Bench Talk

Airport Technology: Part Three

New Tech Tuesdays

Join Mouser's Technical Content team for a weekly look at all things interesting, new, and noteworthy for design engineers.

In the past few years, US airlines have faced significant logistical challenges leading to flight delays and cancellations. Some of the main causes of these disruptions were maintenance, aircraft cleaning, baggage loading, and long screening lines.^[1],[2]

In this series, we’ve seen two examples of airports using technologies to improve passenger experience, with AI-driven passenger flow management and IoT-enabled baggage tracking.

The next step in this transportation revolution is digital twinning, which creates virtual replicas of physical systems to simulate and optimize airport operations in real time. Advanced models created with this technology allow airports to tackle challenges like congestion, equipment maintenance, and energy efficiency at levels we’ve never seen before.

How Digital Twins Work in Airports

A digital twin is created using real-time data from IoT sensors, cameras, and other inputs, along with AI-driven simulation software to create a live, virtual representation of the operation within the facility. This virtual replica allows for better decision-making (Figure 1). For example, a digital twin can simulate passenger movement to identify congestion points and adjust staffing or resources accordingly, as we saw in Part One of the series. They can also monitor critical systems like baggage handling and HVAC units to predict and prevent equipment failures before they occur. Another benefit digital twins provide is access to weather data, flight schedules, and group traffic patterns, which are integrated into these predictive models to streamline airfield operations and minimize delays.

Figure 1: When authorities can visualize data in real time using sensors and cameras, they can make proactive decisions that make operations more efficient. (Source: swissa/stock.adobe.com; generated with AI)

Efficiency and a Better Experience

Everything we've discussed in this series has been about improving these two things. Beyond operational efficiency, digital twins enhance the passenger journey. When airports have real-time insights, they can run security checks faster, reduce wait times, and make dynamic adjustments to unexpected situations. They can also optimize energy usage for lighting and HVAC systems to reduce operational costs and lower their carbon footprint.

In airports like Singapore Changi, digital twins simulate passenger flow and reduce congestion during peak hours.^[3] At Heathrow Airport, digital twin technology manages its airfield, especially in poor weather conditions.^[4] Additionally, Schiphol Airport uses digital twins for predictive maintenance to monitor systems and minimize disruptions.^[5]

The Newest Products for Your Newest Designs^®

This week’s New Tech Tuesdays includes AI imaging products from ams OSRAM and Seeed Studio.

ams OSRAM Mira016 CMOS image sensors are 0.16MP global shutter image sensors enhanced by near-infrared (NIR) with a pixel size of just 2.79µm. These sensors feature a MIPI CSI-2 interface, enabling easy interfacing with numerous processors and FPGAs. Their small size (1.8mm × 1.8mm), configurability, and high sensitivity in visual and NIR wavelengths make them ideal for 2D and 3D applications.

The Seeed Studio SenseCAP A1101 LoRaWAN vision AI sensor provides high data security via edge computing and allows users to collect images and generate datasets on an annotated platform. Combining TinyML AI technology with LoRaWAN long-range transmission, the SenseCAP A1101 brings AI device solutions to indoor and outdoor applications, offering a wide operating temperature range (-40°C to 85°C) and an IP66 waterproof grade.

Tuesday’s Takeaway

This three-part series has shown how AI and IoT technology can transform airport operations, from passenger flow to improved luggage tracking. Digital twins take these changes to the next level, with real-time simulations and predictive analytics that alter airports’ standard operations. By helping airports make smarter choices and deliver better services for passengers and airlines, digital twins can make a real difference. As airports roll out these future-ready technologies, passengers can expect more convenient, smoother, and greener flights.

Sources

[1] https://www.bts.gov/topics/airlines-and-airports/understanding-reporting-causes-flight-delays-and-cancellations
[2] https://www.bts.gov/browse-statistical-products-and-data/info-gallery/percent-flight-delay-delay-cause-2010-2022
[3] https://www.realcomm.com/news/965/1/singapore-changi-airport-destination-smart-city
[4] https://aerospacetechreview.com/nats-digital-twin-tech-to-reduce-30000-tonnes-of-co2-emissions-at-heathrow/
[5] https://www.esri.com/about/newsroom/arcuser/digital-twin-helps-airport-optimize-operations/