Flight Information Display System (FIDS)

MAXCS
®
Flight Information Display System (FIDS)
Generating timely and accurate information - when and where required.
CONRAC GmbH – Lindenstrasse 8 – D-97990 Weikersheim
Tel.: +49 (7934) 101-0 – Fax: +49 (7934) 101-101
E-mail: info@conrac.de – www.conrac.de
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INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................4
CONRAC'S INTELLIGENT FIDS: MAXCS® .........................................................................................5
Fundamental Principle ...............................................................................................................................................5
Individual Benefits ......................................................................................................................................................5
Modular Concept........................................................................................................................................................5
SYSTEM LAYOUT .............................................................................................................................6
THE MAXCS® SYSTEM-SERVER ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................7
Main Tasks and General System control...................................................................................................................7
Main Processes running on Server Level ..................................................................................................................7
Information Management Process .........................................................................................................................7
Distribution Management Process .........................................................................................................................7
System Management Process ...............................................................................................................................7
Database Management Process............................................................................................................................7
Server Hardware Concept .........................................................................................................................................8
Active Server Master / Slave / Hot Stand-by..........................................................................................................8
Minimum Server Requirements..............................................................................................................................8
THE MAXCS® SYSTEM / DATA ADMINISTRATION AND HANDLING LEVEL ...............................................9
System Operation / Operator Console.......................................................................................................................9
Main Tasks for PIDS 2005 ...................................................................................................................................10
System Security Tools / User Access Handling.......................................................................................................11
PIDS Security .......................................................................................................................................................11
Toolbar .................................................................................................................................................................12
Program Access List ............................................................................................................................................12
System Message/Error Message Logging ...............................................................................................................12
Universal Information Tool for Airport/Airline Staff (DaViS) .....................................................................................13
THE MAXCS® PUBLIC DISPLAY ADMINISTRATION, HANDLING AND MAINTENANCE LEVEL.....................15
How to create layouts, templates and the content for Public Displays ....................................................................15
The Page Editor Tool ...........................................................................................................................................15
Description of the most common features of the Page Editor..............................................................................17
Page Configuration Tool.......................................................................................................................................21
Page Configuration Tool Features .......................................................................................................................21
Managing Public Displays ........................................................................................................................................23
Monitoring and Control Public Displays ...................................................................................................................24
Device Monitoring Utility (DMU - WEB Version) ..................................................................................................26
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MAXCS® - WEB BASED TOOLS AND APPLICATIONS .......................................................................31
Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................................31
WEB Access for the System Administrator..............................................................................................................32
Access to the Message/Error - Logging Files via WEB .......................................................................................32
System Process Information access via WEB .....................................................................................................33
System Status Info via WEB ................................................................................................................................34
WEB Access for the System Operator.....................................................................................................................35
Check-In and Gate Tools .....................................................................................................................................35
SMS Tracking Interface via WEB.........................................................................................................................35
MAXCS® - INTERFACES ................................................................................................................37
System Interfaces ....................................................................................................................................................37
METAR – Weather Interface....................................................................................................................................38
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INTRODUCTION
In the fast-moving airport environment, up-to-date information at the right time and place is absolutely vital.
A modern airport without an advanced flight information display system providing high visibility flight, staff and
baggage information is totally unthinkable. Large screen displays guiding the passengers have become a necessity.
Also static advertising is gradually being substituted by digital large screen displays offering entirely new
possibilities. A flexible mixture of sales promotion, video-clips and films is much more of an eye-catcher than any
other type of advertising - infotainment rather than just advertising - a new source of future profit growth for the
airports and a pleasant pastime for the passengers while waiting for their flights.
CONRAC’s challenge is to provide their customers with the system solutions best fitted for their individual
requirements. This means the ideal display technology, size, format, resolution for the information to be
communicated. Smaller sizes for check-in, mid-size for flight information or advertising, large screens for arrivals or
departures, with extra intelligence, e.g. an embedded controller, if required. This also means bespoke design,
colour, logo to suit airports’, retailers’ and architects’ plans.
Founded in 1956 CONRAC has always provided innovative technology. Ever since the late 60‘s, CONRAC has
been developing information display products for the most demanding applications. From the first information
boards, first flight information display systems, first microprocessor-based data terminals, the first high resolution
CRT monitors to today‘s flat panel displays, CONRAC has at all times played a pioneering role in the airport
business. Tens of thousands of public displays in over 250 airports worldwide speak for themselves.
Thanks to an advanced R&D Department with unique expertise and a Product Management with global market
knowledge, CONRAC always keeps a step ahead. Committed to technologically advanced and cost-effective
display solutions, the company constantly improves existing products and develops new ones, using only the latest
and most reliable technologies.
All products are developed for 24/7 operation. The components and solutions have been designed and thoroughly
tested for applications in the most demanding environments. Furthermore, compliance with very strict quality
regulations, monitored at all stages of the production process ensures optimum performance and reliability.
CONRAC is, of course, an ISO 9001 certified organisation.
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CONRAC’S INTELLIGENT FIDS: MAXCS®
Completing CONRAC’s range of airport-related equipment, CONRAC offers a sophisticated Flight Information
Display System scalable to any size of installation. It is the ultimate software solution to drive and control
CONRAC`s professional embedded flat-screen displays.
MAXCS® is a highly innovative and future-proof product, easily adaptable to new operational needs at airports.
System design in close co-operation with the customer ensures smooth operation and guarantees timely and
reliable information of passengers and staff, trouble-free passenger handling as well as efficient and reliable
procedures for freight and baggage handling.
MAXCS® controls all modern media e.g. WAP, SMS, etc. and offers full graphic and multimedia capabilities. The
Page Editor and Page Configuration Tool described later on allow easy and efficient handling of all possible
contents for the public displays.
Data handling is realised by standard database applications giving the customer the free choice. All interfaces are
based on XML, SQL or ODBC standards.
MAXCS®, CONRAC‘s information system offers state-of-the-art technology: Advanced features such as
decentralised maintenance, remote status monitoring, flight tracking, wireless applications for operators, and many
more.
Fundamental Principle
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Creates a flexible system in a cost-effective way
Fulfils customer requirements
Uses modern network architecture
Drives all available displays and server hardware
Takes into account new developments in hardware
Uses hardware platforms designed for high availability
Individual Benefits
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CONRAC provides configurable standard products
CONRAC software is applicable to any size of system
CONRAC adapts to the operational structure of a project
CONRAC applications are made for integrated systems
Modular Concept
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System structure is divided into several segments
Object oriented software platform
Data transferred are optimised/reduced to a minimum to avoid network bottlenecks
System can grow with the requirements of an airport
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SYSTEM LAYOUT
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THE MAXCS® SYSTEM-SERVER ENVIRONMENT
Main Tasks and General System control
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Interface handling: Individual interfaces to external systems
(interactive data exchange based on XML, text, etc. standards)
Data distribution
Handling of the seasonal flight schedule
Generates the daily flight schedule
Generates management reports
Generates archive files
System maintenance
Main Processes running on Server Level
Information Management Process
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Rule-based information broker for data consistency
Distribution Management Process
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Monitoring of all connected devices
Event-driven update service guarantees minimum network load
System Management Process
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Guarantees reliable operation of the server and network
Starts and restarts application processes (“Watchdog”)
Reports status of the system and all display devices
Is responsible for fault tolerant error handling and notification
Controls “Hot stand-by” functions
Monitors system availability
Database Management Process
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Processing of seasonal and daily flight schedules
Event-driven notification of other processes and interfaces
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Server Hardware Concept
Active Server Master / Slave /Hot Stand-by
The master system acts on the highest operational level and is responsible for data processing, distribution and
data consistency.
The number of servers depends on the overall system size.
One server in a cluster can be configured as a Hot Stand-by server. Its task is to monitor the other
server/servers and to take over in case of a hard- or software failure. A watchdog process is
implemented to secure a “hot-switching” of the CPUs.
By using VM Ware® the system provides the freedom to configure a virtual server architecture independent of the
used hardware.
Minimum Server Requirements
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X86 -based Standard Server platform (rack or tower version)
Operating System:
o LINUX Suse SLES 10
o or Windows™ + VMWare®
o Data handling is realized via standard database applications
o All database interfaces are based on SQL or ODBC standards
o The preferred database application is Postgre SQL
o Each server is equipped with the same software to assure easy maintenance
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MAXCS® SYSTEM / DATA ADMINISTRATION AND HANDLING LEVEL
System Operation / Operator Console
PIDS, a dedicated program, creates the GUI (Graphical User Interface). It provides the system administrator /
operator with an overview of the current data and event status (daily flight plan). It is installed on a standard
workstation based on a MS Windows operating system environment. The user friendly application provides all
modern tools and multi-functionality that everyone is used to on a MS Windows platform.
Program Info Screen
FIDS / PIDS Network
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Main Tasks for PIDS
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Edit daily flight plan
Edit predefined display content
Edit access rights of the individual user with user ID and password down to field level
Stores individual user configuration
Configure the user interface (design, columns, sequences, colour)
Multi-window display
Search and filter functionality
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System Security Tools / User Access Handling
PIDS Security
The PIDS Security program allows the system administrator to setup individual user accounts. Individual access
rights can be assigned for each user, each program, table or field of the system.
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Toolbar
The Toolbar is used to edit the “PIDS Security” program.
For further details on the specific functions of the buttons, see the PIDS Security Manual.
Program Access List
Provides a list of all available programs the user may or may not be granted access to.
The list controls the access to the following programs/configurations which are described in this document.
System Message / Error Message Logging
Dedicated watchdog processes monitor the smooth operation of the system. Errors of individual processes or any
event in the system can be configured to generate a message to be stored in the system log files. The access to
these log files is provided via the system console and also via a dedicated WEB-Service (Message/Error Logging
via WEB; see below)
Each system message to be stored in the log files can be individually copied and sent via SMS or email to
dedicated system administrators. This secures a very efficient way of information distribution.
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Universal Information Tool for Airport/Airline Staff (DaViS)
Program startup screen
Airport staff requires timely information about the ongoing flight movements. This information is provided by
DaViS (Data Visualization Staff). It allows the viewing of flight information, lookup tables, history flights and seasonpreview flights of the entire MAXCS® database. This tool can be installed on any existing workstation in the airport.
The intention of the application is to provide information only. Manipulation of data is not possible.
The configuration of each terminal depends on the individual user that is connected (personal profile).
The user access is controlled via user ID and password.
The following tasks will be available dependent on the individual user ID:
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Field selection from the database record to which the individual user has access
Selection of lookup-tables to which the individual user has access
Printing of individually designed views on local or network printers
“Save to disk mode” for generating additional reports such as history flights, database preview, etc
The type of flight records to be displayed e.g. arrivals, departures or flights of specific carriers
3-step-setup to generate a new layout for a user
Step 1 choose database
Step 2 select database fields
Step 3 define colors & fonts
All users are able to define their own individually designed desktop layouts based on their personal profile (limited to
40 windows with different content). The configuration information is stored locally on the terminal and will be
available with the next login of this user on the same terminal.
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For example the following options for layouts can be used:
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Scrolling through the database
Printing of selected fields and tables
Exporting of data in files to work with 3rd party programs such as MS Excel
Activating online filters ( what-if )
Monitoring event updates from the database with highlighted fields
Same view with different filters applied
Printer Preview
Excel with imported FIDS data
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MAXCS® PUBLIC DISPLAY ADMINISTRATION, HANDLING AND MAINTENANCE LEVEL
How to create layouts, templates and the content for Public Displays
The Page Editor Tool
The page editor is the key component of the system to create the layouts and content templates for all public
displays connected to the system. It will be used on standard workstations in the network.
The editor provides a ”What You See is What You Get” interface. The displayed dynamic information page(s) match
the ones designed with the Page Editor. Synchronous display of the same information at the same time on different
displays when using page carousels is also supported.
Static Texts
Date & Time Element
Static switching Texts (items)
Background Picture
Static Scrolltext
Screen layout in design phase
Structure of the screen layout
Selection of the database table
Selection of the database fields
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Database Table from data source ...
Wingdings Font (Blinking)
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Description of the most common features of the Page Editor
Background filling styles
Page properties
ƒ Solid colour (possibility to choose form a palette of 256 colours)
ƒ Gradients of solid colours
ƒ Image tiling (e.g. templates or photo’s)
Text style possibilities
Each text (line / box) can have specific attributes
Text properties
ƒ Position, width and height of text-box
ƒ Definition of standard text-style font
ƒ Possibility to use most corporate fonts
ƒ Text-box with solid filled background
ƒ Text-box (with maximum 2 colours) blinking background
ƒ Text colour (possibility to choose from a palette of 256 colours)
ƒ Text blinking (with maximum 2 colours)
ƒ Text in bold style
ƒ Text underlined
ƒ Text smooth
ƒ Text scrolling (possibility to adjust the scrolling speed)
Advanced text properties Emboss
ƒ Italic and Emboss
ƒ Drop Shadow
ƒ Outline and 3D outline
ƒ Transparency (possibility to adjust level of transparency)
Drawing possibilities
Lines, Rectangles, Ellipses
Line properties
ƒ Position, width and height of the line
ƒ Line colour, line style, line thickness
ƒ Blinking
Rectangles properties
ƒ Position, width and height of the rectangles
ƒ Line (outlined): line colour, line style, line thickness, blinking line, no outlining
ƒ Fill style: transparent, solid fill colour, blinking fill colour, advanced file style
ƒ Gradients of solid colours
ƒ Image tiling (e.g. templates or photos)
Ellipse properties
ƒ Position, width and height of the rectangles
ƒ Line (outlined): line colour, blinking line, no outlining
ƒ Fill style: solid fill colour
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Time / Date styles
Insert actual time and/or date
Time format
ƒ Set text style features according to “Text Style Possibilities”
ƒ Leading Zeros
ƒ 24 hours format
ƒ Display seconds
ƒ Display AM/PM
Date format
ƒ Set text style features according to “Text Style Possibilities”
ƒ Order (day first or month first)
ƒ Day (leading zero and/or display weekday)
ƒ Month (in words or numerical)
ƒ Year (in 2 digits or 4 digits)
Graphic image styles
Insert graphic images in JPEG, GIF, Interlaced GIF, Non-interlaced GIF, animated GIF, BMP, TIFF as well
as PNG format.
Image properties
ƒ Position, Width, Height
ƒ Preview
Video style possibilities
Insert a window to display MPEG1, MPEG2 and DVD (*.vob)
Supports full screen as well as scalable (PIP) MPEG/DVD
Video properties
ƒ Position, width and height
ƒ Aspect Ratio: 4:3 - 16:9 – free form
ƒ Target:
Sq. Pixel, 4:3 625L/525L, 16:9 525L/625L
ƒ Cropping of black borders: Left/Right/Top/Bottom
ƒ Repeat interval
ƒ Defining video carousels
ƒ Play only a predefine sequel of a video
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TV style possibilities
Insert a window to display TV (if the embedded controller is equipped with a tuner module - optional).
Supports full screen as well as scalable windows.
The TV channels can be pre-programmed.
Video properties
ƒ Position, width and height
ƒ Aspect Ratio: 4:3 - 16:9 – free form
ƒ Cropping: Left/Right/Top/Bottom
ƒ Selection between RF (TV), CVBS and S-Video
Streaming Audio / Video possibilities
Insert a window to display Streaming Video (depending on the embedded controller configuration).
Supports full screen as well as scalable windows.
Video properties
ƒ Position, width and height
ƒ Aspect Ratio: 4:3 - 16:9 – free form
ƒ Cropping: Left/Right/Top/Bottom
ƒ Selection between RTP – RTCP (url) – UDP
ƒ Define the RTP Port/RTCP Port/ UDP Port
Database table style possibilities
Insert a table of data coming from system database files.
Possibility to integrate more than one database file per page.
Tickertape database table style possibilities
Insert a ticker table of data coming from system database files.
Possibility to integrate more than one ticker file per page.
Flash possibilities
Insert a window to display swf files.
Import external data via http in the flash files via variables.
Possibility to integrate more than one flash per page.
Possibility to integrate more than one flash on a video.
Insert a window to display Flash Video (FLV)
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Other functions
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Advanced alignment functions for 2 or more objects on the screen
Copy, cut and paste function
Undo function
Horizontal and vertical centre
Bring to front/back/…
Select/Deselect all
Grid Settings
Alignment to right, left, top, bottom
Snap to grid - save as binary, image, template,…
Zoom
Project bar (with preview function) to view content and import other content from other
projects/users on the network
Preview function
Play function
Synchronized image & text carousels
Configuration panel
Defaults for each object
Defaults for each page
Defaults for each project
Configuration of each dialog
Configuration of user modes
Automatic Backup
Publish function to share presentations over the network
Page carousels
It is also possible to create Page carrousels to be displayed on the displays. Each page can have its own
display time. The end of the display time can be triggered at the end of the MPEG video files. Transition
effects between pages are supported.
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Copy paste between pages
Change place of page in a carousel
Define timing for individual or all pages in a carousel
Define unlimited transitions between individual or all pages
Define a trigger at the end of the video window
Synchronized carousels (show same content on different screens at the (frame accurate) time
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Page Configuration Tool
The Page Configuration Tool allows an easy import of new layouts into the system. The Page Configuration Tool
also runs on a standard workstation connected to the Server (TCP/IP connection via LAN or dial-up).
Page Configuration Tool Features
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Connection of the Page Editor layouts with the System-Database
Predefined filters for layout pages (= same layout from various resources)
Special module for handling of Code share flights
Screenshot of typical Page Configuration Tool window
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Import dialog for new layouts
Final Screen Layout designed with the Page Editor and configured with the Page Configuration Tool
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Managing Public Displays
The Display Manager allows the user to control the layouts on the Public Displays connected to the System. It is a
very flexible tool and provides the system administrator with a simple and efficient method to control and configure
the displays and display groups. The access and user rights are managed by the PIDS Security module (described
above).
Typical Program Window View
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Monitoring and Control of Public Displays
Typical window view
Program Start up Screen
The DMU (Device Monitoring Utility) goes a step further than the Display Manager and allows the system
administrator to monitor and control all status information provided by the public displays connected to system on
hardware level (read-back function).
DMU allows:
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Remote viewing of display content (displays with integrated Controller)
Remote viewing of display content of LCD/LED and Split-Flap Boards
Reboot, switch on/off
Set devices to "in/out of service"
Monitoring status of all devices/displays using graphical icons
Creation of owner groups in device lists for faster access
Monitoring of display contents in a separate window on the desktop
Retrieve detailed information for every device/display (operating temperature, status and speed of
fans, status of CPU and memory load, etc……)
Customized Device-Tree with activated LCD board view
DMU is able to run on each workstation connected via TCP/IP (LAN or dial-up).
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DMU is designed to be used by the following operational staff:
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System administrator at site (to check and control the devices via LAN)
System administrator with remote access (see DMU Web Version)
Typical DMU view with two extra windows opened
External DMU window with Refresh and Font size Buttons
Typical customer defined device tree
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Device Monitoring Utility (DMU Web Version)
The web version of the Device Monitoring Utility (DMU) allows the system administrator remote access to the
displays connected to the system.
The web version of the DMU is a browser based application and can be used with any device connected to the
internet (e.g. LapTop, PDA, mobile phone, etc.). Of course, the access is firewall and password protected.
The typical functions are brightness, contrast, status, reboot, power on/off and screen dump.
Main screen of the DMU with drop-down selection of monitors
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Example 1:
The “Show Status” button enables the user to remotely receive a status overview of an individual
public display (see picture 1).
1: Detailed status of the selected display
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Example 2:
The “Screen Dump” button allows the user to easily generate screenshots of the current content
shown on a dedicated public display (see picture 2).
2: Screenshot of the selected display
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Display Thumbnails
Display Thumbnails allows an overview of screen contents of the preselected displays. Additionally, the
administrator can generate slide shows of the predefined displays. The content (screenshot) is updated
automatically.
Screen shows the screenshots of two displays (TFT 01 and TFT 02)
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Thumbnail Display Configuration
The picture below shows the thumbnail display configuration screen. At this point, the screenshot function can be
activated or deactivated individually for each display.
Display configuration screen
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MAXCS® - WEB BASED TOOLS AND APPLICATIONS
Introduction
The web browser-tools support remote access to the system allowing smooth administration and maintenance of
the system.
The following web based programs and tools are available for the system administrator:
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Display Monitoring Utility with Display Thumbnails (DMU Web Version – as already described)
Server related information services (Error Logging; Process Info; FIDS Info)
The following programs and tools are available for the system operator:
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SMS tracking and interface for the administrator
Check-In interface
Gate interface
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WEB Access for the System Administrator
Access to the Message/Error - Log Files via WEB
The event or error messages are stored centrally on the server. With this tool an easy access to these data is
provided. Error messages and warnings on single devices are retrieved in a very comfortable way.
Event Message Protocol Management
The screenshot below shows the event protocol screen. All system messages available/configured or error
messages are indicated. On the left side of the window, certain filters can be set, for instance device name, type of
event, confirmed or unconfirmed messages, or messages over a certain period of time. Further filtering is possible
by selecting different criteria
Event Protocol Screen
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System Process Information access via WEB
The process information tool provides the administrator with an overview of all processes that are currently running
on the server platform. The administrator can stop processes, start new ones as well as delete the process queue.
Processes Info Window
The screenshot below shows the process info screen. All processes running on the selected server are listed here.
The following information is displayed on this screenshot:
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Process Info Screen
PID (Linux Process ID)
Process (Process Name in MAXCS®)
Update Time (Time when process carried out last entry)
Q Size and Free Size (Size of the queue in bytes)
Entries (Number of entries in the queue)
E Total (Number of entries in the queue since starting the MAXCS® )
Status (Process status: running/stopped)
Trace (debug reporting mode is switched on or off)
Start, Stop, Empty, Restart (Buttons to activate single actions)
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System Status Info via WEB
The status information provides the administrator with a quick overview of the system status.
System Info Window
The screenshot below shows the info screen for the MAXCS® system.
The following information is displayed on the page:
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Status of the individual servers
Status of the operating system
Status of the flight data stored in the Shared Memory (departure/arrival)
Different message files of the operating system
Info Screen of the System
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WEB Access for the System Operator
Check-In and Gate Tools
This application is intended to be installed on any 3rd party browser based equipment, e.g. CUTE, gate input station,
etc.
It allows the operator to change the flight status on the public displays dedicated to that particular position. For
example, the handling agent sets the status of a dedicated check-in counter to “open”.
As the tool is web based, no certification is required.
At this point, the user can browse through the pages of the filtered flights and edit when required.
SMS Tracking Interface via WEB
This service enables the system to inform passengers via SMS of their flight status. The cost of this service can be
charged to the passenger and hence bring an additional source of income for the airport in cooperation with a
mobile/cell phone provider.
The WEB SMS interface provides the administrator with an overview of all cell/mobile phone numbers registered in
the system including flight status information.
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SMS User Management (Active SMS Numbers)
The picture below shows the management screen for all registered cell/mobile phone numbers. All numbers
registered in this table receive a text message (SMS) as soon as certain changes are applied to the flight status.
Management Screen
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MAXCS® - INTERFACES
System Interfaces
The open architecture of MAXCS allows the interfacing of the system to the majority of data processing system
available. The following interfaces have already been realised:
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FDI (MAXCS® Data Interface) – Documentation available on request
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Postgre SQL Database
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Various other Databases via ODBC-driver
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UFIS-AODB Interface
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Inform-AODB Interface
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GHS Top System
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ISO (SKY-Base) AODB Interface
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METAR-Interface (Meteorological Aviation Routine Weather Report)
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XML-Export Interface
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Various Teletext / Videotext Export interfaces
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Master Clock (NTP-Daemon or via RS232-Connection and Terminal Server)
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Various PA (Public Announcement) Systems
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Baggage Handling Systems
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METAR – Weather Interface
CONRAC's METAR-Weather Interface allows the airport to display weather information for the different destinations
providing an additional service for the passengers.
The information is updated hourly from the NWS (National Weather Service) FTP-Server.
Check in Screen Layouts (English/Russian) with actual weather information
Departure Screen Layouts (English) with actual weather information
Technical specification subject to change without prior notice.
FIDS_maXcs2009_01_ENG_rev04.doc