David Annebicque

AMANDA V3: Toward a Common Workspace between Air Traffic Controllers

This paper presents the different tools developed in the LAMIH, in optics to assist air traffic controllers in their tasks, to decrease their workloads, and to enable them to support the ceaseless increase of the traffic. Common philosophy to all these tools is to preserve the controllers in the loop: we do not try to develop tools entirely automatic. The platform AMANDA V2 made it possible to set up and to evaluate a common workspace, which allows the two controllers of a sector to cooperate and to share the same representation of their traffic and conflicts. This space maintains common situation awareness. This tool was very appreciated by professional controllers and we now wish to extend this principle to the co-operation between two planning controllers of two adjacent sectors. It is what we present in this paper which begins with a presentation of the ATC then a point on the platforms of the laboratory and particularly AMANDA V2, to conclude with the objectives of AMANDA V3.

Robust filtering of PLC program for automated systems of production

Abstract The proposed methodology enables to secure the control program of automated production systems. The principle is to place a robust filter inside the PLC of the automated production system to inhibit or authorize actions in the event of detection of errors in the control program. The proposed methodology rests on the one hand, on a rigorous analysis of the automated production system in order to formally build the set of constraints which constitute the filter using temporal and boolean logic. And on the other hand, a phase of modeling by finite-state automata which is necessary to validate the sufficiency of the constraints and to check the robustness of the filter as well as the safety properties using Model-Checking tools.

The Standardized Generation and the Robust Filtering of the Command As Tools of Optimization of the Mental Workload of the Systems Engineer

Abstract This paper presents an original approach to standardize the work of electric traction of railway transportation. This approach is developed within an industrial thesis, financed by the SNCF (French acronym for National Society of French Railways) in association with the CReSTIC (Research Centre in Information and Communication Science and Technologies). This approach is composed of two axes. The first axis is the standardized generation of deliverables made by the systems engineers in order to help them keeping their concentration on cognitive task and to avoid repetitive tasks which can lead to mental underload. The second axis is the integration of a robust filter is based on the use of safety constraints within the methodology of standardization. This controller is then constrained by the functional programs, already established and used by the SNCF. The systems engineers can be serene and this filter avoids the stress of decision-making which can lead to a mental overload.

Standardization and safety control generation for SNCF systems engineer

Abstract This paper presents an original approach developed within an industrial thesis, financed by the SNCF (French acronym for National Society of French Railways). The aim is to standardize the work of electric traction of railway transportation. This approach is composed of two axes. Firstly, a standardized generation of deliverables is done to help the systems engineers keeping their concentration on cognitive task and to avoid repetitive tasks which can lead to mental underload. Secondly, a robust filter based on the use of safety constraints is integrated. This controller is then constrained by the functional programs, already established and used by the SNCF. The system safety is insured by the robust filter which has been formally verified by model-checking.

Safe control synthesis based on Boolean constraints for manufacturing systems

Abstract This paper presents an original approach of safe control synthesis of manufacturing systems. This is an extension of the work that CReSTIC has led for several years on the definition and design of a logic filter (placed into a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)) robust to control errors, and formally verified using a model checker. The proposed approach, which separates the functional control part from the safety control part, is simple to implement and ensures that the designed controller is safe. The methodology is based on the use of safety constraints coming from the filter in order to get the most permissive safe controller. This controller is then constrained by functional constraints. The approach is illustrated by using an example of sorting boxes simulated using the ITS PLC software from the Real Games company ( www.realgames.pt ). The control algorithm is presented and allows to result in a safe control, may be simpler than a conventional approach based on a specification in GRAFCET (IEC 60848), that does not distinguish the functional aspect from the safety aspect. This approach presents interesting perspectives like the management of several operating modes.

Control synthesis based on logical constraints for safe manufacturing systems

Abstract This paper presents an original approach of safe control synthesis of manufacturing systems. This approach is based on the use of a logic filter (placed at the end of PLC (Programmable Logic Controller)) robust to control errors, and formally validated using a model checker. The proposed approach, which separates the functional control part from the safety control part, is simple to implement and ensures that the designed controller is safe. The methodology is based on the use of safety constraints coming from the filter in order to get the most permissive safe controller. This controller is then constrained by functional constraints. The approach is illustrated by using an example of sorting boxes simulated using the ITS PLC software from the Real Games company ( www.realgames.pt ). The control algorithm is presented and allows to result in a safe control, may be simpler than a conventional approach based on a specification in GRAFCET (IEC 60848), that does not distinguish the functional aspect from the safety aspect. This approach involves a new way to see the control of manufacturing systems and presents interesting perspectives like the management of several operating modes.

Decision support systems for air traffic controllers based on the analysis of their decision-making processes

The growth of air traffic generates a multitude of data and parameters that makes it increasing difficult for air traffic controllers to choose rapidly and safely what to decide. The study of air-traffic control of full or partial automation over the past years highlights the need for better tools to meet the challenges of modern air-traffic management. Initial attempts of full automation have mistakenly side lined air-traffic controllers in their role as key players in air-traffic management. This has led to human-machine cooperation studies that actively involve air-traffic controllers in the resolution of problems. Such studies show the advantages of creating cooperative tools in concert with the conflict management process. The designing of conflict resolution tools in this way implies, however, detailed knowledge of air traffic controllers’ decision-making processes. To do this, we have developed a cooperative multi-criteria approach based on data taken from case study interviews. This shows how it is possible to extract criteria and preferences in designing bottom-up decision aiding tools. In doing this, we have laid down the foundation for the creation of decision support system.

Choice, sorting and ranking in aerial conflict management

Abstract In the Air Traffic control, many decisions must be taken, quickly. Due to the increase of traffic, these decisions are more and more numerous. It is possible to propose some assistance tools to air traffic controllers in order to help them to make decisions. For that purpose we need to understand how the controllers make these decisions. This paper proposes a knowledge acquisition approach composed of three steps: an analysis of the decision-making process, a multiple criteria methodology, and interviews in order to obtain information, and to develop models. The last part of this paper presents the results we expect to obtain with appropriate interviews and analyse.

Decision analysis of Air Traffic Controller in order to propose decision support systems

The Air Traffic Controller must take important decisions in each moment. They manipulate a lot of data and parameters. With the increase of traffic it is more difficult to take decision rapidly and safely. In this paper we try to provide some tools able to help the Controller in their work. To do that it is necessary to access to their decision-making process. We propose an approach. This approach is composed of a multiple criteria methodology, and interviews to obtain data. We present next an analysis of these interviews. This analysis show what we can extract from this technique: criteria, preferences for the multiple criteria methodology, and how we use it for propose some tools. The following step will be to integrate the results of these analyses to our system.