Overview
Wikipedia states the following about Instrument Landing Systems: “In aviation, the instrument landing system (ILS) is a radio navigation system that provides short-range guidance to aircraft to allow them to approach a runway at night or in bad weather. In its original form, it allows an aircraft to approach until it is 200 feet (61 m) over the ground, within a 1⁄2 mile (800 m) of the runway. At that point the runway should be visible to the pilot; if it is not, they perform a missed approach. Bringing the aircraft this close to the runway dramatically improves the weather conditions in which a safe landing can be made. Later versions of the system, or “categories”, have further reduced the minimum altitudes.
ILS uses two directional radio signals, the localizer (108 to 112 MHz frequency), which provides horizontal guidance, and the glideslope (329.15 to 335 MHz frequency) for vertical. The relationship between the aircraft’s position and these signals is displayed on an aircraft instrument, often additional pointers in the attitude indicator. The pilot attempts to maneuver the aircraft to keep these indicators centered while they approach the runway to the decision height. Optional markers provide distance information as the approach proceeds, including the middle marker placed close to the position of the decision height. ILS may also include high-intensity lighting at the end of the runways.”
Our design aims to measure the signal strength of the target frequencies and transmit the data from the edge device to a cloud dashboard IoT monitoring system. We will use readily available commodity hardware along with open-source software to build a low-cost sensor. The intent is to perform an extended proof of concept and system test at a nearby regional airport prior to scaling the system across 15 airports for the initial production deployment. The goal is to expand this service after demonstrating robust monitoring and alerting of the fully developed system.
JungleSTEM has partnered with the client, Aeronav Services LLC, to research, develop, prototype, test, and eventually manage the entire system as a turnkey service. Spare preconfigured edge sensors will be available to swap equipment in the event of hardware failure of the device. The client expects to expand its airport management services and demonstrate value added capabilities using the designed system. A future joint partnership is hoped for that will take the aggregate ILS status information to provide data feeds into other services, potentially integration with mobile pilot electronic flight bag apps and/or Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) bulletins. Use of this data both in the real-time monitoring system and in other applications will improve pilot safety and awareness while also enhancing pre-flight primary and alternate airport planning.
This project opportunity is the catalyst which led to JungleSTEM moving from a business concept to standing up the LLC and website, putting thoughts into action. As a result, this project will be uniquely special and distinct from other future opportunities.
