iscover
Air traffic service providers are under increasing pressure to deliver continuity with less space and tighter budgets. A compact controller working position from Rohde & Schwarz is emerging as a practical option across multiple environments.
In air traffic control, the controller working position is fundamental to safety and continuity. However, traditional full-size positions are not always the most practical solution, particularly where redundancy, space constraints or rapid deployment are key considerations. The Compact Controller Working Position (cCWP) from Rohde & Schwarz is designed to address these operational realities.
In large ATM centres, system resilience is a primary concern. These facilities are heavily dependent on their main voice communication systems, yet duplicating full controller working positions for redundancy is often impractical due to cost and physical space limitations. The cCWP provides a lower-footprint alternative, integrating seamlessly into existing CERTIUM VCS environments while offering independent audio and rapid availability during failure scenarios. This allows controllers to maintain operations without the need for complex technical intervention.
“The objective isn’t to replicate full systems everywhere, but to ensure controllers can continue working immediately when it matters most,” says Rodney Sciortino, Head of Civil Air Traffic Control at Rohde & Schwarz Australia and former Chief Operations Officer (ATM) at Airservices Australia.
For small and regional towers, the challenge is different. Limited cabin space, single-manned operations and legacy equipment remain common. In these environments, a full-size working position can be excessive. The compact CWP consolidates multiple operational functions into a single, modern interface, reducing equipment clutter and simplifying day-to-day workflows. The familiar user interface also limits retraining requirements when controllers move between different tower environments.
“In smaller towers, the right solution is often the one that simplifies the workspace rather than adding more equipment,” Sciortino says.
The cCWP is equally suited to sites without a full VCS backbone, such as mobile towers, temporary facilities or contingency locations. In these cases, it can operate as a standalone unit, connecting directly to radios and supporting up to 12 frequencies from a single position. This plug-and-play capability enables rapid deployment and operational independence, particularly in time-critical or space-constrained scenarios.
Across its three primary use cases, (backup capability in large centres, primary positions in small or regional towers, and standalone operation in non-integrated sites) the cCWP reflects a broader shift towards fit-for-purpose ATC infrastructure. Rather than replicating full-scale systems everywhere, service providers are increasingly looking for solutions that align more closely with operational need.
While developed specifically for air traffic control environments, the underlying design principles of the compact CWP extend well beyond the tower or centre. Any operation that depends on continuous, reliable radio communications, often in space-constrained or distributed environments, faces similar challenges around resilience, simplicity and rapid recovery.
Industries such as mining operations, offshore oil and gas facilities, port and maritime operations, airline integrated operations centres, and other critical infrastructure environments share the same requirement to maintain clear, dependable radio contact with mobile assets and field personnel. In these settings, compact, standalone communication positions can provide operators with a practical way to sustain operations even when central systems are unavailable or infrastructure is limited.
In this context, compact does not equate to reduced capability. Instead, it represents a more targeted approach to resilience, flexibility and operational continuity, whether the assets being managed are aircraft, vehicles, vessels or field teams.
