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Operational Display Systems in avionics, refers to systems used for tracking the status of multiple objects. Operational Displays Systems are usually being developed by large countries' Civil Aviation Authorities (such as the FAA in the USA, or Eurocontrol in Europe), with inputs from technology companies and air traffic controllers associations.
Air traffic control systems gradually evolved from the old sweeping radar to modern computer-driven systems showing maps, weather info, airplane routes and digitized radar tracks on an ergonomic console.
Whereas in the past the information came only from a radar, current systems get inputs from a variety of sources. Radar is still used (multiple sources instead of just one), but is now complemented by transponder data (the aircraft sending out information regarding altitude and identifications) and soon satellite data (for more accurate positioning and overseas navigation).
As most data is now digital, this opens the way for extra functionalities to be embedded in the modern Operational Display System, such as trajectory prediction, conflict warnings, traffic flow management, arrival optimisation, etc...
On the display side, the round radar was replaced by computer-driven cathode ray tubes, which now are being replaced by modern LCD flat screens.
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