What is future AGL architecture?
A layered, secure and open way to organise airfield lighting, its networks and its data — so any layer can be upgraded, and the lights keep working even if the digital layers do not.
Future AGL architecture is the overall structure of how the lighting, its communication links, its control system and its data are organised. The common idea is a layered, modular design: a field layer of fixtures, circuits, CCRs and sensors, a network layer, a control and data layer such as the ALCMS, and an applications layer for analytics and planning.
Open interfaces let one layer be upgraded without redesigning the rest, and security is designed across every layer and link instead of added at one point. Most important, the design is fail-safe: the lights must keep working to the required standard if the network or software fails, for example through local control at the CCR. The digital layers add visibility and control; they do not carry the safety of the lighting. This is a design approach that is still developing, and any real system must meet ICAO Annex 14 and the aerodrome’s approved procedures.
- Field. Fixtures, circuits, CCRs and sensors do the lighting job and keep working on their own.
- Network. Gateways and links carry readings and commands, with access control and protection.
- Control and data. The ALCMS and data store show status, record history and send commands.
- Applications. Analytics, planning and similar tools use the data to support decisions.
- Interfaces and security. Open, documented links join the layers, and security covers all of them.
Each layer can be upgraded on its own, and the lights keep working if the network or software is lost.
Layers depend on one another, so a change is hard and a software or network failure can take the lighting with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What is future AGL architecture?
It is the overall structure for how airfield lighting, its communication links, its control system and its data are organised so they can grow and be upgraded. The usual idea is a layered, modular design with open interfaces and security built in.
Q2What are the layers?
A common way to describe them is the field layer of fixtures, circuits, CCRs and sensors; a network layer of gateways and links; a control and data layer such as the ALCMS; and an applications layer for analytics, planning and similar tools. Real systems differ in how they draw these lines.
Q3Why use open interfaces?
Standard, documented interfaces let one layer be upgraded or one supplier’s part be replaced without redesigning everything around it. They also make it easier to connect new tools later. The interfaces must still be specified, tested and approved for the aerodrome.
Q4What does fail-safe mean for AGL?
The lights must keep working to the required standard if the network, software or data system fails. Digital layers add visibility and control, but the safety-critical lighting function must not depend on them, for example through local control at the CCR.
Q5Why is security part of the architecture?
Every link and layer that carries data or commands is a possible way in. Security has to be designed across the whole system, with access control, protected links and a plan for updates and failures, rather than added to one layer afterwards.
Q6Is this a standard or a concept?
It is a design approach rather than one fixed standard, and practice is still developing. Requirements for lighting, control and testing come from ICAO Annex 14, the national regulator and the aerodrome’s approved procedures, which any architecture must meet.
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