Digital Transformation of Modern Airports by Exploiting Fog as a Service Model

Fog as a Service (FaaS) is an economical variant of fogging that provisions a decentralize cloud, which can be shared by multiple tenants. It is agile, secure, and brings intelligence and processing closer to a sequential network. Such peculiar traits have piqued the curiosity of author in exploiting FaaS prototype for revolutionizing the design of Airport Information Management Systems (AIMS). AIMS is an assembly of exclusive information technology (IT) systems that are deployed to enhance the functionality of modern airports. These systems not only facilitate in routine airlines/airport operations, but also enrich passengers travelling experience. This research is an attempt to explicate the AIMS architecture, which is bound to lay down the foundations for conceptualizing a fully integrated smart airport. The work is limited to airline and airfield systems, airport IT and administration systems. The focal point of AIMS blueprint is a resilient fog mesh. The FaaS model resides at the core of Fog-Airport Operational Database (F-AODB) and its corresponding fog nodes. The networking nodes in FaaS domain forward the aggregated data to F-AODB via Information Broker (IB). The role of IB is to interface zero tolerance systems locally. The research methodology also signifies AIMS design criteria, system dependencies, codes and standards. The study reaches its climax by anticipating the shortfalls on the prevailing design of AIMS network. A qualitative analysis conclude that the propositions laid down in this work will provide a solid baseline for digital transformation of modern airports.