EADS N.V. - EADS to supply digital radio system for Düsseldorf airport

Airport operator Flughafen Düsseldorf GmbH has appointed EADS to replace Düsseldorf Airport’s existing analogue trunked radio system and its EADS analogue private radio network with a new digital trunked radio system based on the TETRAPOL standard. The new TETRAPOL network meets stringent requirements for security, performance and cost-effectiveness. The contract, valued at several million euros, also encompasses network operation and technical support for a period of 10 years.

The common-frequency TETRAPOL system will be equipped with four base stations, fully integrated with the existing security control and baggage handling control centres. Clearly demonstrating EADS’ capabilities as a system integrator, this new digital radio communication system will feature special applications for the control and monitoring of runway lighting, a duty surveillance system for security agents, links to the processing systems for registration and clearance. In addition, all mobile radio processes used by the airport fire brigade will be fully integrated into the new system.

The new airport network is designed to support 2,000 communication terminals and is scheduled for completion in October 2006. In addition to the airlines’ aircraft handling services, the network will also be used by air traffic control, the air safety authorities, security services and the airport fire brigade. The TETRAPOL radio system will link into the existing in-house radio infrastructure serving the airport buildings, enabling, all users at Düsseldorf airport to work with the same technology on a common communications platform for the first time.

Airport radio is a core competence of EADS’ communication activities. The company is a market leader in analogue and digital radio systems for airports and has already installed analogue trunked radio systems at Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, Geneva, Zurich, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich and Berlin-Schönefeld. This intimate knowledge of the special requirements of airport installations is now being applied in the construction of customised digital airport networks. The first airport customers to benefit from the advantages of EADS digital trunked radio were Berlin-Tegel, Zurich-Kloten, Frankfurt/Main and now also Düsseldorf. These networks provide such features as control-tower communication links, integrated voice and data services and custom calling, which considerably simplifies the communication aspects of airport operations and flight handling on the ground.

As well as airports radio systems supplied by EADS are in use with industrial firms, public transport operators, government agencies and other organisations concerned with safety and security use radio systems supplied by EADS.

EADS Defence and Security Systems, with revenues of about € 5.4 billion in 2004 and roughly 24,000 employees across ten nations, forms the defence pole within EADS. It offers integrated systems solutions to the new challenges confronting armed forces and homeland security units. It is active in the areas of military aircraft, missile systems, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems with manned and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), battlefield management systems, defence electronics, sensors and avionics, and related services.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2004, EADS generated revenues of € 31.8 billion and employed a workforce of about 110,000.

EADS to supply digital radio system for Düsseldorf airport

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