An integrated radio-locating packet data network with potential for application to surface traffic management at commercial airports

This paper will cover a brief introduction to the ARRAY radio locating and packet data network and the possible application of such a network to the problems of airport surface vehicle and traffic management. ARRAY is a network providing integrated radio location and high-speed, two-way packet data network messaging in a single radio-link equipment operating under centralized control. It is ideally suited to the management of many classes of mobile resources, including most of the movable equipment found on a modern commercial airport, possibly including the aircraft. While the Network was originally conceived for wide-area road vehicle location, monitoring and management, its fast response and flexible data-network characteristics make it an important alternative to existing systems for airport safety systems and airport and airline asset management and control