JANS to install TDU-14 type ATC information display system

JANS, the Japanese Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), has signed a contract with NEC Corporation for the manufacture of the Total Information Display Unit (TDU)-14 type ATC information display system.

JANS, Japan’s ANSP and department of Japan Civil Aviation Bureau, has agreed a contract with NEC enabling the upgrade of current ATC information display systems over a period of time. JANS has contracted NEC to manufacture and deliver the equipment for 6 Terminal Radar facilities, 9 Airport Tower Control facilities, and 5 FSC Flight Service Centres (FSC).

The ATC information display system is a safe and efficient system supporting critical control operations and providing information such as weather, VFR information, NOTAM, and other essential information for ATC operations to air traffic controllers located at Air Traffic Management Centres (ATMC), Area Control Centres (ACC), Terminal Radar facilities, Airport Tower Control facilities, and Flight Service Centres.

TDU Terminal unit

The ANSP currently adopts two types of ATC information display systems, the Terminal Data Display Unit and the En-route Data Processing Unit. The Terminal Data Display Unit is installed at 14 Terminal Radar facilities, 21 Airport Tower Control facilities, and 7 FSC. The En-route Data Processing Unit is installed at the ATMC, and 4 ACCs.

JANS new ATC information display system to improve visibility and efficiency for air traffic operations

The TDU-14 type of ATC information display system integrates functional features of the current four separate systems into a single interface. The system helps to improve visibility and efficiency for air traffic operations with ever increasing traffic volumes.

Hitoshi Ishizaki, Director General of JANS, said: “By consolidating multiple features, such as NOTAM, weather, wind shear or others, which previously used to be provided by separate systems, we are able to not only reduce the overall cost, but also contribute to human error prevention by unifying HMI (Human Machine Interface).”

Masahiro Takahashi, Deputy General Manager, Transportation, City and Infrastructure Division at NEC Corporation, said: “In preparations before the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in 2020, we expect a significant increase in air traffic volume. I am sure that the TDU system will greatly contribute in dealing with this challenge by strengthening the operational efficiency of ATC in Japan.”

Display image of airport operation

Display image of Area Control Centre operation