Simulation Hub for ATFCM Decision - Support and Operational Workbench (SHADOW)

SHADOW is the EUROCONTROL real-time simulation platform for Network Management validations. It replicates the iNM B2B platform, enabling interaction with the EUROCONTROL ATFCM platform in a controlled simulation environment, with the aim of validating operational concepts. SHADOW supports both human-in-the-loop and B2B-driven validation exercises. Its main features are rapid prototyping, scenario-based validation, time-based simulation, collaborative decision making, closed loop with ATC simulators, B2B services compliant with the NM operating system, connectivity with external platforms and tools (e.g. Airport, FOC), and sharing of prototypes with the iNMVP.

SHADOW is implemented by using proven off-the shelf technologies like Apache Tomcat, Jetty, Hibernate, PostgreSQL, RabbitMQ, JAVA, SOAP, REST.

SHADOW offers most of our Network Manager business-to-business web services and publish/subscribe services, always compatible with operational NM release N-1, providing client systems and HMI tools an easy path towards integration with the operational NM system.

SHADOW can implement additional services and features at the request of projects before their final implementation in the NMVP or NM OPS system, allowing faster development cycles and risk and cost reduction.

SHADOW offers some REST services for simulation control and exchange of simulation-specific environment files between connected systems.

SHADOW B2B web services can run in a cloud-based environment allowing for distributed simulations using easy connections through the internet.

INNOVE offers customised solutions to connect to other simulators in an integrated validation platform. INNOVE comes standard with a connection to the RAMS ATC simulator, providing a closed loop simulation between ATFM and ATC. A connection to other ATC simulators like EDEP and ESCAPE is in the pipeline. INNOVE has already successfully integrated with the ATHOS Airport simulation platform.

SHADOW simulations are based on data recorded by the operational NM system. Traffic data is based on allFT+ data files and airspace data on DDR2 data files. NEST and RNEST can be used as tools to generate the required simulation data for an SHADOW scenario.

SHADOW can produce output files during or after an SHADOW simulation. Those files are RNEST compatible files and can be injected into RNEST analysis tools for post-simulation analysis and report production.