FlexIDS - Integrated Display Systems
FlexIDS is All Weather, Inc.'s latest generation of Integrated Display Systems (IDS) -- designed for Air Traffic Controllers and other critical decision makers in the ATC environment. Prior to integrated display systems, numerous individual display heads were required for weather, traffic, and surveillance data. FlexIDS graphically displays and integrates onto a single system all of your ATC products. The integration allows synergy between systems that was previously impossible, while lowering costs by eliminating the numerous display subsystems throughout your facilities. FlexIDS also includes complete monitoring and administration, all while providing platform flexibility that is inherent with our completely cross-platform package.
Integrated Display Systems
Integrated Display Systems
- Complete integration of legacy displays
- Supports all modern operating systems
- Real-time monitoring built-in
- Full administration through the network
FlexIDS is a state-of-the-art, next-generation too...
FlexIDS is a state-of-the-art, next-generation toolkit that provides real-time data collection and display dissemination. Using the display adaptation tool, FlexBuilder, FlexIDS also allows facilities to completely design and build display pages to suit their individual needs.
FlexIDS can run on a standalone computer, or on multiple computers in a LAN or LAN/WAN environment. It can display both static and dynamic data from any system that has a defined interface protocol. A touch screen friendly design allows movement between important data display screens with a single touch, while still allowing the use of all standard input devices.
Sectionals, enroute charts, approach plates, surface analysis charts, real time radar, braking action displays, wake turbulence separation timers and a multitude of others, are all instantly available at the touch of a finger. FlexIDS is the most powerful knowledge management tool for air traffic controllers available today.
Any data source that has a definable interface can be integrated into the AWI FlexIDS display system making it easy to combine data from critical data sources.
Specifications
Operating Systems
- Microsoft Windows 7 & 8 (32 and/or 64-bit)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008R2 (64-bit)
- Mac OS X
- Linux (Ubuntu, RedHat, others upon request)
- Unix (Solaris, AIX, HP-UX)
- Mixed OS networks fully supported
External Interfaces
- Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS)
- Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS)
- Automated Weather Sensor System (AWSS)
- Digital Altimeter Setting Interface (DASI)
- Flight Data Input/Output (FDIO)
- Inter-Range Instrumentation Group time codes (IRIG-B)
- Network Time Protocol (NTP)
- Ribbon Display Terminal (RBDT showing LLWAS, TDWR, WSP, etc)
- Runway Visual Range (RVR)
- Stand Alone Weather Sensors (SAWS)
- Weather And Radar Processor (WARP)
- Wind Measuring Equipment (WME)
- Wake Turbulence Mitigation for Departures (WTMD)
- Internet Data Sources
- User Defined Sources
FlexIDS Software Components
Interface Processor
The Interface Processor handles all of the interfaces assigned to a system. When a message comes in from one of our outside systems, the Processor parses and makes it ready for distribution of the FlexIDS Network. It then hands the message off to the Communications Broker for transmission. The Interface Processor can also pass the raw input data to FlexMon for trouble-shooting.
The Interface Processor handles all data moving to or from any of the external interfaces to FlexIDS. The processor has no user interface. It is configured using FlexAdmin and watched over by FlexMon. When FlexIDS is initialized on a work station, the Interface Processor looks to see if it is configured to run. If configured as a Primary Interface Processor (PIP), the system immediately begins its processing tasks. If the configuration calls for a Secondary Interface Processor (SIP), the Interface Processor will remain in standby, in case of a hardware failure on the PIP.
FlexDB
FlexDB is used for distributed data storage on all servers and workstations. Much like the Interface Processor, FlexDB has no user interface, but is configured and monitored via FlexAdmin and FlexMon. FlexDB stores all of the data types handled by FlexIDS. This includes not only dynamic and static display pages and weather products, but also FlexIDS configuration. Everything from interface configurations to user accounts, resides in FlexDB, and is kept fully redundant on the stations in the Flex network.
A SQL compliant relational database with full transaction support is at the core of FlexDB. FlexDB has extensive support for memory caching, multi-threading, backup, data recovery and logging. While many databases need constant costly maintenance, FlexDB is different. FlexDB is essentially self-maintaining, allowing for a 100% up environment, and no maintenance worries for the administration team.
Communication Broker
The Communication Broker is the core of the FlexIDS real-time technology. It controls the flow of data between the FlexIDS components and the FlexIDS Network. Communication Broker sends messages to all connected members of the FlexIDS network at the same time. Critical updates need only be snet once. The FlexIDS netowrk is fast, efficient, and flexible. Large items like images, are automatically compressed before sending, and all items are sent in the most efficient manner, stripping out anything tha tis not critical for the task.
A key element handled by the Communication Broker is prioritization. Data goes out in order of priority to ensure important data is sent right away. IF some data is missed, the Communication Broker re-sends it.
There are three types of data handled by the Communication Broker - dynamic, static, and configuration.
- Dynamic data usually originates at sensors, making its way through the Interface Processor to the FlexNetwork via the Communication Broker.
- Static data often takes the same path as dynamic data, but using a lower transport priority, and with a far lower transmission frequency.
- Configuration data is entered by systems administrators, and is stored redundantly on each FlexDB to maximize up-time of the overall system.
Telemetry Log
The Telemetry Log subsystem handles logging for FlexIDS. All user activities, including alert acknowledgements, page views, page edits, page uploads, user log-ins, and failed log-ins, can be recorded. The Telemetry Log can also capture all data flowing to or from the FlexIDS machines. The Telemetry Log subsystem is always active, and requires no maintenance. The Telemetry Log has no graphical user interface (GUI), and is configured using FlexAdmin. An administrative user can use the FlexMon to view the logged files and generate reports from them.
Much like a 'Black Box' in an aircraft, the Telemetry Log is usually ignored until its critical purpose comes inot play. If there is an incident requiring investigation, or questionable data flowing through the system, the logs are always the place to go to sort out the issue with confident authority.
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