ADLS –
Safe.
Cost-efficient.
Sustainable.

The Aircraft Detection Lighting System (ADLS) from the developers of transponder-based ADLS

STHDS 4.0 is the name of our Aircraft Detection Lighting System (ADLS). We utilise the signals sent out by the transponders of aircrafts to reliably detect air traffic near obstructions to aviation such as WTGs.

In order to protect residents from light pollution at night, our technology controls the red beacons based on demand. Thus, they only light up when air traffic is actually in close proximity. We have spent many years optimising our ADLS to minimal light activation time. Despite the overfulfilment of all safety requirements, we can realise a 100% switch-off time statewide in most cases. In areas with air traffic at night, we still have very high switch-off times and even near airports it is 98% on average.

Lanthan Safe Sky - BNK - Bedarfsgesteuerte Nachtkennzeichnung

An ATS-3 traffic receiver

is installed on a turbine

on a wind farm.

The ATS-3 traffic receiver

signals traffic data to the

Lanthan Safe Sky Server.

BNK

The Lanthan Safe Sky Server

controls the obstruction lighting

via an ATS-4 interface moduler.

An ATS-3 traffic receiver

can cover a radius of

10 km.

Other parks in the area can also be covered.

Here too, an ATS-4 interface module controls the marking.

WTGs without a central interface can also be integrated.

For this purpose, a low-cost interface module is installed in every turbine.

We reliably monitor the relevant airspace, from the ground to upper airspace. The comprehensive and field-proven detection technology is not only based on all legally required signals, but additionally analyses further aviation signals. To this end, all systems are connected. The signals of all receivers worldwide are put together to a wide-ranging air situation picture to enable a mutual monitoring. In this way, particularly low operational costs on-site without maintenance effort can be realised.

STHDS 4.0 consists of 2 key components, the ATS-3 traffic receiver and the ATS-4 interface module. STHDS 4.0 can be installed easily, is free from emissions and does not require frequency assignments. As a cost-efficient solution with relatively low capital costs and extremely low operational costs, STHDS 4.0 is the ideal choice for operators of WTGs of various sizes: from individual turbines to cross-national clusters.

Uncompromised Safe Detection

Active team members of Lanthan Safe Sky invented the transponder-based ADLS. We have decades of experience with transponder technology and more than 12 years operational experience with transponder-based ADLS. We use thousands of transponder receiving systems on a daily basis in aircrafts and ground stations worldwide. This is precisely what differentiates us from other ADLS manufacturers and also from all other aviation companies distributing ADL systems.

Ready for Production and available

As the first provider of transponder-based ADLS technology, we create binding offers and accept orders for production. Through close cooperation with all relevant WTG manufacturers, we are able to offer a simple option for integration. We are experienced in the production of large volumes. Our ADLS is available for installation, and the series production is already underway.

No Castles in the Air

We don’t have package or bait offers. Through intensive engineering studies, we can offer a broad project-specific modification of our systems within the framework of the project. Only with such detailed planning is it possible to install ADLS projects in the short time remaining – on time, in-budget and cost-effective – from individual turbines to comprehensive clusters of various operators.

No Dependencies

No insecurities, direct decisions, no waiting periods: our solutions are not dependent on constraints such as the coverage of receivers on third-party property. Even for single turbines, we provide cost-effective and binding offers, and accept direct orders. We reserve supply positions for our customers in order to plan and conduct low-risk, cost- and time-effective conversions.

Safe and Seamless Service

We maintain a broad toolset for the technical operation of our ADL system, including a specifically developed web portal, which enables our customers to operate the ADLS easily and without a lot of training, and to comply with the stated reporting requirements of the authorities.

In parallel, our customer service provides advice and support at any time should questions or difficulties occur. The networking technology of our ADLS with remote maintenance and diagnosis helps to operate in a low-risk, cost-efficient and stress-free manner.

References

Wiemersdorf

First transponder-based ADLS technology worldwide. Has been running for more than 10 years.

Gross Niendorf BNK - Lanthan Safe Sky - Bedarfsgesteuerte Nachtkennzeichnung

Groß Niendorf

Installation at a windfarm of WKN with 2x GE 3.8MWE turbines.

Enercon / WPD

Field test with WPD Windmanger and Enercon. 7 WTGs have been equipped on a large scale at the airport Bremen in order to collect operational experience in the challenging vicinity of an airport.

Why is the transponder-based Aircraft Detection Lighting System STHDS 4.0 from Lanthan Safe Sky superior to other systems?

Safety, Efficiency & Costs

Safety: detects aircraft from ground level to upper airspace.
Cost-efficient: low operational costs, from individual turbines to entire windfarm-clusters.
Decades of solid experience: the quality of the ADLS technology also results from expertise. Switch-off times of up to nearly 100% and marginal erroneous activations can only be realised with long-term experience.

Simple and Sustainable

Very easy integration: diverse system interface – Plug And Play.
No additional buildings, frequency regulation or dependencies from DVB-T2.
Sustainable: since their introduction in the 1940s, transponders have remained compatible to this day.
Available: our system is authorised and readily available for immediate order.

Turbine Integration

The ATS-3 traffic receiver is installed in the nacelle of a turbine in a wind farm. Extensive installation options for all known WTG types are available.

The ATS-4 interface module can be installed in every turbine. If a central interface is available, it will be installed at the turbines transfer point or another building.

Technology

FAQs

Does every plant have to be equipped with traffic receivers?

No. Our air traffic system (ATS-3) covers a safe detection area of 10km. The active radius of individual WTGs is 4km – that is the space in which the obstruction lighting has to be activated. Active spaces have to be included by the detection radius. Thus, a WTG can not be located more than 6km away from the WTG with the receiving station. In many formations it is possible to cover many WTGs with one single receiver.

How much switch-off time does your ADLS achieve?

More than any other system we know of – while simultaneously overfulfilling all safety requirements. Turbines in close vicinity to the airport Bremen achieve 100% switch-off time of the beaconing most nights. Turbines in direct proximity to airports achieve 96-99%, in total over 99%. This takes all signals into account which are legally required, i.e. of course the DF11 signals as well as the more critical Mode-A/C signals.

What are the costs?

Usually, we don’t offer flat price indications because the costs greatly depend on project-specific factors.

The number of required air traffic systems (ATS-3) is a significant cost driver. In previous studies, for example, we have one case with a single stand-alone plant with receiver (ATS-3).

Additionally, the costs vary greatly depending on the complexity of the project, turbine type, existing networking infrastructure, personal contribution of the operator and formation of the turbines. Generally speaking, the costs are presumably much lower than it was expected for previous radar-based ADL systems.

We offer solutions with which wind farms that maintain one single WTG as well as areas with several hundred WTGs can be equipped cost-effectively. We are looking forward to your inquiry and can promptly name a target price. Within the framework of the project, we also identify potentials for savings and ensure a cost-efficient and high-quality solution.

Why do other providers of ADLS quote flat prices? Are they more sensibly priced?

The scope of supply and service varies significantly with different providers of ADL systems. Some competitors apparently offer cheap prices but then provide only a signal. Without the signal distribution to every single aviation beaconing at the WTGs or without taking the installation into account, it must be considered as bait marketing without benefit or reliability.

Is internet access required? What exactly are the requirements for the data connection?

A stable internet connection is a prerequisite for the operation of our system. This can be existing access on-site or it can be implemented by us using mobile communication.

The average data volume that an air traffic receiver (ATS-3) consumes is about 1 GB/day. Interface modules (ATS-4), which are optionally used in systems without traffic receivers to control the hazard beacons, require less volume, approx. 100 Mbytes/ day. The speed should be at least 0.5/ 0.3 Mbit/s (upload/download) with a ping of <100ms to a domestic server.

Does every nacelle of every WTG have to be equipped with an internet connection?

No. With our standard version of the offer, we assume that there is a physical interface to the internet in the nacelle, but we also optionally offer mobile connections. All of our systems are equipped with a secure mobile connection. If the internet connection does not exist in the nacelle or is simply not available, the systems automatically use the mobile connection. If a stable internet connection is available, there are no costs for the mobile connection.

Within the scope of the project, we check the availability of the on-site internet connection. We also check whether other on-site communication systems (park-internal buses) can be used.

Do your offers contain license fees?

Yes, our offers include all costs with which all rights of third parties are settled. Thus, our customers do not have to deal with the individual licensors.

What kind of data will be interchanged with the servers? Can the system also function fully independently?

Our server infrastructure performs traffic data analysis, system status monitoring, remote diagnosis and update functions. It delivers appropriate ADLS signals to networked turbines.

Operation without a server connection is not possible because these important functions are performed by the server. The main advantages are significantly lower maintenance and operating costs.

In special projects, e.g. large offshore wind farms, it is possible to maintain an image of our server infrastructure locally in customer data processing centers.

What kind of interfaces are required for the plant control/ beaconing control?

Our interface modules (ATS-4) are flexible and can usually be adapted to the technology available in the turbine at no additional cost. The most common interfaces are discrete 24V signals and Modbus/TCP. Other hardware interfaces can also be used. We are looking forward to discussing these requirements within the scope of your project.

Safe.

Cost-efficient.

Reliable.

ADLS –Safe.Cost-efficient.Sustainable.