Technology Description
As industry progresses with digital transformations and applications of Internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) move forward, airport operators may need to completely rethink how they deploy, manage, and use computing architecture and consider advanced computing solutions. However, for airport organizations to potentially leverage advanced computing technology in the future, they must begin to understand where it impacts them now and what they can do about it.
Advanced computing is a large umbrella term for the many new methodologies and technologies—including advancements in materials—used to drive innovative computing methods. Multiple solutions fit under this umbrella, including neuromorphic computing, cloud computing, quantum computing, and edge/fog computing.
Neuromorphic computing is modeled after the function of the human brain in that it computes in parallel instead of following the linear method used in classical computing. This enables it to excel in dealing with ambiguity and more complex forms of data, handling a lot of inputs at once, and allowing for simultaneous actions to occur. It offers powerful computing coupled with low power consumption. Neuromorphic computing promises to bring increased flexibility and faster processing to several applications.
Cloud computing moves computer processing from being physically located in the same general location as a particular system and user to being in one or more remote, or virtual, locations. In this way, a cloud computing solution may serve to increase operational, staffing, and cost efficiencies, while also facilitating operational agility and flexibility. However, slower responsive times may result due to the computation taking place over long distances from the user.
Quantum computing is a computer technology that focuses on principles of quantum theory that offer the ability for bits, stored as ones and zeroes in classical computing, to exist within a range of values (i.e., one and zero) at the same time. Quantum computing could have a huge impact in advancing machine learning, both supervised and unsupervised. This capability is a significant component to advanced AI that has applications in every area of business and life. Eventual development could lead to computing performance greater than what is currently available by orders of magnitude.[1]
Edge/fog computing moves the computer processing from a centralized location to the outer ends of the network, where the end devices and users are, unlike cloud computing which moves computer processing to remote locations. This can increase response time and reduce delay for highly time-sensitive use cases that are required in many IoT and other applications. These architectures attempt to collect, analyze, and process key data at the edge device to reduce data sent to the cloud, which decreases network latency and improves response time.
- Fog computing utilizes multiple sensors or nodes (typically in an IoT environment) to perform computation closer to the data input. Fog computing is an extension of cloud computing. It is similar to edge computing, but the computation is performed at the LAN (local area network) level.
- Edge computing brings computing down to the user device or to a device closer to the user. It is similar to fog computing, but the computation is performed on a user device or another smart device.
It is still too early to understand exactly how the airport can benefit and where these technologies may play a role. However, the complexity and data-rich environments within airports may encourage the use of new and more powerful computing technologies. This Publication includes this group of technologies in the Advanced Transformation Tier due to the potential future impacts; they may power many of the newer generations of technologies used by passengers or help improve airport operations.
Impacts
Until real-world deployments begin, airport operators will likely not understand the full impact that advanced computing deployments will have on their airport environment. This article outlines many of the high-profile impacts that airport operators may expect from advanced computing solutions as their usage increases. Following the impact list, two notable impacts are detailed further.
Impacts
Management/Operations
- Fundamental change to previously understood computing limitations
Technical/Infrastructure Readiness
- Current network infrastructure is designed to support traditional methods of computing
- Comprehensive wireless communications plan required to ensure accommodation for the numerous technologies and devices
Process/Skillset Changes
- Skillset additions are needed to bring on staff who can maintain and deploy solutions
- Necessary understanding of technologies functionality to incorporate into current processes
Passenger Experience/Passenger Process
- Supporting higher-quality artificial intelligence-enabled customer service solutions
- Leveraging data analytics solutions supported by advanced computing technologies to improve processes related to the passenger journey, like staffing resource allocation or accurate dynamic pricing
Security/Safety
- Improved cybersecurity performance offered by quantum computing and other emerging computing techniques
- New threats to cybersecurity as traditional encryption methods are made less effective
Airport Design/Construction
- Must account for design changes to current IT infrastructure rooms to accommodate advanced computing hardware
Legal/Risks
- Risk of vast functional leaps in the technology as development continues making it difficult to strategize approach into the future
Featured Impacts
Current network infrastructure is designed to support traditional methods of computing: Current airport IT infrastructure has been established to implement and support traditional computing infrastructure. While the technical requirements of many advanced computing systems are unknown, they may bring alterations to previous IT support models. Airport organizations should prepare for additions, reductions, or compatibility issues with existing IT infrastructure before deployment.
New threats to cybersecurity: Quantum computing technology reduces the effectiveness of current encryption methods, as they are capable of solving complex problems too difficult for traditional computers. Cybersecurity professionals within an airport organization must monitor the development of quantum-safe encryption techniques to combat the negative impact quantum computing may bring.
Attributes
To better understand advanced computing technology, airport operators should gain a better understanding of its specific attributes. This article explores the operating factors of advanced computing solutions and some of its usage characteristics. Understanding these attributes will help airport operators determine applicable use cases for advanced computing technology and how their organization can support it.
Functional Leaps
Advanced computing technologies are still in the early stages of development. The ongoing research has yielded advancements at highly variable rates. It will be important for airport organizations to monitor trends in the technology as new impacts to the airport environment may be identified through new technology developments.
Computing Power/Hardware Requirements
The emerging nature of these technologies makes it difficult to forecast the technical requirements needed to support their operation. Forms of advanced computing may rely on materials and techniques not used in traditional computing infrastructure. If proven to have benefit to the airport environment, airport operators must assess the noted gaps in their computing infrastructure needed to support advanced computing solutions.
Speed of Adoption
Market adoption of advanced computing technologies is difficult to predict without real-world experience. A technology’s potential use-cases, implementation costs, and technical requirements are all factors that can influence the rate of adoption. As users and researchers gain a better understanding of advanced computing technology, clarity can be gained around the market potential of the technology.
Use Cases/Business Effect
With every new or emerging technology, there are two basic questions an airport operator asks: “how can my airport use this?” and “how does this affect my business, even if my airport doesn’t wish to use it for our own benefit?” This article provides answers to both of these questions, addressing the airport uses cases and the business effect of advanced computing technology.
Use Cases
As advanced computing solutions advance to a point of being cost-effective with widespread adoption, potential use cases become available for airport operators to incorporate into their organizations.
Advanced Data Analytics
Quantum computing and other advanced computing solutions can help organizations reach new levels of computing power. This additional computing power enables more granular data analytics, which provides additional insight into operations. Airport operators may use these new analytics to drive decisions or changes to current processes.
Reduction of Computing Infrastructure
New ways of computing can impact the general computing infrastructure within an organization. The requirements of market-ready advanced computing solutions remain undefined as the development of the technologies continues. The improved flexibility and performance of advanced computing solutions may allow airport organizations to combine multiple types of computing infrastructure into one solution.
Business Effect
Whether or not an airport chooses to employ advanced computing solutions for its own benefit, advanced computing deployments that are not directly initiated/driven by the airport organization may have an effect on aspects of the airport’s operations.
Increased Airline Data Demands
Airlines leveraging advanced computing solutions can address a range of business problems, from implementing optimal pricing models to identifying process efficiencies. However, to accomplish these objectives, airlines may want to gather more data from an airport organization to draw new insights about their customers and business operations. Airport operators should be prepared for increased and varied data requests from airlines leveraging advanced computing solutions.
Tiered Approach
Airport operators interested in new or emerging technologies such as advanced computing will differ in their levels of risk tolerance. Some organizations are comfortable at the forefront of technology and have the resources to support innovation. Other organizations are interested in simply exploring how they can use advanced computing within their limited resources.
This article takes a tiered approach to advanced computing technology, providing use cases that are separated by the following innovation tiers: Reactive, Strategic, and Innovative.
Reactive
Supporting External Party Solutions
Airport organizations that are unable to devote sufficient resources to the internal deployment of advanced computing solutions can provide the necessary operating environment for outside parties to deploy the technology. Airport operators should identify the necessary technical requirements and data integrations to operate solutions including advanced data analytics within the airport environment.
Strategic
Incorporation of Fog and Edge Computing Devices
Airport organizations can explore devices capable of computing data closer to the edge device rather than relying on central processing. This can improve the performance of the connected device by reducing latency and decreasing the amount of data needing to be sent over the airport’s networking infrastructure.
Innovative
Ubiquitous Computing Infrastructure
Ubiquitous computing, also referred to as pervasive computing, is the incorporation of computational capability into everyday objects.[2] These solutions provide users access to computing capabilities in multiple scenarios or locations through wearables—a category of mobile computing technology that can be worn by the user—to provide computing access to users in various airport locations. A user can seamlessly sync and transfer tasks between devices, allowing computing processes to adapt to a user’s needs in different scenarios.
Industry Status
Exploring advanced computing technology deployments in both aviation and non-aviation industries can provide airport operators with a better understanding of the technology as a whole. This article outlines the current state of advanced computing solutions from both perspectives.
Aviation Industry
The aviation industry has not begun a notable exploration into advanced computing technology. This section will be updated as airport organizations identify use cases and experiment with advanced computing solutions.
Non-Aviation Industry
Quantum Computing
New technological deployments and advancements have driven many technology companies to begin experiments. For example, Google and IBM have both looked to invest resources into pushing the technology forward.[3]
Technology Interaction
Technology solutions may enable or be supported by other types of technologies. In some cases, the advancement of one technology may be vital to the effective use of another. This article highlights some of the high-level ways that advanced computing technologies may leverage the functionality of other technologies or be used to enhance the functionality of another. As solution development continues, integrations with other technologies may become more evident.
Artificial Intelligence
The performance improvements of advanced computing can enhance current artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. AI solutions leveraging advanced computing technologies could possess faster data processing, improved machine learning capabilities, and offer a wider selection of use cases. For example, AI solutions can leverage emerging advanced computing technologies to eliminate the constraints of traditional computing infrastructure.
Digital Twin
Advanced computing technology may enhance digital twin solutions as it can provide higher processing speeds to execute real-time simulations and visualizations.
Technology Barriers
As with other technologies noted in this Publication, there are market forces or obstacles in development that present barriers to the deployment and widespread adoption of advanced computing technologies. Keeping abreast of these barriers can help airport operators know when to expect to see wider use of this technology in the public, and when they should look to reassess it for their own use. This article outlines the current state of advanced computing barriers.
Further Industry Research to Develop Tangible Solutions
Current solutions are still very early in their development cycles and require further development to be considered market-ready products. Researchers should look at potential use cases and develop ways to provide reliable and useable products.
Product Commercialization
Current advanced computing offerings are prototypes or test products. They are the results of large research and development investments and currently are not designed for sale on the open market. Further refinement of the process will be required to develop a cost-effective and commercially available unit.