Tuesday, April 22, 2025
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Facility Information
The En Route Integration and Interoperability Facility (EIIF) is available 24/7. It is a fully independent site that hosts various activities, including:
- Research and development
- Proof-of-concepts
- Engineering assessments
- Early program integration
- Program risk reduction activities
- Familiarization and training activities
- System test and evaluation
Most EIIF customers require technical support to accomplish their program activities. The EIIF team is ready to give the needed support so that users gain the most benefit from their lab experience. The EIIF Completed Projects section of this site lists activities that were conducted at the EIIF.
Operational Capabilities
The EIIF is a functional equivalent of an En Route Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). Unlike other Air Traffic Control laboratories that must maintain a rigid baseline, the EIIF is easily reconfigurable to support user requirements. This flexibility allows for integration of new systems and prototypes into the EIIF NAS subsystems using hardware and/or software modifications. The EIIF contains the following fielded En Route subsystems:
- Host and Oceanic Computer System Replacement (HOCSR) Phases 1-4
- En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM)
- Display System Replacement (DSR)
- En Route Communication Gateway (ECG)
- Enhanced Backup System
- User Request Evaluation Tool
- Host Interface Device/ NAS Local Area Network
- Store and Forward Application
- Host Application Data Distribution System
- En Route Training Voice Communication Tool
Simulation Capabilities
The EIIF offers various simulation capabilities. These include the following:
NAS Direct Simulation: The EIIF HOCSR system can be used to perform Direct Simulations. NAS simulations can include radar, flight data, and DSR keystrokes and trackball messages.
Target Generation Facility (TGF): provides the capability for dynamic pilot in the loop simulations. The EIIF TGF includes eight simulation pilot positions to interactively control aircraft during an evaluation. These eight positions provide the capability for seven sectors of light to moderate traffic or four sectors of heavy traffic. These positions include voice communications for interaction with air traffic controllers at the DSR consoles. The TGF connects to the ECG via a Bytex switch to provide radar and interfacility interfaces. The facility generates simulated radar data based on scenario environment data and selected aircraft types.
Simulation Driver Interfacility and Radar DSR Simulator (SIRDS): a Linux-based tool that provides high fidelity radar and interfacility messages to the HOCSR. This includes short and long range radar data and interfacility traffic to both ARTCC and Automated Radar Terminal System facilities. This tool includes data recording and playback of radar data and NAS interfacility messages. Additionally, the SIRDS tool provides real-time monitoring of NAS interfacility communications. Surveillance and flight data history logs are provided that facilitate data reduction and analyses of system loads. Also, SIRDS can inject keystroke simulation messages into DSR. The EIIF SIRDS connects to the ECG via a Bytex switch to provide radar and interfacility interfaces.
EIIF Networked Simulation Capabilities: The EIIF network backbone also accommodates external simulation capabilities to drive the EIIF environment.
Support Capabilities
The EIIF is equipped to support development, integration, and test activities with the following NAS support capabilities:
HOCSR Support Tools: The full compliment of NAS En Route HOCSR/DSR/ERAM support tools are available at the En Route EIIF to support software development, scenario generation, system monitoring, and Data Reduction and Analysis (DR&A).
DSR DR&A and Local System Release Support Tools: The DSR support tools are also available at the EIIF including the DSR Local System Release Processor (LSRP) and the DSR DR&A Processor.
Graphical Scenario Generation Tool (GSGT): GSGT is a tool developed at the William J. Hughes Technical Center for Advanced Aerospace that stores the entire adaptation data sets, called Host adaptation (ACES) records, of all twenty ARTCCs and has the capability to graphically display this information for interactive sessions with a user. Maps, sector boundaries, fixes, airports, radar coverages, sort boxes and routes are all selectively displayable. By pointing and clicking, a user can draw routes of flight while the tool automatically generates NAS formatted flight plans and other applicable non-radar messages and associated surveillance information from all applicable radar. This data is then made available for playback using the above described simulation tools.
Training Capabilities
ERAM Training Room: The EIIF has a state of the art Training Facility dedicated to the ERAM program. This room is designed for an instructor and eight students each with their own ERAM Support System workstation.
En Route Computer Based Instruction (CBI) Laboratory: The CBI Laboratory is a 12-position training suite. The EIIF maintains field-level course material via regular course updates which are sent from the FAA Academy. En Route subsystem training material verifications, Airway Facilities familiarization, and air traffic demonstration preparation exercises are examples of the types of activities performed in this laboratory.
Facility Certifications and Registrations
The EIIF laboratory services are registered by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to ISO 9001:2015 Standard and Certification Requirements.
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