ALCMS stands for computerized airfield lighting control monitoring systems that are used in airfields. ALCMS is a computerized control system of airfield lighting equipment using fiber optic, hardwired (copper cables), or wireless communication links. ALCMS is the modern remote control system which uses touch screen, computer, is very compact, convenient, and has automation available in control and monitoring of airfield lights.
Salient Features
Increased safety by added redundancy by keeping a conventional RCD in parallel with the ALCMS system.
Low maintenance cost i.e. no additional copper cables need to be laid each time while adding a new CCR to the system
A Single Fiber Optic Cable Link can control 200 – 300 CCR’s. Where as if copper cables are used, new cables need to be installed during expansion.
For long distances, fiber optic cable is cheaper and can accommodate more CCR’s.
In case of cable fault in copper cable, as the core breaks the CCR gets switched OFF and R/W lights switches OFF irrespective of the power supply to the CCR. This can be avoided with fiber optic cable.
Under circumstances of accidental faults in fiber optic cables or any link failures the operation of CCR will not be interrupted, the ALCMS system would provide the last state latching and the CCR would continue working at its respective brilliancy, thus runway lights will be available.
TS type RCD is smaller in size, so can be mounted on ATC desk and is very convenient to operate.