VCS 3020CCS – Voice Conferencing and Control

In 2010, Frequentis delivered the new Conference Control System (CCS) for the Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) in Warrenton, VA . The system is based on the successful 3020X conferencing engine, which has also been delivered to over 18 space operations centers operated by NASA in the US and abroad. The system has a capacity of up to 200 ATCSCC specialists and up to 8,000 voice channels. It enables air traffic control specialists (ATCS) and supervisory air traffic control specialists (SATCS) to coordinate with national and international aviation and weather organizations to establish and maintain:

• Preset conferences – Conference participants are pre-determined. When initiated, the system places simultaneous calls to those participants. The participant list may be modified before placing calls. The system will redial participants that do not answer.
• Meet me conferences – Conference participants are pre-determined. When initiated, the system permits participants to call in to the conference. Each participant must enter a valid PIN to be connected with the conference. Specialists may add participants without using a PIN.
• Ad-hoc conferences – When initiated, the system permits participants to call in to the conference. A common passcode for all participants is entered by the specialist when creating the conference. Each participant must enter the passcode to be connected with the conference. Specialists may add participants without using a passcode.
• General conferences – These are dynamic conferences where callers or called parties are added and dropped under control of the specialist hosting the conference.

The 3020X CCS enables all National Airspace System (NAS) users to share information and collaborate on plans which, when implemented, will result in maximum efficiency (e.g. minimizing time loss, aircraft fuel usage, and aircraft waiting time for landing and departure clearance).

The system supports the Traffic Management System (TMS) / Central Flow Control Service (CFCS). It provides sophisticated connection, switching, and conferencing capabilities for voice communications supporting air traffic management coordination between the FAA facilities, commercial airline companies, and other associated organizations.

Resolutions of specific weather and operational concerns are facilitated daily by the ATCSCC National System Strategy Team (NSST) during regular “Meet Me” conferences held every two hours. Planned initiatives form the Operational Plan (OP), which along with the associated periodic TEL-CON has become a major initiative in the FAA’s continuing effort to reduce delays and ensure all interested parties have an opportunity to contribute to the decision making process in traffic flow management. Participation in this conference exceeds 300 members.