What is digital AGL control?
Lighting commands and status carried as digital messages from the operator to the lights and back, with the certified control and local fallback still underneath.
Digital AGL control is the control of airfield lighting through digital messages. A command goes from the operator panel over a secure network to field controllers and regulators, which set the lights, and the status comes back the same way so the operator can see what the lights are really doing.
It is built on the ALCMS, not instead of it. It adds finer detail, preset lighting scenes, remote operation and automatic records. Certified control, local manual fallback and fail-safe behaviour stay in place, so the required lighting can still be operated if a network, a server or a panel is lost.
Commands, status and records as digital messages on a network. A direction in how the control system is built.
The airfield lighting control and monitoring system as a whole. Digital control is one way of arranging it.
- Select. The operator picks a circuit or runs a preset lighting scene from the panel.
- Check. The system confirms the operator is allowed to give the command and that the request is valid.
- Send. The command travels as a digital message over the secure network.
- Act. The field controller or CCR switches the circuit or sets the intensity step.
- Confirm. Status returns to the operator and shows that the lights did what was commanded, or where they did not.
- Record. The command and the result are logged, and local manual control remains available as the fallback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What is digital AGL control?
Control of airfield ground lighting in which commands, status and records travel as digital messages over a network, from an operator panel to field controllers and regulators and back. It is built on the airfield lighting control and monitoring system (ALCMS) rather than replacing it.
Q2How is it different from conventional control?
Conventional control is often hardwired, with switching and status carried circuit by circuit. Digital control carries the same commands and status as messages on a network, which allows finer detail, preset lighting scenes, remote operation and automatic records.
Q3Why does status come back to the operator?
So that the operator sees what the lights are actually doing, not only what was commanded. The returned status confirms that a circuit has switched and that its intensity step was reached, and it shows where something did not respond.
Q4Does digital control replace local or manual control?
No. Certified control, local manual fallback and fail-safe behaviour stay in place, so the required lighting can still be operated if a network, server or panel is lost. Digital control adds speed, scenes and records on top.
Q5Is this a forecast of what will be used?
No. It is a general outline of how digital control is arranged. The actual design, protocols, security measures and fallbacks depend on the manufacturer, the airport and the standards in force.
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