FODetect® Key System Advantages
FODetect distributed configuration and technological concept offer a number of performance and operational benefits over the existing alternative solutions:
Reduced atmospheric interference - As the SDU is mounted immediately next to the runway, it is located at the closest possible distance to the scene. FODetect's close position to the runways provides the least possible reduced atmospheric interference in poor weather conditions. Radar interferences due to weather increase with the square of the range (R2) – e.g. a sensor that is 20 times further away has a signal that is 400 times weaker relative to the noise and clutter.
Between movements detection - Each SDU completes the inspection of the area it covers in about 40 seconds, which is less than the minimum time between runway movements, even for today's busiest airports. It is the only system worldwide offering this capability. Systems that take several minutes to cover a runway cannot guarantee FOD detection before the next runway movement. (Note: The Concorde crash was caused by a FOD which was dropped only 4 minutes earlier)
Dual-sensor – Each of Xsight's camera and radar sensors performs an independent automatic inspection of the airport surfaces offering detection capabilities resulting from the technological advantages of each of the sensors. The dual sensor solution provides a much better coverage of operating conditions, and the fusion of both sensors presents both a better detection and a reduced false alarm rate.
Zero runway false alarms - FODetect provides a close range high-resolution image of the FOD, allowing the controller to view and interrogate the detected FOD in order to determine the action taken. FODetect provides dimensions of the FOD and location relative to the centerline allowing the controller all the information required in order to decide on action taken
Visual verification in all RVR conditions – Due to the close range of operation to the travel surfaces, FODetect allows visual verification capability for practically all conditions that the runway is operational (For CAT-I to CAT III-B runways. For CAT III-C - RVR=0)
Full runway coverage – FODetect sees 100% of the airport travel surface, and can detect FOD on every single point. Due to its use of dual sensor technology and close range operation no radar blind spots are created near metallic objects such as around inset lights. The unique location of FODetect prevents any blind spots that may occlude distant radar or camera systems such as the runway crown, piles of snow along the runway sides, infrastructure occlusions, etc.
Redundancy – FODetect's distributed design provides full automatic built-in redundancy. In case of an inoperable sensor the neighboring sensors take over coverage of its section of the runway, and a maintenance flag is automatically raised.
FOD removal efficiency – FODetect provides several unique tools for minimizing the FOD removal: (i) GPS location, (ii) Edge light number, (iii) Laser pointer (for pinpointing FODs at night) (iv) Blinking of edge light (optional), (v) Visual feedback by operator using SDU camera.
Infrastructure investment – SDU units are mounted on the edge lights' mechanical base and can use existing lines or ducts for power and communications, avoiding the need for construction of elevated structures or towers
Safety – SDU units comply with runway edge light requirements such as height frangibility etc and have no negative impact on airside safety, as opposed to remote technologies that require towers reaching 6 to 12 meters within the runway strip or close to it.
Scalable solution – Because FODetect™ is a scalable system, a complete airport/runway or only part of it, can be covered. Customers can decide to deploy the system in the most hazardous positions first. For example:
a. Runway/taxiway
b. Aircraft/vehicle intersection
c. FOD “hot spots” (like construction work area, etc.)
