airspace mgt
TRANSCRIPT
INTRODUCTION
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) was created vide Act No.48 of 1999 of The Federal republic of Nigeria, to develop the Nigerian Airspace to a level of consistent with the requirements of ICAO Standards And Recommended Practices (SARPS). ICAO is charged with the responsibility of regulating and ensuring safe Air Navigation worldwide, in lieu of this, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency is therefore propelled to provide Air Traffic Management to ensure a safe, efficient, and economic flight operations.
VISIONThe organization, NAMA has set a vision of making the Nigerian
Airspace rank among the safest airspaces in the African – Indian Ocean Region.
OBJECTIVES
Towards the actualization of vision, the Company has set the following objectives:
- To continue to provide safe and functional air navigation services that will meet international standards.
-To increase Air Traffic Control (ATC) capacities in order to manage the increasing air traffic volume and simultaneously reduce delays.
-To enhance the service quality.
-To reduce the cost for users.
FUNCTIONS OF AGENCY
The agency is to:
- Provide Air Traffic services in Nigeria, including air traffic control, visual and non-visual aids, aeronautical telecommunication services and electricity supplies relating thereto, to enable public transport, private businesses and military aircraft fly, as far as
practicable and as safe as possible.
-Obviate the need for civil aircraft to obtain special air defense clearance.
- Co-ordinate the implementation of Aeronautical, Search and Rescue Services.
-Discharge the operational, technical and financial air traffic services commitments arising from Nigeria’s membership of international organizations and other air navigation service agencies.
-Take necessary steps to prevent as far as possible penetration of controlled airspace by any aircraft civil or military, in co-ordination with the air traffic control unit concerned.
-Charge for services provided by the agency.
- Undertake systems engineering development and implementation for communication,
navigation, surveillance, and air traffic management.
- Generally, secure the safety, efficiency, and regularity of air navigation.
- Ensure an effective co-ordination in the use of Nigerian Airspace in line with established standards and procedures.
OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLE
The organization is guided by the following principles: -Aircraft Operating agencies and flying public are our primary customers and
must be given the highest quality services.
-Aviation equipment manufacturers and other related agencies are those we rely on for our operational equipment / services.
DIRECTORATE OF THE COMPANY
NAMA has three directorates namely:
(1) Operations.
(2) Electronics and Engineering Services.
(3) Finance and Admin.
DIRECTORATE OF ELECTRONICS AND ENGINEERING SERVICES
The Air Traffic Safety Electronics Services directorate of the Nigerian Air space
Management Agency (NAMA), is one of the three directorates that constitute the
agency. It is structured to incorporate the following departments:
- Satellite Communication (SATCOM) / Electronic Communication.
- Air Navigational Aids (NAVAIDS).
- Surveillance.
- Electro-Mechanical / Networking Layout.
FUNCTIONS OF EACH DEPARTMENTS
ELECTRONICS COMMUNICATIONS: the primary function of the department is
to provide, install, and maintain communication facilities that are employed
in Air Traffic Management Services, and operates for improved and enhanced
Air-Navigational safety. These include:
(i) Very High Frequency (VHF) Air-to-Ground Radio Communication.
(ii) High Frequency (HF) Voice and Data Network.
(iii) Satellite Communication Network (AFISNET) supporting the following
Services: - Aeronautical Fixed Telecom Network (AFTN)
-ATS Direct Speech (ATS-DS) Network.
- Remote Control Air-to-Ground (RGAG) Network.
(iv) Telephone and Switching Systems.
SURVEILLANCE: the surveillance department is responsible for the provision of
both the Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR), and the Monopoles Secondary Radar (MSSR)
for the purpose of Radar Control of the Air-space. The Nigerian ATM Project aimed at
providing coverage for the Nigerian Air-space in progress.
ELECTROMECHANICAL:
The principal duties of the department are to provide, install, and
Maintain Generating plants, Air conditioners, Refrigerators, Vehicles and
Pneumatic / Hydraulic based equipment that will enhance Air Navigation Safety.
SATELLITE COMMUNICATION (SATCOM)
Satellite technology was invented to curb the set back suffered by the
Air Traffic Services in Nigeria aviation which range from unreliability to poor quality service delivery.
The ability of its signal being able to penetrate the ionosphere without
bending or being reflected and not being affected by electrical noise or weather makes it more effective than the old technology. It has digital signals for data and voice communication.
The Satellite presently in use by NAMA SATCOM is the INTELSAT 10-02
located at 359 E. It has both hemispherical and zonal coverage. ̊�
COMPONENTS
SATCOM system has two major components which are:
(1) The Ground Earth Station, and
(2) The Aircraft Earth Station.
WHAT IS AN EARTH STATION?
An Earth Station is the transmission and reception terminal of a telecommunication link via Satellite. It operates large dishes for communicating with Satellite.
An Earth Station consists of the following main sub-systems:
i. The Antenna System
ii. The Receiver Amplifier ( Low-noise )
iii. The Transmitter Amplifier ( Power )
iv. The Telecommunication Equipment (Frequency converter and MODEMS )
v. The Multiplexing and De-multiplexing Equipment
vi. The Equipment for connection with the terrestrial network
vii. The Auxiliary Equipment
viii. The Power Supply Equipment
ix. The General Infrastructures
DESCRIPTION OF NAMA EARTH STATION
It is a standard BF2 Earth Station which operates in the C-band of INTEL SAT 10-02.
It operates in 6 / 4GHz band-width with medium size antenna diameter. The Up-link
Frequency is 6GHz.The transmission line use elliptical wave guide while reception lines
use co-axial.
Modulation technique is PSK-SCPC-FDMA telephony and data. It also employs voice
Voice activation for telephony.
The sub-systems of SATCOM Earth Station are described below:
THE ANTENNA SYSTEM
It is the most conspicuous and the most impressive sub-system of the Earth
station. It is common to transmission and reception and it must have;
i. High gain for transmission and reception, requiring reflectors which are large in relation to wave length and frequency.
ii. Low level of interference (for maximum transmission) and low level of sensitivity to interference (for reception), calling for radiation diagram with low levels outside the main lobes (small side lobes).
iii. Radiation with High Polarization Purity.
iv. For reception, low sensitivity to Thermal Noise due to ground radiation and various losses.
The antenna consists of:
i. Mechanical System which comprises of the; main reflector, pedestal, driving gear and the servo-system.
ii. The Primary Source comprising of the; illuminating horn, and non-radiating components like tracking coupler, polarizer, diplexers, etc.
iii. Receiver of automatic tracking device (Beacon receiver and ACU).
PARABOLIC ANTENNA
SHELTER
THE LOW NOISE AMPLIFIER
The signals from the Satellite is usually weak hence, the Earth Station
Antenna has to be connected to a highly sensitive receiver in order to be
able to capture the weak signal from the Satellite. i.e. a receiver with low
inherent thermal noise. It should be connected close to the antenna to minimize
feed line losses or make it less critical. i.e. additional noise caused by losses
from the wave guide and are being reduced by connecting the LNA close to the
Diplexer of the antenna field. It is wideband . i.e. a single amplifier simultaneously
amplifies all the carrier emerging from the receivers’ port of the antenna diplexer
The basic parameter that characterizes the sensitivity for reception is the
ratio of the antenna gain (G) to the total noise temperature (T) ; G/T.
LOW-NOISE AMPLIFIER
POWER AMPLIFIER (HPA/SSPA)
As a result of the directivity of the antenna, the antenna has a substantial
gain which typically allows the power required at the transmitter output to be
One Watt (1 W) or less per telephone channel.
The two (2) main types of microwave tubes used in power amplifiers
are ;
a. Travelling wave tube (TWT) and
b. Klystrons.
The travelling wave tube is a wide band amplifier which covers the entire
usable band amplifier which covers the entire usable band of the Satellite
(500 MHz or more). It allows several carriers to be transmitted simultaneously
with a single tube, irrespective of the repeaters and the frequencies allocated
to these carriers. On the other hand, Klystrons are narrow instantaneous pass band
tubes used to transmit only a small number of Frequency Division Multiple Access
(FDMA) carriers.
The Solid State Power Amplifiers (SSPA) are used in small low-capacity stations
like NAMA network.
SOLID STATE POWER AMPLIFIER
TELECOMMUNICATION EQUIPMENTS
A Telecommunication equipment is an equipment which modulates the very
high frequency signals (base-band) for emission and extracts (demodulates) these
Audio-frequency signals on reception. These equipments are the; Frequency
converters and the Modulating / Demodulating Equipment (MODEM).
FREQUENCY CONVERTERS
a. UP CONVERTER (U/C)
It converts intermediate frequency signals e.g. (IF 70Hz, 140Hz etc)
from modulator to radio frequency signal (6GHz or 14GHz).
The signals are then amplified by the SSPA before transmission
to the antenna.
b. DOWN CONVERTERS
The change radio-frequency signals e.g. (4GHz or 11GHz) received by
the antenna and pre-amplified by the Low Noise Amplifier, LNA into
Intermediate Frequency (IF) signals. These signals are then translated to
the base band in the demodulator.
MODULATING / DEMODULATING EQUIPMENT (MODEM)
It super imposes audio-frequency signals on the intermediate frequency (modulators) or
extracts them from the intermediate frequency (IF) carrier (demodulator). The base-band
frequency used here is 70GHz.
The demodulator is to recover the AM of the base-band signal which is proportional
to the instantaneous frequency deviation of the received carrier.
SIGNAL PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (TIM, CODER, DECODER)
For digital transmission using Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), signal processing
equipment is required to:
i. Format the digital data.
ii. Synchronize on transmission and reception position of burst in
the frame (on transmission) recovery of bursts (on reception)
iii. Encode / Decode to modify the bit streams for transmission via
satellite as in correction coding.
iv. Improve transmission and make it more reliable.
MULTIPLEX / DEMULTIPLEX EQUIPMENT
This serves as an interface between Satellite transmission and connection to the terrestrial network. Its particular functions is the multiplexing / de multiplexing the service
channels which are normally transmitted in the 4 – 12KHz sub-base band.
The multiplex / de multiplex equipment may also perform the function of digital speech
Interpolation (DSI). This function ensures that the in-active periods in both directions of a duplex
telephone call may be profitably used to combine the bits from the telephone channels of the
multiplex and thereby increase the capacity of the transmission channel.
THE MULTIPLEX / DEMULTIPLEX EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENTS FOR CONNCETION TO THE TERRESTRIAL NETWORK A switching system (SITTI) which forms a local distribution network is used to
connect the Earth Station to the Terrestrial Network for Telephony. The equipment
is made up of two (2) sections; the radio and the telephone switching section.
The terrestrial locations include the Control Tower, ACC of Stations on ATS / DS and
remote location of radio (RCAG).
ADDITIONAL (AUXILLIARY) EQUIPMENTS
They include: Supervisory and command equipment.
Measuring instruments such as spectrum analyzer, Marconi digital
analyzer, Power. Other test gears; Noise generator, Oscilloscope.
The Monitoring and Control Systems (MACS) are used for: monitoring alarm signals
from the Station sub-systems, Controls, sometimes automatic for switching of spare
part equipment, and analogue information for supervising the operation of the
sub-systems and sometimes equipments for storing and / or recording the station’s
most important operating parameters.
POWER SUPPLY EQUIPMENT
The two (2) main sources of power used here are :
I .The main power supply with stand-by capacity.
ii. The Un-interrupted Power Supply (UPS).
An auxiliary low voltage (24V greater than 4ѕV) D.C source is used to supply
certain automatic equipment, radios and consoles.
THE SPECTRUM ANALYZER
INFORMATION TECH
AUDIT
LEGAL
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
QUALITY ASSURANCE
PROP. & MAINTENANCE
LOGISTICS
PROTOCOL
MANAGING
DIRECTOR
DIRECTORATE OF
ADMINISTRATION
DIRECTORATE OF
FINANCE
DIRECTORATE OF
AIR TRAFFIC SAFETY
ELECTRONICS SERV
DIRECTORATE
OF AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION
SUPPLIES
FINANCE
COMMERCIAL
ELECTRONICS COMM
NAVIGATION
SURVEILLANCE
ATC & STD.SEARCH & RESCUE
AIRSPACE PLANNING / TECHNICAL EVALUATION AERO OPERA
AERO INFO SERV
SOUTHERN REGION NORTHERN REGION
NAMA ORGANOGRAM
BACK GROUND OF INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FUND (ITF)
The Industrial Training Fund was established in 1971, she has operated efficiently
and fair starkly within the context of the establishing laws i.e. Decree 47 of 1971. The
objectives of her establishment has been vigorously and efficaciously pursued. In
almost four decades of establishment, the ITF has not only ignite training consciousness
in the economy but has also assisted in generating a corps of skilled indigenous man
power which has been making and managing various sectors of the Nation’s Economy.
Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is the bridge between two
Seemingly parallel worlds: the four walls of a classroom and the world of work hence,
the participation in SIWES has become a necessary pre-condition for the award of
Diploma and Degree certificates in specific disciplines in most Higher Institutions of
learning in this country, in accordance with the education policy.
OBJECTIVES OF INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FUND
FIELD REGIONS
As part of its responsibilities, the Industrial Training Fund:
1. provides direct training, vocational, and apprentice training.
2. reimburses 100% levy paid by employers of labour registered with it and administers the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).
3. provides human resource development information and training technology service to industry and commerce to enhance their effort.
4. has its main thrust of establishment to be stimulation of human performance, improving productivity and induction of value added production in Industry and Commerce.
5. through its SIWES and Vocational and Apprentice Training program, it has built capacity for Graduates and Youth Self-employment in context of all small scale industrialization in the economy.
CONCLUSION / SUMMARY
In my six months of Industrial Training at The Nigerian Airspace Management
Agency (NAMA), I have had a practical experience of the theories learnt in class
and have been built on how to handle some technical problems when they arise.
Though streinous and challenging, I have been made to realize that a Engineer
must be able to face any challenge boldly for in it lies his strength. NAMA has not
only built me to face engineering challenges but has also trained never to give up
no matter the challenge as an up-coming Engineer, this was well proven in the
participation I had in all the activities in the three departments under the directorate
I was attached to.
In conclusion, the importance of the Student Industrial Work Experience
Scheme (SIWES) cannot be under estimated as it has been very helpful in exposing
Students to the practical experiences of the theories learnt in class in their various
Institutions of learning which makes the course of study more real, thereby preparing
them for the outside world and also teaches them how to usefully contribute to the
industry and the economy.
Though enjoyable, I encountered some limitations such as being used like a
Staff without any compensation, which however thought me that learning first,
reward follows. I was also faced with dealing with arrogant staff and imposing ones
too, all these helped in improving my human-relation ability an additional experience
beside academics.
With reference to the program, I can confidently walk into the employment
world in pursuit of my future career.
RECOMMENDATION
The meaningful contribution of SIWES to the society development and the building
of man-power cannot be under rated as it has been contributing effectively to the
educational sector of this country. Kudos to the initiators and the initiative of the
Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
I recommend that the SIWES program should not be eradicated as it has been
giving students the opportunity to have Industrial experience of the theories learnt
in class thereby preparing them for the outside world and also giving them the real
picture of their course of study.
However, companies should have a more concrete plan for the training of the
Industrial trainee as it is rampant that most instructors have to combine their normal
job with the training of the students, having to concentrate on their job more than the
trainee.
Finally, the welfare of the students should be well considered as most
organizations do not pay the students while those who manage to do so give peanuts.
This has been left unattended to by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
5.0 SURVEILLANCE DEPARTMENT
Surveillance simply means monitoring a particular thing. In aviation, it is simply monitoring
the air space. The Surveillance Department is responsible for the provision of both the
Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR) and the Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR)
for the purpose of the radar control of the airspace.
5.1 RADAR AND ITS FUNCTIONS
RADAR is the acronym for Radio Detection and Ranging. It is simply using radio waves
to detect and get the range of an object. In aviation, it is simply using radio waves to
and get the range of an object in the air space. The radio waves are simply microwave
signals. The ones used in NAMA have a speed of 15rev/min.
5.1.1 TYPES OF RADAR
As far as NAMA is concerned, there are two types of RADAR namely:
THE PRIMARY SURVEILLANCE RADAR; this sends signals from the ground to hit
the surface
of the object in air; a metal surface in the case of an air plane. The sent signal is reflected
from the object surface and the radar receives an echo called SKIN RETURN. Hence, it can
be said that the Primary Surveillance Radar uses the echo principle. It covers 250 Nortical
miles.
It is used as back up as the Skin return is very weak, and the radar is not intelligent
since it does not supply adequate information about the object in air.
5.1.1.2 THE MONOPULSE SECONDARY SURVEILLANCE RADAR (MSSR); it consists of the
Transponder; a transmitter- responder which receives a signal from a ground station
(‘’ an interrogator ‘’) and automatically transmits a reply. The transponder reply provides
the airplane’s ID, altitude, and other data. It has coverage of 250 Nortical miles
as specified by ICAO. It works with the transponder in the aircraft. The transponder of
the aircraft sends to and receives from the top section of a surveillance radar known as a
beacon integrator.
IMPORTANCE OF TRACON TO NAMA
The design of the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) has:
i. addressed the complete breakdown of Surveillance in NAMA.
ii. Ensured effective surveillance of the Nigerian airspace using six (6)
en-route and four (4) terminal radar and ADS-B facilities.
LIMITATIONS OF RADAR
The short-comings of RADAR are:
1. Weather which reduces its coverage. Although it is minimized when the signal travels elliptically but the effect is that the RADAR will not cover the required range.
2. It cannot transmit data and voice signals.
THE RADAR