Centralised code assignment and management system

We optimise the efficiency of European Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) code management by centrally selecting code for each flight within its area of applicability using an intelligent algorithm and distributing it to the appropriate ATS unit. Our system is implemented in 20 States.

Our collaborative Centralised Code Assignment & Management System (CCAMS) is the most efficient way to use Mode 3/A codes within the European network. It uses available flight plan data to assign Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) codes to flights at the time they are actually required, using an intelligent algorithm, rather than using the current inflexible and static code allocation to States.

CCAMS is a collaborative system for the most efficient use of Mode 3/A codes in the European network. It provides:

• efficient management of SSR codes;
• maximum retention of a code;
• reduction of code conflicts;
• flexibility to match future demands;
• SSR codes for special events and military exercises.

CCAMS consists of a central server located at EUROCONTROL's premises. It provides a unique code for general air traffic operating in the region. This server:

• automatically selects and sends a code to all the units along the flight’s route, based on the information available from other NM systems;
• responds to code requests received from air traffic control (ATC) units;
• ensures a code conflict-free trajectory for the flight, allowing the code to be retained in the CCAMS area;
• monitors code use to ensure safe and efficient operations.

Since the mid-1990s, individual States have been forecasting potential shortages in their allocation of SSR codes to meet the forecast growth in air traffic.

Until now, changes to the ORCAM rules, FDPS (Flight Data Processing System) functionality upgrades, and close coordination between States, have ensured that no major safety or capacity issues would arise routinely.

Increasingly since 2000, ORCAM States have been raising serious concerns about their ability to meet future demand using the existing SSR code management methodology, for several reasons:

• the basis of ORCAM are the traffic flows and Participating Areas (PA) structure;
• the geo-political map of Europe changed;
• new States needed to have SSR codes allotted to them;
• the use of secondary radar in neighbouring ICAO regions, such as Africa and Mid-Asia, is leading to more limitations in code usage;
• the levels of air traffic have risen considerably over the last decade and forecasts indicate that the level of traffic will continue to increase significantly;
• the instances of SSR code conflicts are increasing and are suffered by many of the ORCAM States.

The Provisional Council of EUROCONTROL approved CCAMS at its 26th Session in November 2006. EUROCONTROL set up a project for the development and the implementation of CCAMS as a pan-European solution to overcome the shortages of the SSR codes used by air traffic control (ATC) for radar services. Currently, implementation is planned in 20 States.

ICAO Paris has recognised CCAMS as the short- to medium-term solution to code shortages, as have military aviation, industry and airspace user organisations in their respective high-level working arrangements.

CCAMS User Group (CUG) members, nominated by air navigation service providers (ANSPs), coordinate activities locally and ensure that local systems are adapted in time. They are also responsible for developing procedures for implementing CCAMS.