The RTCA Concept of Operations envisions a long-term system architecture based on a common information pool (SWIM), intelligent agents and SYSCO automated coordination and negotiation.

Recognizing the continuing need for simulation tools

To support planning and evaluation of future concepts, the FAA’s Office of System Development (ASD-100) has sponsored the development or extension of a software toolset which is able, today, to model cornerstone elements of the long-term TSD architecture in a fast-time simulation environment. Intelligent agents can add strategic flow and decision support domain behaviors and plug-in components (allowing aircraft to follow different rules, for example) are supported.

Existing toolset components

•SYSCO: SIMC, a manager and communications layer supporting information publication and subscription;

•SWIM: CAISS, a highly efficient common information pool;

•ATC: RAMS Plus, a recognized ATC model; and

•ASAS: AFDM, an autonomous aircraft model with ADS-B, onboard conflict detection and pair-wise separation and trajectory optimization.

Flight Object Management System (FOMS) model

To more fully represent the anticipated architecture, a Flight Object Management System (FOMS) model is being completed. FOMS manages a flight object for every flight, monitoring and transitioning FO ownership through all flight phases. FOMS provides profile query, evaluation and alerting services to all NAS domains and agents as well as to the user (airline operations center or pilot). In the event of competing profile requests from different agents – for example, an immediate controller intervention occurring simultaneously with a TFM delay or user optimization request – FOMS will accept the highest priority request and inform all other agents. Client agents may register their volume of interest (VOI), clearance/constraint rules and information requirements and FOMS will identify flights and trial plans using those volumes and publish the requested information (i.e. crossing times or partial profile). Whenever a flight, a constrained NAS resource or VOI changes, FOMS ensures the synchronization of flight and VOI crossings for all NAS and NAS-user domains.