Editorial: Will aviation detection lighting systems come to telecom towers?

Aviation obstruction lighting plays a vital role in keeping people and places safe. For grass and steel towercos these lights can be the main power draw on any sight. On social media you will see videos circulating showing people climbing 300 ft towers just to change a light bulb. In reality a shift to modern lighting systems has pushed out replacement rates that are better measured in decades than years. But a new round of replacements may be required if the elimination of light pollution from towers is required.

As the demand for sustainable and community-friendly infrastructure grows, Aircraft Detection Lighting Systems (ADLS) are emerging as a new technology for telecom towers across Europe, America and elsewhere. Principally deployed at wind farms, ADLS technology is now being adapted for use in the communications sector, promising to minimise light pollution while maintaining aviation safety.

ADLS technology was initially implemented in wind energy projects to address the environmental and social impacts of aviation obstruction lights. These systems work in two main ways. One system relies on aircraft transponders to detect aircraft at a certain distance out from the sites, this then activates obstruction lights only when an aircraft is detected within a predefined zone, ensuring that lights remain off during periods of low air traffic.

Another system relies on radar to deter aircraft which may not be using transponders. In the United States, with a substantial hobbyist aviation sector this is especially useful, but as unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, become more common it may be necessary to roll out radar systems more widely. Similarly, in areas where there may be air travel for illicit purposes an aircraft detection system which does not rely on transponders is required.

This approach significantly reduces light pollution, a growing concern for communities near infrastructure sites. The solution comes with a cost, a transponder system installed on wind turbine you can start at capex of 20,000 euros and annual opex of 2,000, which means it is unlikely to be suitable for every tower installation - radar systems can be even more expensive, although they have come down in cost as devices have shrunk.

In the United States, 28 states mandate ADLS for wind farms, and over 140 systems are already operational across North America. A number of companies offer ADLS systems – Lanthan, Terma, Quantec, Lightguard, Deutsche Windtechnik, and DeTect Inc – which are looking into applications in the telecom tower space.

In fact, radar-based solutions like DeTect’s HARRIER are being reviewed by major cell tower owners in the United States today.

DeTect’s HARRIER X80 COMMS ADLS illustrates the capabilities of modern ADLS technology. Featuring high-resolution X-band radar with Doppler processing and ADS-B integration, the system ensures reliable detection of both cooperative (transponder-equipped) and non-cooperative aircraft. It can detect small aircraft, such as Cessnas with a one-square-meter cross-section, at ranges of up to 12-13 nautical miles. The system’s remote networking capabilities enable centralized monitoring and control, making it an attractive option for large-scale telecom deployments.

HARRIER’s design prioritises safety with a failsafe “dead man’s switch” that automatically activates lights if the system goes offline. Its user-customisable software allows operators to define detection parameters based on size, speed, and other characteristics, to match local regulator requirements.

The regulatory environment for ADLS varies significantly between regions. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved radar-based ADLS for use on communication towers, opening the door for widespread adoption. Europe, however, presents a more fragmented regulatory landscape. Germany mandates transponder ADLS for wind farms of a certain size, while the UK remains in the decision-making process. France has outright banned certain systems, reflecting the diversity of regulatory approaches.

The telecom sector’s interest in ADLS is growing as smaller, lighter radar systems become available. Early radar sensors designed for wind farms were prohibitively large, weighing up to 600 pounds. Today’s models, like DeTect’s X80 COMMS ADLS above, weigh just 80 pounds and are compact enough for telecom tower installations. These advancements make ADLS a viable option for reducing light pollution at the nearly 5.6mn cell towers across the world.

Germany’s Lanthan, the largest operator in Germany, exemplifies the growing sophistication of these systems. Its networked approach integrates transponder and radar data to ensure consistent performance, even in areas where transponder use is not mandated. Norway has adopted a hybrid model requiring both radar and transponder systems for wind farms, further showcasing the adaptability of ADLS technologies to meet diverse regulatory needs.

The expansion of ADLS into the telecom sector represents a significant development in infrastructure technology. As regulatory frameworks solidify and costs decline, the adoption of ADLS for telecom towers may accelerate to allow for the addition of cell towers to rural areas where light pollution is a concern in permitting decisions. With the potential to enhance aviation safety, reduce light pollution, and meet evolving regulatory requirements, we may see increasing usage of ADLS.