This Webinar is dedicated to Control and Monitoring of S4GA Solar Airfield Lighting. During the Webinar we explain fundamental principles and differences between airfield lighting control in traditional wired systems (powered by 6.6A grid) and in S4GA wireless airfield lighting powered by solar energy. We also describe types of wireless networks and the benefits of using the S4GA Mesh type radio network.
A detailed overview of S4GA ALCMS is given later in this webinar. ALCMS is an Airfield Lighting Control and Monitoring System designed to provide full remote control and monitoring of solar LED runway lighting from the TWR or maintenance room. S4GA ALCMS provides individual light status display that allows airport engineers to monitor the health of every lighting unit in the system. ALCMS also notifies engineers about upcoming maintenance (e.g. replacing batteries or cleaning solar panels) and reports about light failures.
The Control and Monitoring of S4GA Airfield Lighting Webinar was hosted by Mr Łukasz Kornacki – S4GA Business Development Manager and expert in the Airfield Lighting Industry.
| QUESTIONS | ANSWERS |
| Q1: What is the non distortion guarantee for military base in signals? | A1: The safety of the radio operation like ILS, VOR, VHF and others is guaranteed. The S4GA system is immune as it operates on a different frequency than any other system used at the airport. Moreover, this frequency (686) can be provided also with 2,4 GHz, therefore the user has an option to select the frequency that is the most desired.
S4GA frequency is encrypted with 1 to 8 bit communication and authentication protocol so it meets the military requirements and it’s quite often used by the army. |
| Q2: Is the wireless solution including Mesh available in inset fixtures or only elevated fixtures? | A2: S4GA is providing an inset lights that are powered by the solar engine and can be controlled wirelessly. |
| Q3: What is the impact of the weather changes on the lighting system performance? | A3: Changing weather conditions influence the efficiency of the system charging process. However S4GA systems is designed to operate 365 days solely on solar energy and is able to do that due to certain technical advancement.
Watch video on how S4GA Airfield Lighting operates 365 days on solar energy. |
| Q4: What about the interference with the ILS? | A4: In S4GA we use 868 Mhz frequency to control the lights. Power output of radio controllers is below 16mW. This frequency does not interfere with ILS, RADAR, VOR, DME.
Why? First of all this is different frequency. Second, the power output of out system is using low-power radio. |
| Q5: The Airport Authorities are still not confident about solar system, how can we change their perception? | A5: The most effective way, would be to contact us, se we can talk and present the solution directly to the Airport Authorities. You can also invite them to participate in S4GA webinars. |
| Q6: What is the transmission power? | A6: The transmission power of the signal used by S4GA is 16 mW. |
| Q7: What is the range of the remote control signal? Do the lights act as a repeater/relay to the other lights? | A7: S4GA Mesh Network has no range limitation as each light is repeater. Due to this fact, the signal propagation is unlimited and signal will reach from ATC to the farest light in less than 1 second. |
| Q8: What will be the maximum distance allowed from the control station to the nearest light? | A8: The maximum distance is 2000 meters. |
| Q9: Did you install the system on some major airports? | A9: Yes, among many projects we can mention Thessaloniki Airport in Greece, Ethiopia Jijiga Airport, Military Airbases in Africa (with runways 3 – 4.5 km runways and multiple taxiways). On our webpage you can find a lot of useful information and case studies about S4GA existing application from all around the World. |
| Q10: Does the antenna of UR-201 needs to be installed outside? | A10: Yes, this antenna is installed on the tower or any building used as Visual Control Room on the airfield. |
| Q11: How many lights can be controlled and monitored by one UR-201? | A11: It can control 10.000 lights. |
| Q12: What is the operating voltage and power? | A12: S4GA System operates using 12 V DC power source, therefore is safer than conventional system. Even the high intensity lights operate on 12V. |
| Q13: How will I see the failure notification in ALCMS systems? | A13: ALCMS provides a wide range of notification regarding failures, including no connection, low battery, no charging, etc. It has a separate monitoring window on which you can identify the light, the type of the default and you can immediately see which light is faulty and send the maintenance team to fix it. |
| Q14: Is it interfering with other systems? | A14: No, there is no interference to the other systems. |
| Q15: Is the solution only applicable for Southern Hemisphere regions? | A15: No, it’s not only for Southern Hemisphere regions. Actually the most northern application done by S4GA done by now is in Yukon in North Canada. It’s not the question about the airport location, but about the balance of the energy and how extensively you want to use it.
When you want to use it 24/7 then yes, equatorial zones would be better, but when we talk about a regional airport operating relatively small traffic, it is not an issue to have the system operating continuously for 365 days. Please watch this video in which we explain how S4GA Airfield Lighting operates 365 days on solar energy. |
| Q16: What battery type is used in S4GA lighting solution? | A16: In S4GA we have a choice between standard battery (Lead-acid AGM battery) and non-standard battery (Lithium ion) which is more expensive but lasts longer. |
| Q17: How does the battery charge during winter time? | A17: Even during winter time in most parts of the world SP-401 light generates more energy than it consumes due to S4GA Rapid Charging technology. |
| Q18: Can the lights be switched on by the aircraft? | A18: Yes, the system can be switched on using just the onboard radio from the plane or helicopter. |
| Q19: Is it possible to use interface with existing solar AGL system from other manufactures? | A19: Yes, you can use it with the existing solar AGL system. |
| Q20: Who are the competitors of S4GA worldwide and what is our standing in the competition? | A20: S4GA is the leading and the only provider of permanent Solar AGL equipped with ALCMS system. S4GA system is fully compliant with ICAO Annex 14 and Aerodrome Design Manual. Moreover, S4GA system can operate 365 days on solar energy in most parts of the World. |
| Q21: How does continuous temperatures exceeding 45 °C affect battery life and its performance? | A21: As you can imagine 45 °C is not the desired temperature for the batteries inside the lights. High temperatures can degrade a standard type battery. However, thanks to the S4GA ALCMS the User has the information about the battery’s health and performance and knows when to replace it.
For that particular harsh conditions, S4GA can offer a specially designed batteries to withstand the temperature in range from -40°C to +80°C. |
| Q22: Does the humidity affect the batteries? | A22: No, humidity does not affect batteries inside the lights, as the lights are IP67, so there is no humidity inside the light and batteries operate in a dry environment. |
| Q23: Is it possible to use your control system to control ‘conventional’ units of conventional systems? Are the control units available separately to be installed for example in the pit as dedicated control unit for the lights? | A23: Yes, you can use S4GA control system with a conventional system. |
| Q24: For small airports, can the UR-201 control unit be powered fully via solar pannel? | A24: Yes, it can. For small airports we recommend to use UR-101 Handheld Controller. |
| Q25: In a CAT II or CAT III civil airport, which kind of S4GA product would you suggest, for the monitoring of stop bar and lead-on? | A25: For now the Category II and III are not the main focus for our company, therefore S4GA can offer them the ALCMS but not the airside equipment. |
| Q26: Is it possible to install only the control system to control conventional (not S4GA) AGL system lights? Like a conventional 6.6 ALCMS, but instead of using power line communication using the advantage of the radio Mesh? | A26: Yes, however it would require certain adjustment. This is a kind of project that would demand a in-depth analysis, but technically it would be viable. |
| Q27: Do you have inset lights? | A27: Yes, S4GA provides solution of the inset light powered by autonomous solar engine. |
| Q28: What is the charging process? Does the light charge while it is operating? | A28: Yes, it charges both while operating and while resting. S4GA has a unique rapid charging technology, that allows an extremely fast charging. Compared to any available solution on the market, S4GA lights charge about 3 times faster. Thanks to the combination of the solar panel, inverter and a software that is built into the lights, the User has fully charged light on a side day by average on 12 hours that would allow another 200 or 300 hours of operation. |
| Q29: Is it applicable for any airport whether it is small or big? | A29: Yes. S4GA solution can be used at any airports up to Category I precision approach. |
