system to support ERAM. The En Route System Modifications program replaces components and provides upgrades for operational display systems within the En Route environment. The User Request Evaluation Tool (URET) is a set of decision support capabilities that assists the En Route sector team in the strategic detection and resolution of predicted problems with traffic and adapted airspace. URET deployed to all 20 ARTCCs in FY 2006. Additional efforts include: Console Reconfiguration and Main Display Monitor (MDM) Replacement (CRMR) (completed April 2005), Data Position (DPOS) display processors technical refresh (completed August 2006) and Console modifications (Console Mods) to accommodate equipment to support ERAM.
ERAM development and deployment is being conducted incrementally in order to reduce risk, provide early benefits, address equipment sustainment issues, and to ensure a stable system during the transition from the Host Computer system.
- The first step was the replacement of the DARC and the addition of safety alerts through the Enhanced Back-Up Surveillance (EBUS) effort. EBUS introduces existing radar surveillance data processing software from the Microprocessor En Route Automated Radar Tracking System (MEARTS) into the En Route environment on the ECG processor and eliminates all of the existing DARC hardware/software. EBUS began deployment to Denver ARTCC (Key Site) and completion of all 20 ARTCCs occurred in May 2006.
- The second step is the national deployment of the En Route Information Display System (ERIDS). ERIDS is an important tool for providing the early benefits of improved productivity and efficiency. This reflected the elimination of the manual labor required to process print, manage and distribute paper. Three prototype ERIDS systems were completed in FY 2003. National deployment began in FY 2006 and is more than 50% complete. All 20 ARTCCs will be operational in FY 2008 (December 2007).
- The third and by far most complex step (ERAM Release 1) is the replacement of the Host Computer System with new software and hardware and the integration of these elements within evolving En Route system architecture in coordination with the other elements of the En Route Automation Program.
To mitigate risk, ERAM is leveraging existing FAA products and lessons learned to reduce cost, minimize deployment risk, and increase user acceptance. This step will complete the delivery of a new automation system at each En Route Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) in the continental United States. ERAM Release 1 national deployment begins in FY 2009 and concludes in FY 2011. Finally, ERAM Releases 2 and 3 will contain software maintenance updates and further functional enhancements.
Operational Benefits:
ERAM provides an enhanced, open-systems infrastructure to support the needs of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen).
ERAM will be fully integrated into the future NAS, providing flight information processing to terminal and approach control facilities. It provides flight information and route processing to the traffic management systems that control the efficient flow of air traffic. ERAM has a fully functional backup system that simplifies system maintenance and eliminates the need for restrictions in the case of primary system failure.
Deploying a new ERAM infrastructure with new Radar Position processors avoids unmanageable technical and operational risk during transition.
The En Route Automation program and the En Route System Modifications program address component obsolescence, system maintainability, current system operational performance improvements, and technical solutions that provide continued improvements to the National Airspace System.
ERAM provides capabilities that the current Host cannot because of its technological and structural limitations, including restrictions on the number of flight plans that can be stored, the number of air traffic control radars that can be used, and flexibility in airspace configuration. ERAM provides a state of the art foundation and will introduce new capabilities that enable improvements in air traffic control services such as flexible routing around weather, congestion, and traffic restrictions and automated controller-to-controller coordination to reduce controller workload and increase productivity.
Airspace users will be able to file their intent earlier in the flight planning process, allowing air traffic control resources to be more efficiently allocated to handle anticipated workload, and end-to-end flight plan analysis will improve the predictability of proposed routing.
National adaptation will reduce lifecycle costs of system maintenance and ensure a consistent level of service from facility to facility, and the use of international flight plans will almost seamlessly allow airspace users to fly across national borders.
During periods of increased traffic loads, the use of ERIDS to electronically distribute important information to air traffic controllers will reduce time controllers spend accessing the data and will improve the quality of the information thereby increasing productivity and controller efficiency.
In coordination with other En Route programs, ERAM will accomplish a complex transition from the current system to a modernized, En Route system architecture while not impacting critical services. This transition will provide improved En Route ATC capabilities and establish a modern and supportable environment, facilitating future capabilities and enhancements.
