58 -- D-ATIS TOWER SYSTEM

Please see questions and answers listed below. Question 1a) What specific functionality does the multiple radio interface unit provide? This provides us with the capability to broadcast the message on VHF and UHF radios. Question 1b) What does the multiple radio interface unit i) interface with and ii) the associated interface requirements? Mr. Barrow (2-1095) from radio maintenance would know the requirements but it interfaces with our radios that we currently use. M-Audio Filter Question 2a) What specific functionality does the M-Audio Filter provide? I am only guessing on this but I am sure it has to do with filtering out the background noise while making voice recordings to make it easier for the computer to convert human voice to synthesized voice. Question 2b) What does the M-Audio Filter i) interface with and ii) the associated interface requirements? The equipment will interface with ARINC?s main computer system that runs the D-ATIS. On-Track Question 3a) What specific functionality does On-Track provide? I don?t know what this is so you would have to ask ARINC. Question 3b) What does the On-Track i) interface with and ii) the associated interface requirements? Microphone Question 4a) What does the microphone i) interface with and ii) the associated interface requirements? The microphone is connected to the voice recorder which is part of the base system in our facility. Question 4b) What needs to be recorded? Our airfield is ever changing and what is in the existing software will need to change with it. This gives us the capability to add information to the existing database within minutes of the change. Without it we would have to send our updates to ARINC, they would have to develop the software patch, send it to us via mail for installation which would take days if not weeks based on their workload. Reference Manuals 24 Hour/7 Days A Week Service Support (1-800 Number) DATISLINK (Automated Transfer Of D-ATIS Messages To Central D-ATIS Server) Question 5a) What is DATISLINK? This is a national server that sends our airport information out on a network to where the aircraft can print out our information versus the pilots having to wait until they get within 100 miles or so and listen to our voice broadcast. Question 5bi) Is there a specific Central D-ATIS Server(s) to which the d-ATIS information must be provided? If so, please identify. Yes, this system is provided by ARINC and is based out of Scott AFB, IL. Question 5bii) Is the Central D-ATIS Server where aircraft ACARS d-ATIS requests for Eglin d-ATIS are to be routed and the source of the corresponding ACARS d-ATIS response to the aircraft? I believe so. Question 5biii) What are the interface requirements between the D-ATIS Tower System and the Central D-ATIS Server? I am not sure of this except for needing LAN connection at the speed of 10/100 MBPS.. Question 5c) What are the connectivity requirements between the D-ATIS Tower System and the Central D-ATIS Server? This is a LAN based system. We just need 10/100 MBPS connectivity which already exists in the facility. Question 5d) Are the connectivity requirements to be covered under separate contract? No, it is in the original contract. One Year Warranty Including Cold Standby And 2 Voice Library Changes Question 6) What is the voice library requirement at the onset? Local area information. When the team comes down for the site survey they?ll have a list of all of our airfield information and our NOTAMS/Airfield advisories to build into the software. With the voice recorder, we are able to add new information over time to build into the library. Recorder Must Meet Minimum Requirements For Connectivity With IDS-5 For Automatic Updates Of METAR Information. Question 7a) What are the recording requirements for the d-ATIS Tower System? Each system has a different maximum recording time. We require a minimum of 30 ? 45 seconds. If the broadcasts get any longer than that it becomes way to long for the pilot to listen to and fly the plane. I am not sure what the max is but most systems record up to 90 seconds. Question 7b) What are the connectivity requirements between the d-ATIS Tower System and the IDS-5? It has to integrate with IDS-5 so it can download the weather data directly into the D-ATIS program to help reduce controller workload. Question 7c) What are the interface requirements between the d-ATIS Tower System and the IDS-5? E.g. what format is the METAR information provided, what other information and format, if any is sent from the IDS-5 to the d-ATIS Tower system, what information and format, if any does the d-ATIS Tower System need to send to the IDS-5? The IDS-5 and the D-ATIS work in the same format using METARs. If there is a format or item that the D-ATIS doesn?t recognize, the controller can choose the information needed from a drop down menu. The D-ATIS system actually recognizes AFTN, AWOS/ASOS, and IDS weather updates. This basically covers every type of format out there. Question 7d) Is the d-ATIS Tower System display used for the ATIS controller interface for confirming the ATIS content such that the IDS-5 is not used for the ATIS controller interface? If not, please clarify. Yes the D-ATIS is used to confirm the content that is downloaded via IDS-5 prior to broadcasting the message to the pilots. Must Also Include ACARS Data Link For ATIS Cockpit Display Or Printout. Question 8i) Please clarify this requirement relative to what the d-ATIS Tower System must support. Is the requirement for the d-ATIS Tower System to receive d-ATIS requests sent from flight crews via ACARS and be able to send the corresponding response in ARINC 620 ACARS ground/ground format? If the Central D-ATIS Server is to provide this functionality, then, it is not clear why the d-ATIS Tower System requires this functionality also. Question 8ii) If the d-ATIS Tower System is to provide such ACARS d-ATIS request/response processing, will the connectivity requirements for connecting to ACARS networks be covered under a separate contract? The D-ATIS system is primarily used to reduce controller workload by downloading weather information from IDS-5, implementing it into the broadcast message in the correct format with all the required airfield information. Once the download is complete, all the controller has to do is listen to the new message to ensure its correctness and then broadcast the message over our VHF and UHF radios by clicking one button on the screen. In the past we have had problems with pilots understanding the entire ATIS message because of controllers talking too fast or because of a person?s accent. The clarity in ARINC?s synthesized voice has greatly reduced a pilots need to listen to the broadcast more than once and the complaints have become nil at bases with this system. The old way took a controller an average of 3 ? 5 minutes to make this broadcast keeping their eyes in the cab environment and off of the airfield. With the D-ATIS, the controller should only spend approximately 1-2 minutes dealing with the computer and then the rest of the time looking out the window at the airfield. This doesn?t seem like much but every minute counts when it comes to the safety of the aircraft. The ACARS is important for aircraft who have the cockpit capability to download/print out the information prior to their departure. They can use this information when deciding divert bases or to help pre-plan their approach into the airfield based on the reported weather no matter where they are. The Air Force is equipping its planes with the ACARS system to help relieve a pilot?s workload in the cockpit by moving in the direction of electronic means versus manual means of obtaining information.