The GPL supports both the HFL and the National Simulation Capability (NSC) by providing the engineering resources necessary to conduct diverse experiments. Staffed by a team of engineers and scientists, the GPL's purpose is to develop or customize hardware and software under evaluation in the HFL.

The GPL is equipped with a variety of computer systems that may be rapidly customized to support a given experiment. Test equipment facilitates the interfacing and integration of HFL/NSC experiments with other research organizations, such as universities, private industry and other government laboratories. Within the GPL, one finds the unglamorous elements necessary to produce the dynamic simulations conducted in the ERs (i.e., raw integrated circuits, wire, prototyping boards and hundreds of reference manuals, etc.). Most importantly, the GPL is staffed by a team that understands the details that make up the various components of the National Airspace System (NAS) function.

The GPL allows for rapidly-prototyped interfaces to be converted to functional prototypes that may be deployed for actual field evaluation. Also, the GPL supports the PHASE III enhancements for the General NAS Sector (GNAS) Maintenance Control Center (MCC) -- the primary human-interface for performing 21st century airway facilities maintenance automation. The real-time weather information displays developed for this effort have been ported to the FAA Technical Center's Administrative Local Area Network (LAN) and are maintained through the GPL.  Back