Automatic Flight Callsign Identification on a Controller Working Position: Real-Time Simulation and Analysis of Operational Recordings

Abstract

In the air traffic management (ATM) environment, air traffic controllers (ATCos) and flight crews, (FCs) communicate via voice to exchange different types of data such as commands, readbacks (confirmation of reception of the command) and information related to the air traffic environment. Speech recognition can be used in these voice exchanges to support ATCos in their work; each time a flight identification or callsign is mentioned by the controller or the pilot, the flight is recognised through automatic speech recognition (ASR) and the callsign is highlighted on the ATCo screen to increase their situational awareness and safety. This paper presents the work that is being performed within SESAR2020-founded solution PJ.10-W2-96 ASR in callsign recognition via voice by Enaire, Indra, and Crida using ASR models developed jointly by EML Speech Technology GmbH (EML) and Crida. The paper describes the ATCo speech environment and presents the main requirements impacting the design, the implementation performed, and the outcomes obtained using real operation communications and real-time simulations. The findings indicate a way forward incorporating partial recognition of callsigns and enriching the phonetization of company names to improve the recognition rates, currently set at 84–87% for controllers and 49–67% for flight crew.