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ATC Alarm Monitoring System Capabilities

ATC Alarm Monitoring System Capabilities


Core Features

Advanced Alarm Management

PAMS provides comprehensive alarm monitoring and management for all critical airport ground-based systems:
  • Continuously monitoring equipment status
  • Providing instant visual and audible alerts when issues arise
  • Ensuring Air Traffic Controllers and ATSEPs can respond quickly and effectively

Visual Indicators

PAMS provides clear, color-coded visual displays showing system statuses at a glance with intuitive interfaces designed for quick interpretation.

The simple use of labelled, rectangular buttons and colour changes indicate the alarm identity and operational status, for example:

  • Green indicates fully operational
  • Flashing red highlights an alarm condition that hasn't been acknowledged
  • Blue is used when equipment is undergoing preventative maintenance

Alarm Groupings

The logical grouping of related alarms simplifies situational awareness and accelerates fault diagnosis.

PAMS alarm panel displays are fully configurable and are typically set up with sets of alarms in sections (e.g. Navaids, Met, Comms, Power).

Alarms can be combined into groups to:

  • Provide an overall status by combining signals (e.g. the mains supply to the UPS has been lost and the UPS battery level is low)
  • Highlight redundancy (e.g. the contingency radios are not functioning, but the main radios are operational)

Advanced System Features

PAMS capabilities go far beyond traditional alarm systems.
Audible Alerts
Configurable audio notifications ensure critical alarms are never missed, with priority-based sound profiles.
Alarm Revert and Acknowledgement
Clear notification when faults are cleared, requiring acknowledgement to confirm awareness of a system returning to an operational state.
Alarm & Event Recording
Every alarm and event is recorded and timestamped down to milliseconds, creating a comprehensive audit trail for safety investigations, performance analysis, and regulatory compliance.
Not in Service States
During the installation and integration testing stages, alarms can be set as Not in Service so that they still appear on the VCR, ACR etc. displays, but do not trigger alarm notifications and appear in a subdued colour.
Preventative Maintenance Mode
Alarms are suppressed during planned maintenance activities without losing visibility of the ATM system's status for ATE.
Alarm Nag
Acknowledged alarms can be automatically retriggered with configurable Nag periods to remind users of a failure
Alarm Delay Periods
Equipment that regularly generates alarm events, for example, as a result of a self-test, can be masked to prevent false warnings
Alarm Statistics
Comprehensive statistics track alarm frequency, duration, and patterns. This data helps identify recurring issues and supports preventative maintenance planning
System Self Diagnostics including UPS Monitoring
Continuous self-monitoring confirms the PAMS system itself is operating correctly and reliably.

Robust & Reliable

A process of safety and reliability by design is used to develop PAMS systems.

Reliable Hardware

PAMS equipment is designed to run reliably 24/7…

  • Typical failure points are addressed in the design, with high performance hardware and redundancy
  • COTS hardware is used, from tried and tested suppliers
  • All systems are built to standards, by our highly experienced in-house team
  • Following initial assembly work, extensive soak testing is performed using standard procedures, developed over many years

Redundancy and Reliability, Built-in

PAMS uses a combination of hardware and software monitoring to ensure it is always available:

  • RAID 10 hard disk arrays form the basis of a robust system architecture
  • Dual redundant PSUs ensure that the PAMS servers continue to run, even in the event of a power supply failure
  • Dual redundant servers bring an additional level of certainty and enable failure mode testing to be regularly undertaken
  • Contingency systems can be provided for additional redundancy and interface with the main PAMS equipment
Functional Design Specifications

As PAMS systems can be configured to meet the unique requirements of each aerodrome, design documentation is developed and agreed as a standard part of the configuration process. These detailing all interactions, interfaces etc.

Factory Acceptance Tests

PAMS systems are rigorously tested, with pre-FATs, Test Readiness Reviews and formal FATs taking place in our offices.

Site Acceptance Tests Scripts

SAT scripts provide an agreed process for verifying the functionality with the operational ATM systems in a controlled and considered manner.

"PAMS core functionality provides the essential tools that Air Traffic Controllers and ATSEPs need to maintain safe, efficient airport operations 24 hours a day, 365 days a year."