ATSEP Surveillance Qualification Training: Meeting ICAO Doc 10057 Standards with SkyRadar

Learn how SkyRadar tools meet ICAO Doc 10057's ATSEP Surveillance Qualification Training requirements with hands-on learning for taxonomy levels 3 and 4.

The ICAO Doc 10057, Manual on Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel Competency-based Training and Assessment, outlines a competency-based approach to training Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEP). In the Qualification Training phase for Surveillance (SUR), Appendix B.4 details recommended training objectives. These objectives require trainees to progress beyond theory, achieving taxonomy levels 3 (application) and 4 (analysis), emphasizing hands-on learning to operate, analyze, and troubleshoot surveillance systems.

This blog explains how SkyRadar’s products align with ICAO’s requirements, enabling trainees to meet these objectives through immersive, practical training. Specific references from Appendix B.4 illustrate how learning goals are addressed.

Where the Training Objectives Come From

Appendix B.4 — Recommended Training Objectives for a Qualification Training Course on Surveillance provides a structured list of topics and competencies ATSEP trainees must master during this phase. The objectives span fundamental knowledge, practical skills, and analytical tasks, grouped under key areas such as:

1. Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR): Principles, operations, and fault management.
2. Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR): Signal processing, decoding, and issues like garbling and FRUIT.
3. Multisensor Systems: Integration of data from radar, ADS-B, and multilateration (MLAT) systems.
4. Surveillance Data Processing: Noise reduction, tracking, and data fusion.
5. Performance Evaluation: Assessing the accuracy, reliability, and coverage of surveillance systems.

These training objectives are designed to build a comprehensive skillset, enabling trainees to handle the complexities of modern air traffic surveillance.

Taxonomy and Practical Training

ICAO requires taxonomy levels 3 and 4 for many surveillance training objectives, necessitating practical involvement:

• Level 3 (Application): Trainees must apply theoretical concepts to real-world tasks, such as setting radar parameters or interpreting surveillance data.
• Level 4 (Analysis): Trainees analyze system behavior, diagnose faults, and optimize performance.

Practical training ensures that ATSEP personnel can not only understand but also operate and troubleshoot surveillance systems in dynamic and challenging environments.

Mapping ICAO Training Objectives to SkyRadar Solutions

SkyRadar’s suite of tools directly supports the ICAO training objectives outlined in Appendix B.4. Below, specific examples show how these tools help trainees achieve taxonomy levels 3 and 4.

1. Primary and Secondary Radar Principles and Operation

ICAO Objective (Appendix B.4):

• Understand the operating principles of PSR and SSR.
• Operate radar systems and interpret their outputs.
• Recognize and mitigate faults like FRUIT and garbling.

SkyRadar Solutions:

• FreeScopes Basic I:

  • A-Scopes and B-Scopes: Allow trainees to visualize radar returns, practicing target identification and range measurement.
  • PPI Displays: Simulate real-world air traffic control screens for operational training.
  • Source Suppression and C-FAR (1D): Enable clutter reduction, teaching trainees how to enhance signal clarity.

• SkySim Radar Simulator with SSR Extension as well as the ADS-B/C radar and FreeScopes:

  • Simulates SSR-specific scenarios, including FRUIT, garbling, and side lobe interference.
  • Teaches how to apply monopulse techniques to improve SSR accuracy.

Example for Level 3 and 4: A trainee operates on pedagogical secondary radar hardware or a simulated SSR in SkySim to detect targets and filter out false replies (Level 3). Trainees analyze signal interference caused by FRUIT and adjust suppression techniques to restore signal integrity (Level 4).

2. Advanced Signal Processing and Optimization

ICAO Objective (Appendix B.4):

• Optimize radar parameters such as PRF, pulse width, and signal filtering.
• Analyze signal characteristics to enhance target detection.

SkyRadar Solutions:

• FreeScopes Basic II:

  • FFT (2D) and Spectrograms: Allow frequency-domain analysis for distinguishing targets in cluttered environments.
  • Heatmaps and 3D Scopes: Provide dynamic visualization of signal intensity, aiding target identification.

• FreeScopes Basic III:

  • Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF): Trainees adjust PRF settings to balance range and velocity detection.
  • Signal Filtering and Modulation: Explore advanced techniques for noise suppression and target discrimination.

Example for Level 3 and 4: Using FreeScopes Basic III, a trainee adjusts PRF settings to optimize radar coverage (Level 3). They analyze signal spectrograms to identify and resolve overlapping target echoes, improving accuracy (Level 4).

3. Multisensor Integration and Data Fusion

ICAO Objective (Appendix B.4):

• Integrate data from multiple surveillance sources (e.g., PSR, SSR, ADS-B).
• Resolve inconsistencies between sensors to create a unified air traffic picture.

SkyRadar Solutions:

• FreeScopes ATC I - IV:

  • Multi-Input Data Block and Target Fusion: Combine radar, ADS-B, and MLAT data into a cohesive output.
  • Position Prediction and Tracking Algorithms: Improve tracking reliability through tracking algorithms, velocity gating and predictive analysis.

• FreeScopes SDP:

  • Multisensor Tracking: Resolve conflicts between sensor inputs, ensuring consistent and accurate outputs.
  • Noise Reduction Filters: Enhance data reliability by removing clutter and interference.

Example for Level 3 and 4: Trainees use FreeScopes ATC I - IV to integrate radar and ADS-B inputs into a single data stream (Level 3). At Level 4, they analyze discrepancies between sensors and apply data fusion algorithms to enhance positional accuracy.

4. Surveillance Data Validation and Performance Evaluation

ICAO Objective (Appendix B.4):

• Validate surveillance data for consistency and accuracy.
• Evaluate system performance, including coverage and reliability.

SkyRadar Solutions:

• NextGen 5 GHz Pulse Radar:
  • Provides real-world radar data for validation exercises.
• FreeScopes SDP:
  • Offers tools for assessing sensor accuracy and reporting performance limits.

Example for Level 3 and 4: A trainee validates radar data from NextGen Pulse Radar, identifying inconsistencies caused by environmental interference (Level 3). Using FreeScopes SDP, they evaluate sensor coverage and adjust system parameters to optimize performance (Level 4).

Emphasis on Practical, Competency-based Training

ICAO Doc 10057’s emphasis on practical, competency-based training for ATSEP in Surveillance (SUR) requires a strong focus on hands-on learning to meet taxonomy levels 3 and 4. SkyRadar’s solutions align seamlessly with the recommended training objectives in Appendix B.4, enabling trainees to master core radar principles, advanced signal processing, multisensor integration, and system evaluation.

By incorporating SkyRadar tools into ATSEP qualification training programs, aviation academies and air navigation service providers can ensure compliance with ICAO standards while preparing personnel to excel in real-world air traffic management.

Stay tuned

Stay connected for future insights on ATSEP training, including a deep dive into unit training for surveillance systems.