Single-source for ATC communications – Rohde & Schwarz offers new voice communications systems

The safety of more than four billion passengers a year depends to a large extent on uninterrupted communications between air traffic controllers and pilots, from takeoff to landing. This is why ATC authorities need high-availability communications solutions, from the controller microphone to the radio antenna.

Safety is the top priority in air traffic management. For decades, Rohde & Schwarz has been viewed as a reliable partner for radiocommunications solutions. The reliability and high quality of our system solutions has been proven in more than 200 airports in over 80 countries, says Herbert Rewitzer, Head of the Radiocommunications Systems Division and a member of the Executive Board at Rohde & Schwarz. The new R&S VCS-4G family of voice communications systems is a logical extension of this system expertise.


A VCS connects air traffic controllers to radio stations that are usually spread out over several locations. Rohde & Schwarz now provides ATC authorities with a complete communications system, from the microphone to the antenna. Everything from a single source, including solutions for remote control, monitoring and remote maintenance of radios. A single source provides great benefits for customers, states Herbert Rewitzer. Our products are perfectly matched to each other. System integration is simpler and therefore costs are lower.


In addition to their high quality, Rohde & Schwarz solutions are always developed with the future in mind. VoIP is the upcoming technology for connecting radio stations to controller working positions. This trend is reinforced by the European Organization for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) which standardized VoIP in the ATC field. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and leading ATC authorities have adopted these standards. The R&S VCS-4G from Rohde & Schwarz is a fully IP-based VCS making it a technologically leading solution. The company’s entire ATC product portfolio is already ramped up for VoIP. At the same time, existing analog systems can be easily integrated into Rohde & Schwarz solutions, thereby protecting earlier investments.

The R&S VCS-4G voice communications systems is a further enhancement of a product developed by Rohde & Schwarz Topex. In December 2010, Rohde & Schwarz obtained a majority interest in Topex. The innovative approach of the Rohde & Schwarz Topex solution ideally fits in the Rohde & Schwarz product portfolio.