Keyboard Video Mouse solutions for modern air traffic control operations enhance usabilty and safety
In ATC, user-friendliness and safety are often seen as conflicting. Systems are intended to be intuitive and easy to use, aiming to reducing air traffic controllers’ workload and increasing their efficiency. However, these systems must also consider strict protocols, complex surveillance systems, and redundant mechanisms to minimize errors and ensure the highest safety standards. On one hand, intuitive and user-friendly operation of the systems is essential for smooth air traffic flow. On the other hand, safety can never be compromised, especially in aviation. But is it possible to achieve a balance between usability and safety?
For air traffic control operators, the increasing complexity of technical systems poses a major challenge. They must be able to access information quickly and efficiently and manage complex situations without being distracted from operating the systems. At the same time, they need to minimise security risks and identify potential threats early on to ensure safe air traffic. The use of KVM from the German manufacturer Guntermann & Drunck (G&D) can help to find the right balance.
Usability in ATC
In ATC, usability is crucial for efficient operations. Using KVM solutions (Keyboard, Video and Mouse), well-established in air traffic control IT infrastructures, can greatly enhance efficiency. Whether in towers, remote towers, or air traffic control centers, KVM devices enable flexible IT access and comprehensive redundancy concepts. By extending and distributing computer signals, KVM systems allow virtually latency-free remote operation of computers with best video quality. Access to these computers can be managed in real-time from control rooms, air traffic control centers, or remote towers, making KVM indispensable in mission-critical areas like airspace surveillance. KVM solutions enhance efficiency by allowing control of various systems with a single keyboard and mouse, reducing peripherals and simplifying handling. Furthermore, displaying and real-time operation of various data sources on a single monitor enable a fast response in dynamic situations. By consolidating information on one or multiple screens, users can immediately access relevant data, thereby enhancing operational efficiency. These systems optimize the IT infrastructure and create ideal working conditions for ATCOs and technicians. Additionally, KVM facilitates separation of teams, enhances collaboration among team members, and supports shift models.
Multi-viewing and usability
The use of multi-viewing tools ensures even greater usability. The need for separate monitors for each process becomes obsolete. Integrated or stand-alone modules combine multiple views of sources and keyboard-mouse interactivity for one or multiple users, allowing easy display, arrangement, and operation of multiple video signals on a single large monitor or multiple displays. ATCOs thus have the option of individually configuring their workplaces with different sources and, for example, dividing it into work and monitoring areas. The modified arrangements, which can be saved and recalled as presets, create optimized and adaptable working positions.
In addition to the clear display of all processes on a single monitor, operators simultaneously benefit from integrated and flexible access to all necessary data. The display of multiple sources on a large monitor, enabling near latency-free operation from a single console, facilitates work in towers, digital towers, or ATC control rooms. Furthermore, the high image quality and unlimited flexibility in arranging sources provides added value. This enables an ergonomic setup of work and monitoring areas on screens.
A solution for digital towers
As tower digitalization advances, suitable solutions are provided for these complex applications, offering vast amounts of information to the ATCO. To avoid data overload, weather information, flight schedules, and radar information can be consolidated and digitalized. This promotes clarity and facilitates decision-making in critical situations. The integration of various technologies enables the digital replacement of the visual contact from the tower, allowing air traffic to be monitored from anywhere. Support from camera technology allows ATCOs to perform their tasks more efficiently, compensating for the direct view from the tower. With video processing solutions, a video wall and up to 27 video inputs can be managed, providing a panoramic view.
Flexible workplace solutions
In ATC and other critical environments, efficient and flexible multi-viewing tools can solve current challenges and increase efficiency and comfort. G&D’s new DynamicWorkplace-CON is a multi-viewing tool specifically designed for integration into KVM matrix installations in air traffic control. Its seamless integration enables a flexible arrangement of computer sources for intuitive processes and efficient workflows. The multi-viewing function allows up to eight computer sources to be displayed and operated simultaneously on four monitors in real time, providing flexibility and control during airspace monitoring. The integrated window manager ensures free positioning and arranging of windows. The outstanding image quality on up to four monitors with 4K @ 60Hz resolution creates an efficient and ergonomic working environment that supports ATCOs in their demanding work.
Another tool in the G&D portfolio, the PersonalWorkplace-Controller, integrates multi-viewing control with keyboard-mouse interactivity for one or more operators or video walls. Via local workplace integration, the device ensures increased efficiency and security by providing users with flexible access to physical sources and streams. The PersonalWorkplace-Controller’s flexible content transfer to various output devices is particularly useful in environments like air traffic control.
Security in ATC
Despite the strict regulations and high security standards in the aviation industry, air traffic control service providers and airports are increasingly facing new challenges. As digitalization progresses and dependence on digital systems grows, Cybersecurity measures and redundancy are becoming crucial for maintaining system integrity and stability. In view of this development, the focus is on security and the development of a reliable IT infrastructure.
Continuous security and efficiency
To ensure system availability and reliability, KVM solutions are used to efficiently extend and distribute standardized computer signals. Locating systems in specially secured areas separates operators from computers, thereby minimising the risk of infiltration. KVM allows users to access these computer sources in real time and securely without having to physically switch between devices.
In ATC, technical faults or failures pose serious risks. To address this, redundant systems with backup infrastructures and processes can be implemented to minimize failures and ensure safety of air traffic.
“The remote digital tower environment presents unique challenges as controllers must be trained to handle multiple airports”
KVM solutions ensure uninterrupted operations by setting up redundancies. In the event of a failure or malfunction of the primary system, an automatic and immediate switchover to the redundant system occurs without data being lost or operations being interrupted. For the user, this happens without interruption or delay in image transmission. Operators in the control room can always work reliably and safely, and permanent monitoring, control and management of processes is guaranteed.
KVM systems as protection against cyber attacks
Along with the risk of technical faults or failures, there is also the risk of cyberattacks, which can have severe consequences. The increasing networking of aircraft, airports and air traffic control systems has made the industry more vulnerable to cyberattacks. ATC relies on a multitude of digital systems that are crucial for navigation, communication and safety. A successful cyberattack on these systems could have serious consequences for passenger safety and airport operations.
To counter this threat, air navigation service providers and airports are increasingly investing in cybersecurity measures. These include the implementation of firewalls, intrusion detection systems and encryption technologies to protect sensitive data and systems.
In networked environments, a single cyberattack can impact multiple systems. Redundant hardware systems can reduce the risk of widespread attacks and enhance overall system security. KVM systems are crucial for this, as they allow access to hardware sources without a data connection, offering significant cybersecurity benefits. This limits software attacks on the target point. KVM merely establishes a connection to the interfaces of the systems without enabling a direct data connection between them.
If the IT infrastructure is operated via KVM solutions, high security standards in the transmission technology and intelligent security features provide additional protection. Two-factor authentication (2FA), for example, helps reduce cyberattack risks.
Air traffic control systems contain highly sensitive information and control crucial processes for the safety of air traffic. The implementation of 2-FA ensures that only authorized users have access to these systems. Additionally, 2FA protects against data misuse, as the function serves as an additional security factor for accessing the systems in the event of a compromised password. It also secures remote access so that the system cannot be compromised by unauthorized persons.
KVM unites usability and security
Integrating KVM technology into ATC ensures both usability and security are addressed. KVM solutions make complex systems intuitive to use, enhancing efficiency. This technology allows flexible arrangement of computer modules and real-time display of various data sources on a single monitor, enabling rapid responses and improved operational efficiency.
The need for separate monitors is eliminated by multi-viewing tools such as the DynamicWorkplace-CON, which creates an optimized and adaptable working environment.
KVM technology provides a double layer of protection against cyber-attacks by implementing redundancy at hardware level and using security standards such as encryption and two-factor authentication. These measures ensure the integrity and stability of air traffic control systems while minimizing potential threats. The deployment of KVM solutions allows uninterrupted operation in the event of failures and effectively limits software attacks.
This provides air traffic controllers with fast access to all relevant information while maintaining the highest safety standards. This technology demonstrates that balancing user-friendliness with security is achievable, with both aspects being equally considered and optimized.