Presentation topics
• AirDat/TAMDAR Overview• Status
• TAMDAR Impact Studies
• Simulations and Displays
• Ongoing Work in Support of Future Deployments• Sensor Enhancements and Refinements
• Future Sensor Testing and Deployment
• Communications Architecture and Data Center
• System Monitoring and QA
• AirDat TAMDAR Forecasting Impact
Status
• All 63 Mesaba Saab 340 Equipped
• All 63 aircraft delivering data
• Ongoing firmware improvements• Improved Data Quality
• Current Upgrade—Improved Winds Aloft
• GLFE has been extended to Jan. 15, 2006
Status
• Mesaba incentives being supported
• Incentives• OOOI and flight numbers
• System functional and working well
• Mesaba plans to activate in October
• Text messaging• AirDat contractual obligation to Mesaba
• Hardware design being developed
Data quality• Data quality good• Ongoing improvements in data quality
• Sensor firmware refinements• Ground based QA improvements
• Sensors can be re-calibrated by ground command• Algorithms include constants• Roughly 100 constants can be commanded
• IMPORTANT: systematic biases can be removed• Must be fully verified • Must be agreed to by participating parties
• Long-term drift can be corrected• Additional humidity sensors being evaluated for future
improvements
AirDat/NCAR impact studies
• Turbulence study ongoing• New sensor installed on UND Citation
• 10 hours of flight tests planned
• Statistical precipitation study
• Auto nowcast study• Impact on convective models
• 0-2 hour forecast
• CIP icing potential study
TAMDAR Data Volume and Simulation
• Radiosonde soundings (daily): 138• 69 sites• 2 launches per day
• Mesaba (GLFE) soundings: 820• 79 sites (airports)
• CONUS deployment (500+ aircraft) soundings: 5000+ • 300+ sites (airports)
• Simulation—illustrates potential impact
AirDat display work
• AirDat working on displays to increase usefulness of data to FAA for aviation safety
• Map display evolved from FSL display developed by Bill Moninger
• Enhanced with visual displays of icing and turbulence
• Downloadable application accessible from AirDat website
• Available to all users during GLFE
Presentation Topics
• Hardware Refinements• SPU Electronics
• Probe
• Considerations for High Speed Subsonic Aircraft
• Algorithm Refinements
• High Subsonic Wind Tunnel Testing
• First Air Boeing 727
Hardware Refinements--SPU Electronics
• Hardware Over temperature Protection for Probe Heater (currently only in software)
• Ice Accretion Rate Capability Added• Software Selection of Capacitive or MEMS RH Sensor• 4th Serial Port• Separate Heater Control for Rear Static Port Heater• Increased Current Capacity for GPS Power Supply• Software Switch for GPS Power
Hardware Refinements--Probe
• Different Optic Sleeve Material• Better Thermal Coefficient—closer to Aluminum• Better Adhesion
• Pitot Machined Into Cap for Better Heating—Previously It Was Screwed into Cap
• Improved Sensor Board Connector—new PCB layout and Sleeve Base
• Improved LED and Photo Diode Mounting for Easier Mfg.
• Removable “Plug” in Cap for Easier Field Replacement of Sensor Board—Removal of Cap no longer required.
Considerations for High Speed Subsonic Aircraft
• Probe Dimensions Constrained by Physical Limitations of Sensor Elements and Aircraft Mounting Options
• Shock Wave Begins to form on Sides of Probe at Approximately 0.7 Mach
• Static Port Reading Reads Too Low—Affects TAS Accuracy
• Pressure in Sensor Chamber No Longer Linear—Affects RH Correction
• Turbulence Noise Floor Rises
High Speed Subsonic Wind Tunnel Testing has Been Done
• Tests at Rolls-Royce Fully Instrumented Wind Tunnel
• Various Angle of Attacks
• Data used to Develop the Polynomial Curve Fits for the Static Pressure and the Sensor Chamber Pressure at High Mach
Preliminary Testing on First Air 727
• Data is Now Being Downlinked• Data Comparisons to Raobs Indicates Need for
Calibration• Calibration of TAS Required on Dedicated
Flight• Better Calibration Flight Will Occur After
More TAMDAR Data Fields are added by Skytrac
• Recommend Implementation of Ground QC Procedures
Presentation Topics
• Deployment Strategy• Product Development and Deployment
Plans: Next Generation TAMDAR Sensors • TAMDAR Sensor Test Activities• Air Carrier Incentives
• Current• Future
• Next Generation TAMDAR Baseline Router Configuration
Deployment Strategy• AirDat is focused on developing the capability to collect
and distribute TAMDAR data on a broad scale
• Translates into increased TAMDAR sensor deployments
• Current focus is on CONUS region• 63 Mesaba aircraft equipped to date
• In discussions with various air carriers to equip their fleets with TAMDAR sensors
• Range of aircraft platforms under consideration
• Small commuter aircraft (turboprop, regional jet)
• Other commercial airliners
• Helicopters
Product Development and Deployment Plans – Next Generation TAMDAR Sensors
• TAMDAR sensors with current capabilities available for deployment on new airline carrier opportunities today
• Development activities underway for next-generation TAMDAR sensor
• TAMDAR equipage incentive packages customized on a carrier-by-carrier basis
• Some air carriers are requesting that AirDat provide sophisticated support measures via TAMDAR
TAMDAR Sensor Test Activities• Wind tunnel and flight testing may be required to
support diversity of aircraft platforms under consideration for future deployments
• Wind tunnel testing• Verify TAMDAR sensor enhancements at high
subsonic speeds
• AirDat plans in place for design
of new wind tunnel
• Utilize commercially-available
facilities for short term needs
TAMDAR Sensor Test Activities
• Flight testing (Fixed-wing)• Required to verify TAMDAR sensor
enhancements at high subsonic speeds
• In discussions with Calspan (Lear 25 testbed)
• Exploring possibility of equipping NCAR GV aircraft for flight test/research support
• Flight testing (Rotary-wing)• Investigate characteristics of TAMDAR sensor in helo environment
• In discussions with UND regarding equipage of
Bell 206B JetRanger helicopter
Air Carrier Incentives (Current)• TAMDAR sensor equipment offered at no charge to
airlines
• Current TAMDAR capabilities• Weather observations
• OOOI reporting
• Global aircraft tracking
• Flight planning tools (AirMaps)
• Comprehensive logistical support for TAMDAR provided to airlines• manufacturing support
• inventory management
• field maintenance support
Air Carrier Incentives (Future)
• TAMDAR system will include router option, thus supporting the following additional capabilities: • Cockpit text messaging via tablet/EFB
• Backup voice
• Aircraft data monitoring
• Ice detection /alert to cockpit
• Wireless comms to cabin
• Wx radio
Next Generation TAMDARBaseline Router Configuration
Key Features of TAMDAR System:
• Voice integrated into aircraft communication system.• PDA as Flight Deck Interface can control voice and be used as text messaging platform• EFB can be used as text messaging platform and voice control.• GPS input for EFB can be through GPS receiver using AirDat antenna.• WSI/XM Weather Radio antenna available using AirDat antenna.• EFB can simultaneously be used for all other EFB applications.
Network Overview
Message Latency
GroundStation
Satellite InternetEmail Gateway
Internet
AIRDATData Center
Subscriber DataDistribution
OOOI TimeDistribution
GlobalSatelliteNetwork
Text MessagingDistribution
Data Delivery - Under 10 seconds
Data Processing - Under 1 second
Data Distribution - 1 to 10 seconds
Total Data Latency - 12 to 21 seconds
* Latency dependent on message priority and distribution method
Network Overview
Geographic diversity/redundancy is achieved via four linked data centers supported by four Internet providers
OC-3
OC
-3
Internet(AT&T)Internet
(TIME WARNER)
OC
-3
OC-3
Internet(SPRINT)
Internet(QWEST)
Dedicated OC-3 backboneconnects all four data centers
providing redundant,load-balancing internet bandwidth
Partial mesh design ensuresno network failure disables
any site
Dedicated OC-3 connectionbetween Raleigh and
Charlotte providesconnectivity for AIRDAT
disaster recovery systems
Each data center has adifferent Tier-1 Internet Service
Provider
Each data center has DS-3(45Mbps) internet access.
Internet access can beaggregated across all 4 data
centers
Charlotte, NCData Center
AIRDAT Backup
Tampa, FL
Data Center
Jacksonville, FL
Data Center
Raleigh, NCData Center
AIRDAT Primary
Network Overview
• TAMDAR data processing systems are redundant at the system and site level
• All critical systems have at least 1 hot-failover
• Failover is automatic and stateful in all cases
• All systems are managed 7/24/365 by AirDat Network Operations staff.
• All systems and services are monitored in real-time and trended for performance and uptime.
• 2nd-site redundant systems will continue to be enhanced as needed.
Partner Update – Peak-10
• AirDat partnered with Peak-10 a datacenter co-location provider with 5 datacenters on the east coast.
• AirDat has redundant hardware in 2 of these and leverages network resources from all 5.
• Peak-10 has proven 100% network uptime for the past 2 years.
• Peak-10 continues to have positive business growth in all 5 markets.
Partner Update – Iridium
• Iridium Satellite’s SBD service has been very stable through the GLFE.
• Many enhancements have been made in the past 12 months. More upgrades are scheduled through Q2 ’06 further increasing stability and redundancy.
• Iridium recognizes that data services is their largest growth opportunity.
Data Distribution
• Over 3.5M observations have been distributed during the ongoing GLFE
• This data is being distributed to over 30 recipients via FTP including:
• UK Met Office
• ECMWF (via UK Met Office)
• Canadian Met Office
• US Air Force
• US Army
• Fleet Numerical Modeling (US Navy)
TAMDAR System Management
• AirDat has developed systems to manage the inventory and lifecycle support of the TAMDAR system including sensor calibration parameters.
• A 7/24/365 helpdesk has been established to support the airline partners.
• Daily sensor status reports are sent daily to all AirDat employees.
System Development
• Jeff Urban and team continue to enhance the proprietary data processing applications.
• TAMDAR database structure is has been improved in the past 12 months to accommodate changing needs.
• AirMap application has been improved to include a Skew-T trending tool based on partner feedback.
Transmission of atmosphericobservations
Databasesstore observations,
quality analysis, and system control
information.
Delta Houndperforms automated quality analysis and
provides quality assessment tools.
Iridium
AirDat Personnel (meteorologists and engineers) evaluate TAMDAR health and
adjust filters.
TAMDAR Sensors
High quality data is extracted for use by operational
meteorologists, aviation support systems, and forecasting systems.
= Quality Assurance Components
AirDat TAMDAR System Overview
Real-Time Quality Filters
validate incoming observations and set data quality
flags.
Transmission of atmosphericobservations
Databasesstore observations,
quality analysis, and system control
information.
Delta Houndperforms automated quality analysis and
provides quality assessment tools.
Iridium
AirDat Personnel (meteorologists and engineers) evaluate TAMDAR health and
adjust filters.
TAMDAR Sensors
High quality data is extracted for use by operational
meteorologists, aviation support systems, and forecasting systems.
AirDat TAMDAR System Overview
Real-Time Quality Filters
validate incoming observations and set data quality
flags.
Transmission of atmosphericobservations
Databasesstore observations,
quality analysis, and system control
information.
Delta Houndperforms automated quality analysis and
provides quality assessment tools.
Iridium
AirDat Personnel (meteorologists and engineers) evaluate TAMDAR health and
adjust filters.
TAMDAR Sensors
High quality data is extracted for use by operational
meteorologists, aviation support systems, and forecasting systems.
AirDat TAMDAR System Overview
Real-Time Quality Filters
validate incoming observations and set data quality
flags.
Transmission of atmosphericobservations
Databasesstore observations,
quality analysis, and system control
information.
Delta Houndperforms automated quality analysis and
provides quality assessment tools.
Iridium
AirDat Personnel (meteorologists and engineers) evaluate TAMDAR health and
adjust filters.
TAMDAR Sensors
High quality data is extracted for use by operational
meteorologists, aviation support systems, and forecasting systems.
AirDat TAMDAR System Overview
Real-Time Quality Filters
validate incoming observations and set data quality
flags.
Transmission of atmosphericobservations
Databasesstore observations,
quality analysis, and system control
information.
Delta Houndperforms automated quality analysis and
provides quality assessment tools.
Iridium
AirDat Personnel (meteorologists and engineers) evaluate TAMDAR health and
adjust filters.
TAMDAR Sensors
High quality data is extracted for use by operational
meteorologists, aviation support systems, and forecasting systems.
AirDat TAMDAR System Overview
Real-Time Quality Filters
validate incoming observations and set data quality
flags.
Databasesstore observations,
quality analysis, and system control
information.
Delta Houndperforms automated quality analysis and
provides quality assessment tools.
Iridium
AirDat Personnel (meteorologists and engineers) evaluate TAMDAR health and
adjust filters.
High quality data isextracted for use.
AirDat Real-Time Quality Filters
TAMDAR Sensors
Quarantine Filters
Measurments Before QA:Banking, IAS, Alt’, Temp°C,Wind, RH1%, RH2%, etc…
Banking, IAS, Alt’, Temp°C,Wind, RH1%, RH2%, etc…
Measurement Assessment
Interdependency Checks
Banking, IAS, Alt’, Temp°C,Wind, RH1%, RH2%, etc…
Banking, IAS, Alt’, Temp°C,Wind, RH1%, RH2%, consensusRH%, etc… Alt’, Temp°C,
consensus RH%
AirDat Personnel (meteorologists and engineers) evaluate TAMDAR health and
adjust filters.
Databasesstore observations,
quality analysis, and system control
information.
Delta Hound
Key Elements of AirDat Delta Hound
QA & Data Exploration Tools
Email Alerts
Dog WhistleApplication
HTML Reports
Automated Quality Analysis
· Observation problem detection
· Adjacent observation tests
· Health computations
· Daily problem statistics
· Relative humidity statistics
· Comparisons to model predictions
AirDat RTFDDA Modeling System
Most Delta Hound Analysis Reports can be viewed using a web browser.This popular report provides a summary of probe health and problems by day.
0%
100%
Example Report – Flight profile provides a quick overview ofconditions encountered by a TAMDAR during a given time period.
Example Report – Temperature scatter plots let us quickly see how well temperature measurements correspond to short-term predictions.
Example Report – showing the details of how specific measurementscompare to short-term model predictions.
Example Report – Relative humidity statistics and a scatter plot depicting measurement agreement for the two TAMDAR humidity sensors.
Example Report – Relative humidity statistics and a scatter plot depicting measurement slight disagreement for the two TAMDAR humidity sensors.
The Dog Whistle program provides high performance access to important quality assessment information (in addition to the various HTML reports).
Key Activities of AirDat QA Personnel
Meteorologists & Engineers use Delta Hound to: · Monitor data and evaluate
TAMDAR sensors· Investigate alerts issued by
Delta Hound· Adjust quarantine filters to
accept or reject specific types of atmospheric measurements from specific sensors
· Issue maintenance orders
Transmission of atmosphericobservations
Databasesstore observations,
quality analysis, and system control
information.
Delta Houndperforms automated quality analysis and
provides quality assessment tools.
Iridium
TAMDAR Sensors
High quality data is extracted for use by operational
meteorologists, aviation support systems, and forecasting systems.
Real-Time Quality Filters
validate incoming observations and set data quality
flags.
Adjust Filters
Issue maintenance orders
Other Reference DataRTFDDA, Aviation Weather, RaObs,RUC predictions.
Example Watch Dog Alerts Report – Points out the most suspicioussituations that AirDat personnel need to investigate.
Alternatively, many issues are spotted by skimmingthrough the probe health charts or daily summaries.
100%
0%
Example – the Daily Health and Problems report shows that the declinein health was due to a problem with receiving the aircraft heading.
100%
0%
Transmission of atmosphericobservations
Databasesstore observations,
quality analysis, and system control
information.
Delta Houndperforms automated quality analysis and
provides quality assessment tools.
Iridium
AirDat Personnel (meteorologists and engineers) evaluate TAMDAR health and
adjust filters.
TAMDAR Sensors
High quality data is extracted for use by operational
meteorologists, aviation support systems, and forecasting systems.
Future Delta Hound Enhancements
Real-Time Quality Filters
validate incoming observations and set data quality
flags.
Other Reference DataRaObs, ACARS, RUC &
RTFDDA predictions.
Adjust Filters