A UAS-ATC Simulation Test-Bed

The proposed solution is to create a high fidelity simulation environment that merges a UAS ground control station (GCS) simulator with an air traffic control (ATC) simulator. The UAS GCS station will have the capability of introducing a single UAS or multiple UASs simulator operated by a single and/or multiple UAS pilots into the ATC. This simulation will have the ability to simulate manned aircraft, among others in the airspace. It will allow the UAS GCS to communicate with ATC as well as other manned aircraft through the use of a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) based intercom system. In addition to voice communications, a text-based chat system may also be utilized for communication among the different operators. Information regarding position and altitude for all aircraft will be available to the UAS GCS, ATC, as well as manned aircraft. The ATC simulator will be able to relay information regarding the position of other aircraft within 5nm horizontal and 1200 feet vertical separation to the UAS GCS through formatted messages.