An operational WAM in frankfurt airspace

Extending the capacity of Frankfurt airport with an additional runway to the north of the existing runway system, the surveillance capability in Frankfurt Terminal Maneuvering Area (TMA) had to be adapted as well. Based on their surveillance strategy, the DFS invested in multilateration technology to establish a Precision Approach Monitor (PAM) system and integrate it into the existing surveillance infrastructure. After a phase of thorough planning and preparation and an open tender process, Thales was contracted to implement the PAM FRA system which is now going into operation. This paper reports the successful implementation and testing of an operational WAM system in one of the most congested airspaces of the world. Transponder anomalies found as well as methods and strategies to achieve required performances are presented.