As global air travel demand surges, KVM systems emerge as a crucial solution for modernizing air traffic control operations and preparing for future technological advancements
The air travel industry is poised for unprecedented growth in the coming years. According to trade association Airlines for America, US airlines are expected to transport 271 million passengers worldwide from June 1 to August 31, marking a 6.3% increase from the previous summer.
Globally, airlines are projected to carry 4.7 billion passengers this year, as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasted.
This surge in air traffic presents significant challenges for the ATC industry, necessitating scalable and future-proof solutions. ATC operators must contend with technological and operational hurdles, including extreme weather conditions, integration of new technologies, ergonomics, operator fatigue, and facility space constraints.
Sharing and streamlining
Keyboard, Video, and Mouse (KVM) technology has emerged as a key component in preparing the ATC sector to face these challenges. KVM systems extend or switch keyboard, video, and mouse signals, connecting users to multiple and often remote servers, PCs, virtual machines, and cameras. This technology enables the invisible sharing of resources, streamlining processes and optimizing visualization.
In control towers, where air traffic controllers require absolute concentration, KVM technology offers several benefits. It eliminates the noise and heat generated by high-performance computers and enables swift switching to backup systems in case of failure. KVM increases controller efficiency by reducing desktop clutter and allowing one keyboard and mouse to operate multiple systems simply by sliding the mouse between them.
KVM installations in air traffic control centers prioritize reliability. High-performance KVM delivers network-based system monitoring, and an intuitive display of information on KVM uptime, active connections, and users. It also provides alerts and facilitates the seamless transfer of information from operator desks to shared video walls and vice versa.
This technology enables comprehensive monitoring of all systems, sharing of computer operations, and recording of tower operations by transmitting video and audio to recording devices.
Airport-wide support
Beyond control towers, KVM installations support various airport operations, including passenger check-in, baggage handling, and information kiosks. The technology enhances resilience and provides secure access for authorized personnel linked to IT systems. KVM-enabled centers are easy to set up and relocate, supporting virtual machines and improving employee communication by allowing users to force screen contents from one monitor to another or to a display wall.
Different types of KVM systems cater to specific needs. Desktop KVM allows local sharing of keyboard and mouse across multiple computers. KVM over IP supports thousands of computers across a campus, city, or country. Certified Secure KVMs protect vital computers in sensitive environments.
Meeting future challenges
Looking ahead, the ATC industry must embrace scalable and flexible solutions to remain competitive. Emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are set to revolutionize ATC operations by providing predictive analytics, optimizing traffic flow, and enhancing decision-making processes. KVM systems can integrate with these technologies to provide real-time data and insights, improving overall efficiency and safety.
Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) technologies offer potential for enhancing training and simulation for ATC controllers. By integrating these technologies with KVM systems, controllers can experience immersive training environments, improving their skills and preparedness for real-world scenarios.
Cloud-based solutions present opportunities for scalability and flexibility, allowing ATC operations to access powerful computing resources without significant on-site infrastructure. KVM systems that integrate with cloud platforms can enhance data storage, processing, and accessibility.
The challenges posed by increasing air traffic, cybersecurity threats, and technological obsolescence require innovative solutions. IP KVM solutions provide a scalable, flexible, and secure approach to modernizing ATC systems. By leveraging advancements in AI, VR/AR, and cloud computing, IP KVM solutions can ensure that ATC operations remain efficient, safe, and prepared for future challenges.
As the air travel industry continues to grow, the importance of robust, adaptable ATC systems becomes increasingly evident. KVM technology stands at the forefront of this evolution, offering solutions that address current challenges in ATC sector while paving the way for future innovations. By investing in these technologies today, the ATC industry will be able to build a more resilient and adaptable infrastructure that is capable of meeting the demands of tomorrow‘s more demanding air travel landscape.
USE CASE: ATC CONTROL CENTERS DEPLOY EMERALD KVM OVER IP
In one use case, a customer was tasked with updating and unifying remote system access (KVM extension) in two Air Traffic Control Centres (ATCCs) that monitor the air space of a European country.
The customer’s previous extension system was a hodgepodge of equipment sourced from different manufacturers, all of which were not necessarily compatible with each other. Service personnel struggled to maintain and secure the non-standardized KVM extenders and other IT equipment. Control room operators needed reliable 24/7 fail-safe remote access. Simplifying the training of operators and service technicians and ensuring a standardized solution became top priorities.
In the resulting Emerald IP KVM setup, all systems are located away from the control room in a safe data center. Old and new systems are combined under one platform and can be easily accessed by the operators. Administrators can configure and manage the system either from their workspace or using their laptop and specialized software from anywhere.
The ATCC control room features an open office design with multiple desks and monitors. Each operator desk is connected to the remote system in a redundant configuration. Operators experience error-free and fast switching simply by moving the mouse to the new target monitor.
The customer now has a standardized, secure, and redundant solution to support the ATCCs. The system is easy to understand and use. The solution’s IP-based architecture is primed for future expansion.
KVM PROVIDES FOCUS FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS
Black Box designs, sources and implements high-performance solutions for the most demanding Air Traffic Control Centres and Airport network applications. Its KVM (Keyboard-Video-Mouse) and professional AV solutions help coordinate flight departures and arrivals and control overflying traffic which requires high operational safety and reliability of all IT systems. The company’s equipment is focused on increasing operational efficiency, providing centralized management, and reducing manpower demands.
Real-time ATC data distribution from take-off to landing is crucial for safe air operations. For this to happen, ATCOs follow regular patterns and develop routine scans, gathering information in a structured and consistent manner from various screens.
Due to the large data volumes processed by multiple PCs and servers, employees face challenges in focusing on their work as they might get distracted by fan noise and heat emission.
KVM technology allows any air ATCO to access multiple computers through one single set of keyboard/video/mouse, committing to a safer environment with increased operational efficiency and enhanced situational awareness. In addition to increasing operator´s working ergonomics, KVM end-to-end systems securely transmit uncompressed video (pixel by pixel, no dropped frames) and peripheral signals over distances up to 80km, which can help ATC organisations to securely locate critical computing assets away from user desktops.
KVM frees up space in the control room while keeping the environment undisturbed by computer emissions such as heat and noise, isolating all computing resources in a climate-controlled, secure server room. This allows controllers to focus on executing their demanding tasks without any interruptions.