System for radio-based control of light and warning signal systems at airfields
A radio-controlled traffic light system using a software-defined radio receiver and microcomputer addresses safety risks at uncontrolled airfields by automatically activating traffic warnings based on aircraft signals, enhancing safety and reducing manual intervention.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE202025003704
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-30
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-11-30
AI Technical Summary
Uncontrolled airfields with intersecting traffic routes face safety risks due to difficulty in detecting aircraft and limited maneuverability, necessitating manual staffing for traffic control, which is inefficient and risky.
A radio-controlled light signaling system using a software-defined radio receiver and microcomputer to detect aircraft radio signals, activating traffic lights based on signal strength changes, with manual override options and automatic failure safety features.
Enhances operational safety by enabling automatic, radio-controlled traffic warnings without additional aircraft equipment, reducing manual intervention and infrastructure needs.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a system for controlling a light signal system on a road in or at an airfield, in particular at uncontrolled airfields or glider airfields, using aeronautical radio communication.
[0002] At some airfields, particularly uncontrolled ones and glider sites, public roads or paths cross the runway or run in its immediate vicinity. Crossing these roads during flight operations poses a significant safety risk, as a collision between aircraft and road users on the ground cannot be ruled out.
[0003] Detecting aircraft is difficult for untrained individuals due to lighting and visibility conditions. Aircraft have limited maneuverability during takeoff and landing and can hardly avoid sudden ground traffic.
[0004] Typically, such crosswalks are secured by manually operated barriers or traffic lights. However, this requires permanent staffing.
[0005] All airfields have a frequency assigned by the Federal Network Agency for the purpose of conducting aeronautical radio communications in the frequency range between 118.00 MHz and 137.00 MHz (VHF AM) with a channel spacing of 8.33 kHz.
[0006] Aircraft operating on, arriving at, or departing from these airfields are required, depending on the type of airspace and the airfield, to establish radio contact with the operations manager or air traffic control. In the case of airfields without air traffic control, it is usually sufficient to announce the intention to other aircraft by means of blind calls.
[0007] Also known is the so-called Pilot Controlled Lighting (PCL), in which the lighting of a runway can be activated via air traffic control radio. In this system, an aircraft transmits coded radio signals by repeatedly and briefly pressing the push-to-talk (PTT) button. These signals are detected by a receiver at the airfield and activate the lighting.
[0008] The object of the present invention is to increase operational safety at airfields with intersecting traffic routes and to enable automatic, radio-controlled control of a light signaling system that does not require additional equipment in the aircraft or manual operation.
[0009] This problem is solved by a system having the features of claim 1.
[0010] The system uses a software-defined radio (SDR) as a receiver for radio signals on a preset aviation radio frequency. The SDR transmits the received radio data via a serial interface to a microcomputer, which decomposes the signal into its frequency components, continuously monitors the received signal strength, and detects changes in the received signal strength (edge changes).
[0011] An evaluation unit implemented in the microcomputer counts the edge changes within a predefined time window and compares them with a defined threshold. If the threshold is exceeded, a switching command is generated that controls a relay, which in turn activates a traffic light system.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the system consists of three functional components: • Receiver and control unit with antenna (1), SDR (2), microcomputer (3) and relay outputs (4) • Operator control panel (6) and web interface (7) for control and parameterization • Traffic signal system (5) Designed as a traffic light, flashing light or optionally an acoustic signal or mechanical barrier
[0013] In the standard configuration, a single press of the push-to-talk (PTT) button on the aircraft activates the yellow warning lights. This alerts people on the ground that flight operations are taking place and urges them to exercise caution when crossing the crosswalk.
[0014] If the PTT button is pressed multiple times within a defined time window, the signaling system switches to red. This indicates that a takeoff or landing is imminent. After the red phase expires, the system automatically switches back to the yellow phase and then deactivates completely, provided no further radio signals are received.
[0015] Additionally, the flight operations manager can manually control the light signaling system via the control panel or via the web interface.
[0016] In the event of a total failure of the receiving and control unit, relays that are closed in standby mode automatically switch off all signals to indicate the failure.
[0017] The system is extremely flexible due to the use of an SDR as a universal receiver and software-based signal processing in the microcomputer.
[0018] By adjusting the software parameters via the web interface, frequencies, time windows, thresholds and signal sequences can be easily adapted to different flying sites and operating conditions.
[0019] The invention thus significantly increases operational safety at airfields with cross-runways, as it enables immediate, radio-controlled warning of ground traffic - without additional infrastructure or constant manual intervention.
Claims
[1] System for controlling a traffic signal system on a road in or at an airfield using aeronautical radio communication, characterized by : • A receiving unit for receiving radio signals on a preset aviation radio frequency, • A control unit consisting of a microcomputer designed to decompose the received signal into its frequency components, continuously monitor the received power, and detect changes in the received power (edge changes). • An evaluation unit in the microcomputer that records the number of edge changes within a defined time window and compares it with a threshold value, • Whereas when the threshold is exceeded, at least one switching command is issued to control a relay that switches a traffic light system. [2] System according to claim 1, characterized by, that upon receiving an aeronautical radio signal, the light signaling system activates a yellow warning light for a certain period of time to indicate ongoing flight operations [3] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that multiple activations of the push-to-talk (PTT) button within a time window cause a switch to red to indicate an imminent takeoff or landing movement. [4] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that in addition to automatic control via air traffic control, manual control via a control panel or a web-based interface is provided. [5] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the traffic light system can be further extended by an acoustic signal generator or a mechanical barrier. [6] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the microcomputer's software can be parameterized via the web-based interface to adapt frequency, time windows, thresholds and signal sequences to different flying sites and requirements. [7] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the receiving unit includes a software-defined radio