ATC Modernization Forum in Memphis

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The Memphis Air Traffic Control Tower
facility will host a live, side-by-side
demonstration of current and future
control tower surface situation display
capabilities.

Participants will see a comparison of
today's existing Memphis Airport Surface
Detection Equipment Model 3 (ASDE-3)
radar system, and the next
generation ASDE Model X (ASDE-X) system,
which incorporates new multilateration
and ADS-B technology. The new system
provides significant improvements,
including the provision of target track
identification and aircraft
data block information to tower
controllers that was unavailable
with previous radar-based systems.
Engineers familiar with the
display equipment will be able to
provide background information
as well as answer questions on the new
systems.

As a member of the FAA Government
Industry Partnership team, FedEx has
played a major role in getting
the LAAS implemented at Memphis. The
installation of the Honeywell/Pelorus
SLS-3000 LAAS ground station was
completed in February 2001, and
Memphis is the first airport where both
LAAS airborne and ground equipment are
co-located. A FedEx Boeing 727-200
aircraft is equipped with Rockwell
Collins multi-mode receivers that use
the signals broadcast by the
Honeywell/Pelorus ground station.
Participants will be able to view the
landing of the FedEx B727 equipped with
the LAAS technology, as well as observe
the ground station during a tour. The
initial flight activities are providing
valuable operational flight information
needed for system
validation.