Tall structures such as wireless communication towers or windmills can be hazards for air traffic. A Québec company has developed specialized protective lighting for these structures to help aircraft see these obstacles.
Technostrobe approached the Centre collégial de transfert technologique en optique-photonique (Optech) at Cégep André-Laurendeau for help increasing the efficiency of their beacons, which are installed on radio broadcasting and wireless communications towers and on wind turbines. Meeting Transportation Canada’s very strict photometric standards, the beacons are exposed to severe climatic conditions over very long periods.
“Optech’s participation clearly and greatly sped up Technostrobe’s product development,” according to Francis Lacombe, V.P. of Sales and Marketing for Technostrobe. “This collaboration has allowed us to structure, prototype, and test our ideas and concepts locally, thanks to the Optech team’s great flexibility and availability.”
These new components have better optical performance, are lighter weight, and cost less since they require less material and fewer optical surfaces to reach and surpass conventional levels of spherical optical performance. They can be integrated into the optical systems used in various applications, such as imagery and projection systems.
As a result of this project, Optech has new expertise in free-form optical design and prototyping. Optech is also developing optical illumination and imagery expertise for the performing arts, digital media, and sciences.
