ACE-IDS Air Traffic Control Displays

Overview

ACE-IDS is the FAA's national program for integrated data display and distribution systems.  In September 1999, All Weather Inc. (AWI) was awarded a five year contract to provide equipment, installation, and support for this program.  The ACE-IDS systems equip large, consolidated TRACON facilities, their associated ATCTs and various other remote sites with up-to-date information around the clock.

The system graphically displays a multitude of aviation products on a  single screen including ASOS, RVR, DASI, LLWAS, Coded Time Source, FDIO, AWIPS, TDWR, and WSP, making ACE-IDS the ultimate knowledge management tool for air traffic control.  ACE-IDS is a LAN/WAN-based network using a 20-inch touch screen monitor to provide controllers with real-time access to time sensitive information.

Product Details & Features

ACE-IDS is an integrated COTS/NDI system. The system includes hardware and software components that comply with U.S. government certification standards. Other features include...

ACE Controll Cabinet (ACC)

Provides a centralized interface control. ACC software allows for Remote Maintenance Monitoring (RMM) of all interconnected ACE-IDS system units.

IDS Display Software

A versatile Integrated Display program. ACE-IDS also integrates the capabilities of AWI's ACE NetView, providing real-time maintenance monitoring and control.

Network Capabilities

Servers and workstations are linked via the TCP/IP communications protocol for data dissemination over local and/or wide area networks.

Software tools

The ACE-IDS collection of software tools allow each facility to create, manage, and maintain a user-defined database tailored to the local aviation environment.

Graphical User Interface

Allows data from a wide variety of internal and external sources to be consolidated on screen in many combinations and formats.

External Interfaces

These interfaces allow independent systems such as Automated Surface Observing Systems, National Weather Service Systems, flight data input/output systems, low-level windshear alert systems, and more to be integrated into the single ACE-IDS display.

Flexibility

Workstations may be located within a single facility, throughout an airport, or over a wide geographical area.

Deployments

Throughout the course of the five year contract, AWI successfully deployed more than 800 ACE-IDS workstations in 70+ locations throughout the U.S. and Guam.  These installations include...

  • Atlanta TRACON plus 3 towers
  • Northern California TRACON plus 22 towers
  • Potomac TRACON plus 5 towers
  • Honolulu CERAP plus 10 towers
  • Dallas-Fort Worth Tower & TRACON plus 2 towers
  • Oklahoma City Tower and TRACON plus 3 towers
  • Reagan National Airport Tower
  • St. Louis Gateway TRACON
  • Boston Consolidated TRACON
  • SEA-TAC Tower and TRACON
  • Richmond Tower
  • St. Louis Airport Authority
  • Boeing Field
  • Guam CERAP at Anderson AFB
  • Indianapolis TRACON and ATCT at Indianapolis ARTCC
  • Phoenix TRACON and ATCT

Program Management & Customer Service

AWI is committed to responding to our customer's needs in a manner that exceeds expectation.  Below are some of the services we provided during the ACE-IDS program to help ensure its success.

  • Site Planning

    A Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) was created for each site. This document was a collaboration between AWI and the ACE-IDS program office and became the contract document governing installation activities at each site. AWI actively managed progress at each site in order to effectively capture changes in site requirements and ensure smooth operations. On several occasions, AWI's level of service far exceeded CDRL requirements.

  • Installation

    As Installation activities progressed, AWI managed communication between AT, Technical Operations, ANI, and the Program Office.  AWI's attention to detail and thorough communication at all levels of the project ensured that installation was a smooth process.

  • Maintenance

    AWI provided maintenance and support throughout each phase of the program. Upon completion of the contract period, maintenance activities were transitioned to the FAA technical support group (February 2006).

For additional information, call +1 (916) 928-1000, or click here to email us.