What is a digital twin in AGL?
A live virtual copy of the airfield lighting system — a model joined with real data, used to see, test and plan before touching the real thing.
A digital twin is a live virtual copy of the airfield lighting system. It joins a model of the layout and assets, such as fixtures, circuits, cables, transformers and CCRs, with real data from the site: CCR current and intensity step, alarms, lamp or fixture status where it is monitored, and the records of tests, inspections and repairs.
Because the twin mirrors the real system, engineers can simulate a fault, an outage or a change on the copy first, and watch trends for early warning. The twin advises; it does not control. Switching and intensity control stay with the ALCMS and CCRs, and the engineer decides. A twin is only as good as its data, so it must be kept in step with the airfield after every change.
- Model. Build the layout, circuits and asset register as a digital model.
- Connect. Feed in live data from CCRs, the ALCMS, monitoring and records.
- Mirror. Keep the twin matched to the real airfield after every change.
- Analyse. Trend health, spot drift and rank the risks.
- Simulate. Test faults, outages and changes on the copy, not the live circuit.
- Act. Engineers decide and act through normal procedures; results feed back into the model.
A model that mirrors the system and reads its data, used to analyse, predict and test what-if cases.
The live control and monitoring system that switches circuits and sets intensity. The twin reads its data; it does not replace it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What is a digital twin in airfield ground lighting?
A live virtual copy of the airfield lighting system. It joins a model of the layout and assets, such as fixtures, circuits, cables, transformers and CCRs, with real data from the site, so engineers can see, analyse and test the system without touching the real one.
Q2What data does an AGL digital twin use?
The asset register and layout drawings, live data from CCRs and the ALCMS such as circuit current, intensity step and alarms, any lamp or fixture monitoring that is fitted, and the records of tests, inspections, faults and repairs.
Q3How is a digital twin different from the ALCMS?
The ALCMS controls and monitors the system: it switches circuits and sets intensity steps. A twin is a model that reads data from it to analyse, predict and test what-if cases. The twin advises, and control stays with the ALCMS, the CCRs and the duty engineer.
Q4What can a digital twin be used for?
Trying a fault, outage or layout change on the model before doing it on site, spotting slow drift in circuit readings, planning maintenance and shutdowns, supporting asset decisions, and training staff on a safe copy.
Q5Does a digital twin replace inspection and maintenance?
No. It helps focus effort, but the inspection, testing and maintenance required by ICAO Annex 14, the national regulator and the aerodrome’s approved procedures still apply. Photometric and physical checks cannot be replaced by a model.
Q6What limits how accurate a digital twin is?
The quality and coverage of its data. Many airfields measure only at circuit level, so a twin may show circuit health but not each fixture unless individual monitoring is fitted. The model must also be updated after every change to the real airfield, or it drifts out of step.
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