Interview spotlight: DHF Airport Systems AB’s approach to airfield lighting

A fault in a complex airport system usually leads to large number of consequential faults. In a modern control room, most variables are measured and monitored by alarms. Therefore, a non-trivial fault usually leads to a large amount of trigged alarms, a so-called alarm cascade. Alarm cascades cause information overload and render the alarm system useless during incidents.

The problem with alarm cascades, information overload and fault detection in airfield lighting, and several other airport systems, is something that is not yet fully solved within the airport industry.

DHF’s AFDS (Airport Fault Detection System) can perform root-cause analysis online in real-time, as a fault situation develops. In this way, large alarm cascades can be reduced to a single initiating event. This is a revival for the alarm list, which becomes useful throughout complex fault situations. The problem DHF solves for the airport is to find the needle in the haystack – which is the important alarm among hundreds of alarms that constitutes the root fault. DHF’s software can upgrade existing airfield lighting systems for enhanced performance.

Why is DHF’s software disruptive compared to existing alarm management solutions?

Compared to other alternatives, DHF’s technology is disruptive in the way that it – based on unique algorithms – can offer a new set of additional values in a better and more affordable solution for airports. DHF’s software is the only software on the market able to identify 100 per cent of any possible root fault and filtrate them from any consequential fault. The AFDS software can more substantially reduce the number of alarms at international airports, and this will improve the airfield lighting system and, in certain critical fault situations, increase the airfield availability. Compared to other suppliers on the market, DHF’s AFDS is virtually ‘plug and play’.

Can AFDS enhance operational efficiency in other airport systems than airfield lighting?

Yes, the AFDS can be connected to the majority of critical airport systems. AFDS enables leading suppliers of airport systems to reinvent their own alarm management offerings, especially within airfield lighting, baggage handling, security systems, aircraft ground support equipment and airport terminal building management systems. With this enhanced functionality, we estimate that, big and hub size airports can increase capacity, efficiency, and potentially save millions of euros each year.