Air Traffic Awareness Display (ATAD) and Cockpit Information Systems Aeronatical Technology

Computer and communication technologies have advanced to a level where the large volumes of data required for "real time" cockpit information services can be gathered, transferred, processed and displayed to provide a commercially vaible environment/air traffic spacial relationships advisory service, on a continuous basis, to aircraft in flight. This proposal details the development of a plan that describes the availability of "all source" distributed "real time" situational awareness information suitable for on-board, inflight use; how best to collect, process and prepare the data for transmission; and receive and display it for use by the crew of the aircraft. This plan will be the Phase I Report, detailing the outcome and evaluation of the end-to-end feasibility demonstration. Phase II of this topic will carry Phase I results over into a beta test effort to be completed prior to bringing this concept to enterprise in Phase III. Anticipated Benefits: Benefits to the nation's tranportation system will be an improved Air Traffic Control Information system that will contribute to safer and more efficient use of airspace. The commercial application is to develop low cost, high quality, reliable data service equipment and economically viable information services to market to aeronautical users and possibly the government to help overcome problems and limitations of the current system