ARC Technology Solutions

Client: The FAA controls the development of the air traffic control system and commercial space travel.

Situation: The FAA challenged ARC Technology Solutions to supply products and services for the new Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) Receiver module. ARC was chosen for this effort due to our competitive pricing, our understanding of complex RF based devices, and our history of successful implementation across several radar platforms. ARC is proud to have over 35 items designed within the National Airspace System.

The TDWR is fielded at 47 of the Nation’s largest airports. The system provides increased safety measures and improved runway/airfield management through detection and display of micro bursts, gust fronts, prediction of wind shifts, and precipitation. It provides hazardous weather alerts in the terminal area and provides advanced notice of changing wind conditions to permit the timely redirection of air traffic flow.

Solution: The new receiver will replace four legacy modules within the system, and provide improved operation and sustainability. The prototype version was conceived collaboratively by the FAA and MIT-Lincoln Laboratories. ARC was challenged to update the conceptual prototype, and design a receiver that could be efficiently manufactured, tested, and installed into the field systems. ARC enhanced the prototype by developing several internal components of the receiver to meet the operational requirements, while staying within the physical size needed for seamless system installation.

ARC's updated design passed all First Article and initial field testing. Our engineering team has developed an automated test platform to allow for accurate verification and timely delivery for the production units. Delivery will be complete by Q1 of 2008, with installation by the FAA scheduled for the remainder of 2008.