Schmid ICS 200/60 ATC Simulator

Copperchase and Troy Systems present the ICS 200/60 ATC Simulator for the Schmid 200/60 VCCS systems installed at various airports throughout the world. Screen presentation, alert sounds and headset interface panels for trainee positions very accurately emulate the real Schmid components used and the instructor/pseudo-pilot positions are modified only to the extent necessary to perform their specialised functions


The ICS 200/60 Simulator consists of a highly distributed system in which control is shared amongst a number of computers, each of which supports one operating position. Physical interfaces to real communications lines (Telephone, R/T) are replaced with emulations within the position computers.
Each position (Operator, Instructor, Pilot) is supported by a single, special-purpose PC. The primary human interface with the VCS simulator is a 12.1”, freestanding, touchscreen TFT LCD panel.
Both the audio and control paths are digital and are carried on a single Ethernet using a switching hub and Cat 5 cabling.
Training exercises are prepared and setup on the System PC, supporting the creation of touchscreen pages for communications control and allowing a set of pages to be assigned to each role in the exercise configuration. Simulation Control during a ‘live’ training session is performed through facilities provided centrally by the System PC.
An Engineering test facility is provided to assist maintenance staff in the task of looking after the system.
The ICS 200/60 Simulator is capable of supporting all current variants of the Schmid HMI software.

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Both the audio and control paths are digital and, for this simulator system, are carried on a single Ethernet using a switching hub and Cat 5 cabling. The Ethernet protocol is proprietary and provides a dedicated time slot for each unit in the system. It ensures that every unit on the system is continuously aware of the status of every other unit and of the current use of every real or simulated communications link. Figure 1 below shows a diagram of the overall configuration.
Audio communications are carried out via digital packets sent over the Ethernet. Each position unit drives one audio bus line (corresponding to a headset microphone) and may take input from any or all of the remaining position units by reading the relevant audio packets received over the Ethernet. Three independent receive audio paths are provided in each position unit so that split headset working is available at the same time as loudspeaker output.