Frequently Asked Questions

Most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
on the TTI WASP System

What is a typical WASP system?
The TTI Wireless Airport Surveillance Platform (WASP) is a centrally monitored network communications and surveillance platform designed for airport and aircraft surveillance and law enforcement to enhance Airport and National Security.  The WASP system combines the traditional elements of airport security and surveillance with the TTI Aircraft Tail Number Idendtification System (ATNIS) technology.

The combined WASP-ATNIS technology is the WASP system-a comprehensive airport surveillance and aircraft identification/tracking system that uses some of the lates advances in technology including wireless microwave, solar, infrared, digital and analog CCTV video, web based Internet Protocol (IP) networks, advanced audio and image analysis and object and character recognition.  The system is used to detect, identify, capture, decode, profile, record, alert, track and produce reports on all incoming and outgoing aircraft. 

How long does it take to install a WASP system?
An 8 camera system can be installed within a period of one week actual on-site work. Integration into existing systems (remote sites, gate controllers, cameras or to extend the network (for example to a police station) can take as little as one day. ATNIS solar units significantly reduce on-site installation time.

How will TTI work with me to install the system?
TTI will consult with you to determine the objectives of the system and will then develop a preliminary budget proposal that maximizes the systems features towards the primary objective. A full contract proposal will be developed after an on-site meeting with the airport and electrician and a preliminary site survey of the RF, power, camera and equipment locations is completed. TTI will work with the airports existing electrical contractors to install electrical.

Can the WASP system integrate with other network security systems at my airport?
Yes. WASP can be configured for standard open Ethernet Internet Protocol (IP) wireless communication or a wireless proprietary protocol, which means WASP can communicate on and with equipment and devices on an IP computer network. Each WASP unit is a fully functional router on a single board computer with a LINUX based operating system.

Can WASP use video feeds from my current cameras? How about gate controls?
Yes. WASP is camera and data independent and accepts inputs from both analog and digital video cameras as well as Ethernet inputs from gate controllers and other sensors. If your equipment can communicate on an IP network, WASP will move the data.

How is WASP able to obtain clear readings on tail numbers from the wide variety of large to medium size jets to small piston-powered aircraft and different types of graphics used to display tail numbers?
WASP uses several technologies including commercially available high quality day/night cameras with Infrared (IR) cut filters for best performance in low light and no light IR conditions. When WASP detects an aircraft, several pictures are taken to ensure enough frames are available for decoding as the aircraft position changes relative to lighting, angle, reflections, etc. A combination of software analysis and human verification provide extremely high accuracy in reading tail numbers.

Will there be a need to upgrade or replace software or hardware in the near future?
Since WASP is a hosted SQL Database solution and runs on Windows Internet Explorer Browser, no customer software is required to access aircraft information and run reports. The Linux OS of the individual WASP/ATNIS units are periodically upgraded remotely by TTI as part of the monitoring and service contract. If the customer requires a local on-site Network Video Recorder with application software, TTI will manage the system as part of the service contract. No hardware upgrades are required.

Has TSA or FAA seen your system in action? If so, what has been their impression?
WASP has been evaluated and demonstrated to DHS,TSA, FAA and TRB as well as other government agencies.  There is tremendous interest among the agencies.

How does the WASP system work if there is an incident in the middle of the night at an unattended general aviation airport?
The TTI Network Operations Center operates 24/7/365. Within seconds after an aircraft is detected by ATNIS, the data is  decoded and automatically registered to the central WASP database. When the aircraft is registered, WASP queries all active Aircraft Watch Lists and immediately sends an electronic alert to all corresponding designated alert recipients (responders). The alert message includes pre-defined event information along with snap-shot photographs and a hot link to a live streaming video PTZ camera for remote viewing, recording, tracking and investigation.

If an aircraft is placed on watch by the DEA, FBI, FAA or TSA, how will my airport know that? Do I need to have the WASP system?
A WASP system user or agency is given permission rights by an Airport WASP System Administrator or System Owner. An Airport System Administrator can assign users with various levels of permission and privileges within their assigned airport(s), including the ability to assign users and agencies permission to place an aircraft on watch. A user’s watch list however is unique and can only be viewed and edited by the user (author) who created it. Therefore, an aircraft on watch can only be known by the author who created it.

Will our airport personnel be trained on the WASP system? How long will training take?
A one day onsite or interactive web training session will be scheduled at the request of the WASP Airport System Administrator or Owner. Since the application is fully web based, much of the system is familiar and intuitive to computer users.  Training for users takes 2 hours.  Training for Administrator take 4 hours.

Do I get a log of all activity at my airport from WASP Database? Daily? Weekly?
Yes. Reports are at the heart of the WASP system. Users can choose to run reports from a selection of “quick view” formats or create, name and save their own custom formatted reports. All reports can be scheduled to execute, save and send (via email) based on date and time and/or other criteria such as: an alert condition, type of aircraft, color, weight or category such as home based or transient. 

Do my base and transient customers maintain their privacy?
Yes. The WASP Airport System Administrator/Owner is responsible for setting up user privileges that are consistent with their airport and/or agency policy requirements for data privacy. The systems permissions and privileges form a layered approach to data access and restriction.

Is the informatiion in the WASP database protected and backed up? Yes. The WASP Central Data Center, located in a Type II SAS Certified data center in Raleigh, North Carolina, is where the WASP application core and data hub reside.  The data center has multiple data feeds and triple redundent AC and power backups.  Data is backed up on and off site.  The data center has a 24/7 security guard, biometric access control, trap lock entry and surveillance cameras inside and outside.

Can I share information with State or Federal agencies? How is this accomplished?
The WASP System Administrator/Owner may share information with other airports, FBOs and/or agencies by a form of their own agreement. The airport system Administrator/Owner  is responsible for information shared in accordance with their agreements

Are there funding opportunities open to me? Is State or Federal funding available?
WASP is a dual use surveillance system that expands airport funding sources by providing real benefit and return on investment (ROI) while primarily functioning as an airport surveillance asset. Airport stakeholders and agencies such as TSA, DEA, Border Patrol and Local Law Enforcement have expressed interest to participate in funding WASP systems that provide them with law enforcement tools which they currently do not have. Similarly, we have found State DOT’s and the FAA interested in  funding of the WASP system as a means to  collect accurate aircraft movement which will help in State and Federal airport funding decisions. 

Where can I get more information?
Call and talk with one of our staff and periodically check our website for updates at www.ttiwireless.com. A live web demonstration of the WASP system can be scheduled.