Fids3 Flight Information Display System (FIDS)

fids3 - the 3rd generation of fids

Network Connectivity

Fids3 has a clean and consequently browser front-end. The GUI and all monitor layouts are based on web technology. All back-end software (web server architecture) is written in modern Java code. This design guarantees a full affiliation into the today's world of Internet/Intranet, smartphones and tablet computers.

Find below several diagrams each illustrating a partial aspect of the network connectivity of the Fids3 software solution.

Monitor and external video controllers

Our preferred way of integration of flight information monitors into the Fids3 network is a video controller PC (which is technically an ordinary PC) and a monitor of any brand (e.g. Samsung) which is simply connected to the PC by a video cable (e.g. HDMI).

This solution gives the customer the freedom to change the monitor brand without exchanging the whole unit.

Monitor with integrated PC

If the customer prefers to use monitors with integrated PC, this also is possible. The Fids3 video controller software (F3 Controller) is part of the Fids3 software delivery and can be installed on any PC and operating system (e.g. Ubuntu Linux or Windows) you can run the popular Firefox browser on. All common monitor manufacturers (e.g. Samsung) offer monitors with integrated PCs.

Hot-Standby Configuration

The Fids3 solution is available as a single server and also a so-called 'hot-standby' configuration. In the 'hot-standby' configuration both servers (Primary and Secondary) are permanently mirrored over a dedicated network connection which makes communcation independent (e.g. from routers/switches) and very fast. If the Primary fails, the Secondary server takes over in a few seconds.

WiFi Hot-Spots

If WiFi hot-spots are installed in the airport's vicinity, they could be used to connect to the Fids3 system if there is an operational need for it. Operators can browse and manage flights information with their smartphones or other wireless equipment (e.g. iPad).

Authentication will be controlled by the security protection of the hot-spot itself and also by an appropriate Fids3 user's account which always is required to get access to the Fids3 application.

VPN access from Internet

To access the Fids3 servers which are located inside the airport's Intranet from the Internet the common technical way is by installation of a so-called VPN tunnel. Authenticated VPN clients can initiate a connection to a VPN server (e.g. a router with VPN capabilities) which is located inside the airport's Intranet.

This allows clients (e.g. airport's authority) to work with Fids3 from everywhere.

Public Internet Server

The Fids3 application can also run (with limited functionality) on the airport's public web server. In this constellation the public Fids3 server will be continuously kept in sync with the Fids3 server located in the airport's Intranet. All public access to airport's flight information as well as services like public flight status tracking (SMS/Email) will be handled by the public Fids3 server (normally located at any Internet service provider). Static information pages of the airport's web representation are located on the same server and can be enriched with actual flight data. The Fids3 live server is an example for this solution which is the securest way of provision of actual flight data to the public.

System Integration

Fids3 can easily be interfaced with other airport systems and applications including CUTE terminals, airline and handler systems, Baggage Management System, Baggage Handling System, Public Address System and many others.

The modular design and its generically software structures allows the Fids3 system to integrate any remote system reliable and with very limited effort.