Air navigation service provider DFS has completed a project to modernize its radio sites across Germany.
The RASUM 8.33 project (Radio Site Upgrade and Modernisation) was launched in 2010 and has seen around 4,000 radios at almost 100 radio sites upgraded. These stations are connected to four DFS control centres and 15 designated international German airports under the responsibility of DFS.
By converting radio sites to use the 8.33-kilohertz channel spacing, DFS is complying with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1079/2012. The goal is to eliminate the frequency shortage in Europe by reducing channel spacing.
The radio technology was supplied by the Rohde & Schwarz technology group.
The last radio station was commissioned late last year in Auderath in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. This project has enabled the optimisation of aeronautical radio coverage in Germany as a whole, said DFS.
Independent, redundant telecommunications connections and new antenna systems have been installed. Buildings and infrastructure at the radio sites were also renewed and standardised as part of the project.
Friedrich-Wilhelm Menge, chief technology officer on the DFS Executive Board said, "The modernised sites will enable DFS to meet new challenges, such as voice transmission via Voice-over-IP."
Voice-over-IP technology enables voice communication to be transmitted via IP networks. In contrast to conventional analogue systems, VoIP offers higher voice quality and better scalability.