NAV CANADA

NAVCANlink Product Marketing Support

NAVCANlink is a web-based collaborative decision-making by providing tool for used by air carrier operations managers and airport operations managers to view near-real-time view airport radar, traffic, weather, airfield lighting and NAVAID status. It also includes a record-and-playback feature for analysis.

Esper provided system engineering, proposal and marketing support services, including:

• Assisting in the development and updating of technical marketing materials
• Assisting in business development activities
• Preparing project management plans and high level costing

RDPS Database Management System (RDMS) Rehost Project

The RDMS Rehost Project was launched to rebuild an existing system that ran on obsolete custom-developed hardware onto Hewlett-Packard servers with Windows clients. The RDMS, which is used to configure the Radar Data Processing System (RDPS) and RADAR-controlled airspace, was completely re-engineered from a C-language system to an Oracle-based application using Oracle Spatial integrated with the GeoMedia Professional Geographic Information System (GIS).

The most notable feature of the RDMS is the complete and open integration of spatial and attribute data within the same repository without the use of proprietary middleware. All data for this application resides in an Oracle database and is directly accessible to all tools capable of interfacing with the Oracle Server, including GeoMedia Professional, SQL*Loader, SQL*Plus, Forms, Reports, and languages like Visual Basic, C, C++, and Java.

Esper provided professional services in the following areas.

• Preparing the RFP and evaluating responses
• Project planning, resource estimating, costing, scheduling
• Managing and leading the day-to-day activities of the project
• Input into staffing process and hiring external consultants
• Mentoring NAV CANADA employees
• Requirements analysis and system specification
• System and database modelling and design using Oracle Designer
• Oracle database and user interface development
• Database access software (Pro*C) development, data exported in custom binary format
• Leading and participating in software integration testing activities
• Preparing the 250-page user manual, which was extremely well received by very critical users
• Software integration and Unix scripting for building and installing the system
• Data conversion and cleansing; salvaging data from old system, which used binary indexed files for data storage

This project demonstrates Esper’s ability to lead a project, from requirements analysis to development to production. It also demonstrates Esper’s ability to manage a team composed of its own consultants, independent contractors, and client personnel.

Technology: Oracle with Spatial, Pro*C, Oracle Developer (Forms and Reports), GeoMedia Professional, C, Visual Basic, Java, HP-UX, Windows, Rational CleaCase/Quest, Unix shell scripts, GNU Make, CygWin, Adobe FrameMaker & FrameScript, JASC PaintShop Pro, Corel Draw, Acrobat Distiller, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Visio).

Canadian Automated Air Traffic System (CAATS)

CAATS automates Air Traffic Control (ATC) functions at area control centres (ACC) and towers: It includes a new Flight Data Processing System (FDPS) that replaces several currently used systems, automates flight profile monitoring and extends conflict prediction and detection into non-radar airspace.

Esper provided professional services in the following areas.

• Software Engineering & Development:
  • Provided software analysis, design, development and enhancement support
• User Documentation:
  • Updated & revised Computer Systems Operations Manual covering installation and technical tasks performed by technicians
  • Updated & revised the Maintenance Control Position User Manual for technicians responsible for daily system management
  • Updated & revised the Manual for the Area Control Centre that details hardware configuration and troubleshooting tasks
• System Administration:
  • Provided support for HP-UX servers and workstations
  • Performed software integration and builds
  • Installed software builds on both Unix servers and workstations
  • Supported test environment

Technology: HP-UX, HP OpenView, HP CDE, Ada, Adobe FrameMaker & FrameScript, JASC PaintShop Pro, Corel Draw, Acrobat Distiller.

Radar Data Processing System Rehost (RDPSR) Project

The RDPSR is the system used to control air traffic within Canadian domestic airspace where there is RADAR coverage.

Esper provided professional services in the following areas.

• Software Testing:
  • Prepared test plans and procedures for the Maintenance Control Position and for systems integration testing
  • Led a team lead of 4 testers
• User Documentation:
  • Designed and wrote the Maintenance Control Position and Operational Software Adaption Facility User Manuals
• System Administration:
  • Provided support for HP-UX servers and workstations and Windows workstations
  • Configured custom Unix environment suitable for high-availability applications and development workstations
  • Ensured uninterrupted Unix computing services for software load and build environments
  • Wrote shell scripts to automate administration tasks
  • Installed software on both Unix servers and workstations
  • Responsible for building and maintaining the development environment, including test beds

Technology: HP-UX, , HP OpenView, HP CDE, Windows 2000/NT, Samba, Java, Adobe FrameMaker & FrameScript, JASC PaintShop Pro, Corel Draw, Acrobat Distiller.

Adaptation Data Management Review

NAV CANADA's air traffic management systems require highly customized aeronautical data and system configuration parameters to adapt to the various installations and airspaces across the country.

Esper conducted a comprehensive review of the provisioning, validation, management, and preparation of static adaptation data across all NAV CANADA's operational air traffic management systems. The objective was to investigate the feasibility of integrating the management of adaptation data into a common database platform that supports operations at all area control centres across Canada.

Aeronautical Information Management Review

NAV CANADA has the responsibility in Canada to provide aeronautical information services, which include the management, production, and distribution of aeronautical charts and publications.

Esper conducted a review of NAV CANADA's aeronautical information management system, including data collection, validation, management, and distribution processes and tools. The report included technical and management recommendation, as well as Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) costing to replace the existing system.

Integrated Simulator (ISIM)

The ISIM is a radar simulator used to test and certify the Radar Data Processing System (RDPS).

Esper wrote the ISIM User Manual and prepared the end user training course, including a training guide with simulation exercises.

Technology: Microsoft Word, JASC PaintShop, Corel Draw, HP-UX, HP OpenView, HP CDE, Windows, Java.

Aeronautical Database Management System (ADMS) - Canadian Automated Air Traffic System (CAATS) Interface

The ADMS supports the management of information used in the production of Canadian aeronautical charts and publications. Aeronautical data is also used to adapt NAV CANADA's air traffic management systems, such as the CAATS.

Esper built the translator that loads aeronautical data in Aeronautical Information Exchange Model (AIXM) format, generated by the ADMS, into an Oracle XML DB schema, which then used to convert the data into the CAATS relational schema.

Technology: Linux (Fedora & Red Hat AS), Oracle Server, Oracle XML DB, Oracle Spatial.

Radar Data Analysis Upgrade (RDA-III)

The RDA provides NAV CANADA personnel (Data Systems Coordinators and Technologists) with the tools to analyse radar surveillance recordings and to troubleshoot radar issues.

Esper was responsible for writing the RDA Archive Server User Manual.

Technology: Microsoft Word, JASC PaintShop, Corel Draw, HP-UX, HP OpenView, HP CDE, Java.