What are emerging optical technologies?
New ways of making, shaping, controlling and measuring the light from airfield fixtures, all judged against the same photometric requirements the pilot depends on.
Emerging optical technologies are the developing ways of improving the light path of an AGL fixture or sign: the source that makes the light, the optic that shapes it, the control of its output, and the measurement that proves it. They aim for less energy, better uniformity, longer life and less maintenance.
The requirement does not change. Colour, intensity and beam pattern must still meet the photometric requirements of the applicable standard. A new technology is therefore judged by its measured photometry and its durability on the airfield, and is used only once it has been proven and approved.
Developing improvements to the source, the optic, the output control and the measurement. An outlook, not a fixed list.
How the optic in today’s fixture shapes the beam. The emerging technologies build on that same path.
- Start from today’s light path. Source, optic, output control and measurement, as in a conventional LED fixture.
- Find the limit. Energy use, uniformity, life, maintenance effort or measurement effort.
- Develop the improvement. A better source, a precision or light-guide optic, finer output control or automated measurement.
- Measure the photometry. Check colour, intensity and beam pattern against the requirements of the standard.
- Check durability. Confirm it withstands weather, heat, vibration and cleaning on the airfield, using the manufacturer’s data.
- Approve and adopt. The airport and the authority approve it, and the site’s procedures are updated before it is relied on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What are emerging optical technologies in AGL?
New and developing ways of producing, shaping, controlling and measuring the light from airfield fixtures and signs. They include more efficient LED sources, precision-moulded and light-guide optics, finer control of light output, and automated or camera-based measurement.
Q2Do they change what the pilot sees?
The colour, intensity and beam pattern the pilot sees must still meet the photometric requirements of the applicable standard. The aim is to meet those requirements with less energy, better uniformity or less maintenance, not to change the signal.
Q3Where do they fit in a fixture?
Along the light path. The source makes the light, the optic shapes it into the required beam, the output is controlled, and the result is measured. A new technology usually improves one of these four stages.
Q4How is a new optical technology accepted?
Its photometry is measured and compared with the requirements of the standard and the manufacturer’s data, the design is checked for durability in the airfield environment, and the airport and the authority approve it before it is relied on.
Q5Is this a forecast of what will be used?
No. It is a general outlook of directions that are being explored. Which technologies are used, and when, depends on the manufacturer, the airport, the regulator and the standards in force.
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