TC Communications delivers mission-critical networking solutions for airport and airfield environments, supporting radar systems, airfield lighting, perimeter security, terminal node networking, and ED-137-compliant IP voice transport for air traffic control communications and airport operations.
As aviation infrastructure modernizes to meet increasing traffic, safety, and interoperability requirements, aging copper and legacy systems pose growing operational risks. Our fiber-based and IP-ready solutions help airports and ANSPs migrate to resilient, future-ready communications networks.
ED-137 Compliant IP Voice Transport for Aviation
EUROCAE ED-137 defines the global interoperability standard for Voice-over-IP (VoIP) communications in air traffic management environments and is widely adopted across the aviation industry in Europe and the U.S.
TC Communications supports ED-137-ready IP transport architectures, enabling airports and ANSPs to migrate from legacy analog and copper-based infrastructure to secure, fiber-based networks designed for reliability, redundancy, and regulatory alignment.
Industry Solutions
TC Communications offers solutions to allow aviation customers to upgrade from copper leased line infrastructure to more reliable Ethernet/IP, T1/E1, or dark fiber networks.
For updating communication for radar data from leased lines and serial communication, TC Communications offers a variety of solutions for Ethernet, T1/E1, and fiber communications. Our four-wire solutions allow all legacy modem traffic to be transported, while our serial-compatible devices allow for simple setup to transport all forms of serial data.
While historically, the TC3846-6 Analog and Dry Contact IP Gateway has been used for ground-to-air radio, its proprietary IP connectivity scheme does not meet ED-137 requirements.
To meet ED-136 standards, TC has introduced the TC1925 2/4-Wire ED-137 Radio Gateway to allow aviation networks to transition critical analog voice and control signals into VoIP environments that align with ED-137 interoperability requirements. It is used to connect analog dispatch to ED-137-compatible radio or to analog radio, as well as to connect IP-based dispatch to analog radio.
For use with dark fiber, where an ED-137 solution is still required, the TC1925 may be paired with the TC3840U Management card Ethernet solution. Whether upgrading existing ATC voice systems or deploying new IP-based infrastructure, our platforms help ensure seamless integration and future-proof compliance for air traffic systems.
TC Communications' products transport critical communications between airport runway, control tower and operations buildings. Our product lines support multiple interface types including copper and fiber backhaul options. This diagram illustrates transport of Instrument Landing System (ILS) communications including glide slope and localizer data while integrating telephony and status data over a single platform. In addition airport terminal information system (ATIS) data can also be integrated.
TC Communications' JumboSwitch product line is used to transport airport communications radio networks while adding resiliency/reliability. This diagram illustrates integrating radio communications between the Digital Antenna System (DAS), air traffic control and weather operations buildings via an upgraded self-healing fiber optic ring.
TC Communications designs critical communications products including emergency phone line and crash phone applications. These products include a multitude of options including virtual PBX, hot line and party line allowing initiator of the call to have a conversation with up to seven remote locations. In addition we can include a two master port option to accommodate dual control tower airports for failover and redundancy.
Case Studies
Airfield Migrates to Fiber Network Improving Communications Quality and Operations
An airfield in the U.S. was facing multiple challenges impacting two of its communications networks. The location had been dealing with signal quality issues, degrading copper and system shutdowns. The airfield was in search of a single vendor that could migrate its communications network, including its radio network between the tower, their weather command post and radar approach control (RAPCON). In addition, glide slope, localizer data, and telephony for two runways had to be integrated with their headend at RAPCON.
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Juggling a Backbone Mandate While Integrating with an Ongoing Upgrade
This airfield was mandated to upgrade its existing copper backbone to fiber, resulting in the need to upgrade their communications network. In addition, the airfield was performing an upgrade of their airfield radio system which needed to integrate with the proposed communications network solution. TC Communications assisted in migrating the entire communications network including communications between ground to air transmit receive (GATR), air traffic control (ATC), and the weather command post.
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ANSP Upgrades Nationwide Radar System to Modern IP Network with JumboSwitch
TC Communications was approached by Nav Canada, an air navigation service provider that was in the process of upgrading existing radar sites using modems over leased copper wires to a new generation of radar using Ethernet/IP to carry data between remote sites. The ANSP decided to evaluate solutions to replace the leased line/modem solution with a modern TDM over Ethernet/IP solution, with plans to deploy for over 40 sites.
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Salt Lake City Airport Connects Critical Ground-to-Air Communications for De-Icing
Understanding the critical nature of communication clarity in harsh environments, one of Salt Lake City (SLC) International Airport’s primary airlines partnered with TC Communications to move from a copper-based network to a more robust, IP-based network for its communication between the airline’s de-icing crews and the de-icing coordinators, one that would remain reliable during adverse weather conditions. The result successfully connected field personnel to the fleet of de-icing vehicles via dispatch over a Gigabit Ethernet network.
Read the full case"TC Comm has been professional, energetic, and anxious to provide the best services available."
- Donald T Hodges, Ice Technical Services
