top left top right

IDS5 for Air Traffic Control

IDS5 is an advanced information display system designed to:

  • Reduce controller workload
  • Increase situational awareness
  • Enhance operational efficiency
IDS5’s intuitive user interface provides rapid access to a wide array of information originating from multiple sources, all integrated for real-time access, consolidated display, and distribution over local and wide area networks. With 100 million display pages available for use, all charts, maps, publications, weather and sensor data are easily consolidated and immediately available to the user. Using IDS5’s built-in automation tools, updates to an unlimited number of pages are quickly accomplished.

The information and how it’s displayed is completely customizable ensuring that each controller has precisely what is needed for his or her position. Any information can be displayed on any given page. For example, critical information, such as the wind and altimeter, can be displayed on every page in the system. Regardless of the page the controller is viewing, critical data is always available.

In addition to having complete control over how information is displayed, any information can be set to alert upon update. These aural and visual alerts are configurable to provide specific notifications to only those controllers who need them, thus eliminating unnecessary distractions and nuisance alarms.

IDS5 is operationally proven technology, widely used throughout the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Army.

bottom left bottom right
top left top right

IDS5 Screen Captures


“The SA-IDS [Systems Atlanta IDS] is the third most important system we use. We need to talk to the pilot and we need to see the aircraft position on the radar display, but when it’s used right, everything else we need is on the IDS—so yeah, it’s the third most important system we use.” NATCA Facility Representative, Atlanta Large TRACON (A80)
bottom left bottom right

Much more than just an information display system


IDS5 is designed with reducing controller workload in mind. This is accomplished by combining manually input data, such as the current ATIS code, outages, and airfield status, with live interface data in any format necessary to meet the needs of the given operational position.

Under the FAA’s ACE-IDS program, close to 900 IDS5 workstations are installed and operational in 13 hub systems equipping more than 90 facilities.

IDS5 is also installed at Port Columbus (CMH) ATCT, TRACON, and three satellite facilities. The IDS5 system has 30 workstations and receives data from eight external interfaces. Although very similar to ACE-IDS systems, the Port Columbus system utilizes more recent IDS technologies designed to decrease controller workload and reduce database maintenance time.

The United States Air Force’s Airfield Automation System (AFAS) utilizes IDS5 in 70 air forces bases worldwide. IDS5 is installed in control towers, radar approach controls (RAPCONs) and Airfield Management. Like their FAA counterparts, the air force controllers use IDS5 to display numerous types of static information, such as letters of agreement, checklists, and approach charts. The static data is combined with live data from a variety of external interfaces that provide current wind and other weather information.

IDS5 External Interfaces


  • Runway Visual Range (RVR)
  • Low Level Wind Shear Alert System (LLWAS, LLWAS-2, LLWAS-NE)
  • Ribbon Display Terminal (RBDT)
  • Advanced Weather Integrated Processing System (AWIPS/AFOS)
  • ASOS Controller Equipment – Information Display System (ACE-IDS) Data Sharing
  • Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS)
  • Automated Weather System Sensors (AWSS) Bi-directional
  • Digital Altimeter Setting Indicator (DASI)
  • Flight Data Input Output (FDIO)
  • IDS Text Interface (IDS4, IDS5, ACE-IDS, AFAS)
  • Digital Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) Bi-directional, StarCaster
  • Terminal Doppler Weather Radar Graphical Situation Display (TDWR GSD)
  • IDS5 Data Exchange Service (DEX)
  • IDS5 File Import Service
  • IRIG-B Time Source
  • Joint Environmental Toolkit (JET) Air Force Weather System
  • New Tactical Forecast System (N-TFS)
  • Stand Alone Weather Sensors (SAWS)
  • Weather and Radar Processor (WARP) Satellite Imagery & Graphical Weather Products
  • Adacel MaxSim Tower Simulation System (TSS) & RADAR Simulation System

IDS5 has designed-in flexibility to meet operational needs across multiple ATC environments, such as

  • Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCT)
  • Terminal RADAR Approach Controls (TRACON)
  • RADAR Approach Controls (RAPCON)
  • Army Radar Approach Controls (ARAC)
  • Ground Controlled Approach (GCA)
  • RADAR Final Control (RFC)
  • Advisory Information Center/Control (AIC)
  • Automated Flight Service Stations (AFSS)
  • Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC)