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Mission critical IT:
Remote Air Traffic Control
by Air Traffic Control the Netherlands

Home » Remote Air Traffic Control

Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) manages one of the most critical national infrastructures of the Netherlands, its airspace.

For its IT Infrastructure, Air Traffic Control the Netherlands relies on Cisco technology and the expertise that Cisco and IT infrastructure specialist Conscia provide.

Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) is currently modernizing their network infrastructure, at individual airports across the Netherlands and also nationwide in connecting different airports to LVNL. This network infrastructure enables new technologies and makes additional (remote) services available. For example, LVNL is deploying a new Air Traffic Management (ATM) system called iCAS, has digitalized their Schiphol Tower operations by using Electronic Flight Strips (EFS), and is planning to remotely control their regional airports in the future. For the new network LVNL relies on Cisco technology and Cisco and Conscia expertise.

As part of this new enabling infrastructure, LVNL will implement Remote Tower Operations (RTO). The Netherlands has 17 airports, where Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the biggest airport. The regional airports handle significantly less flights than Schiphol. At this moment, all take offs and landings at those airports are managed from local air traffic control towers. This requires local facilities and resources.

Remote towers, equipped with high definition cameras and sensors from Saab, will be installed at regional airports in the Netherlands. Those towers send information via a secure, redundant and high bandwidth Cisco network to a central location at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol where Air Traffic Controllers could ultimately handle all traffic for airports across the Netherlands. The network is designed, built and managed in cooperation between LVNL and Conscia.

This kind of new digital air traffic solutions are a break-through in air traffic services and will transform the business with greater flexibility, improves security maturity, and leads to reduced costs with new business models supporting the stakeholders.

Showcase at Cisco Live 2023 Amsterdam

At Cisco Live 2023, from February 6 – 10 in Amsterdam, the Cisco Country Digitization Acceleration (CDA) team, Conscia, and LVNL, powered by Saab, showcased his solution.

In the video of Cisco Live Explored you can see the Conscia stand, including an interview with:

  • Niels van den Berg, Digital Business Development Director, Cisco
  • Edward Schaap, Manager CNS & Infrastructure, LVNL
  • Jeffrey den Oudsten, CTO, Conscia

The role of the contributors

Four experts are collaborating in order to realize this state-of-the-art project.

LVNL & Saab

Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) is responsible for providing air traffic services and the safe handling of air traffic from controlled airports.

LVNL is deploying Remote Tower Operations (RTO) at regional airports in the Netherlands. RTO is an important innovation as part of a new era of Air Traffic Control. Remote tower setups consist of cameras and sensors, powered by Saab, which deliver images and augmented information to a centralized control room. Ultimately this will make it possible to centralize Air Traffic Control functions from one control room.

Cisco

Cisco contributed with Cisco Advanced Services in the realization of the Shared Network that LVNL uses for its Air Traffic Control system, which the remote tower concept is part of. With specific knowledge of the Cisco ASR platform, which is used in the complex networks of LVNL, Cisco has helped deliver the backbone of the ATM system.

Conscia

Conscia is the partner for LVNL when it comes to their network infrastructure. Conscia designs, implements, delivers and supports the network environment of LVNL. As such, Conscia advised and collaborated with Cisco in providing their Advanced Services. Conscia is also building one of the onsite networks of the remote tower setup at the airfield of Eelde.

The technology behind this solution

Traditionally every airfield has its own tower and air traffic controllers. This also applies to remote airfields with few flight activities. With the remote tower concept, all air control activities can be centralized and operated more efficiently, with optimal information delivered by cameras and sensors. Remote work, centralized, in an extremely advanced way.

The Remote Towers have a camera house at the top, with all kinds of sensors and cameras, powered by Saab, that provide the ‘eyes’ for  air traffic controller to do the job.

Cisco’s network, delivered with Cisco’s and Conscia’s expertise, provides a secure, high-end data path that ensures the delivery of images and information to the central location at Schiphol Amsterdam, where LVNL is seated. At the  – state of the art – Polaris building, all information can ultimately be brought together for Air Traffic Controllers to control multiple airfields from one console.

About Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration Program

As part of the Country Digital Acceleration Program, Cisco collaborates with government leaders to build sustainable, secure, and inclusive communities powered by ethical and innovative technology solutions.

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About Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL)

Air Traffic Control the Netherlands is responsible for providing air traffic services in Dutch airspace. This includes the renewal and management of technical systems, the provision of aviation intelligence, the provision of air traffic control training, and the provision of aviation charts and publications. In short, LVNL is responsible for managing civil airspace and everything that comes with it.

LVNL is constantly developing and working on various innovative projects. One of these projects is Remote Tower Operations (RTO). For LVNL, RTO is an important step in the further digitization of air traffic control. Remote Tower technology is already being used at various airports abroad.

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About Saab

Saab is a leading defense and security company with an enduring mission to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 18,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer, more sustainable, and more equitable world. Saab designs, manufacture, and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors, and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defense capability of several nations.

At Saab, we create aviation systems and services to enable safe, predictable, and efficient operations. As a leading provider of proven Air Traffic Management solutions, we transform operations and turn innovative ideas into reality.

Saab’s Digital Tower is a next-generation solution that builds on proven Saab video processing, visual presentation, and automation solutions. The Digital Tower is a flexible and scalable solution for a broad range of use cases.

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About Conscia

Conscia is a European IT specialist in networking, cyber security, and cloud.
Conscia provides secure infrastructure solutions and 24-7 managed services to clients with mission-critical infrastructures. Conscia delivers best-in-class technical competencies and insights and, as a trusted advisor, strives to support customers’ business-critical technology systems across the entire life cycle from design, implementation, and operation to optimization.

Founded in 2003, Conscia today has approximately 1,000 employees serving some of the largest organizations within financial services, healthcare, public sector, manufacturing, utilities, and retail from offices in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, and Slovenia. The long-term ambition of Conscia is to become the preferred networking and cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity partner in Europe for customers and vendors.

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