Air Traffic Control Ethernet Architecture for Lower Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air traffic control systems are costly, complex to install and maintain, and limited in functionality due to permanently installed processing units, leading to high noise levels and restricted mobility of air traffic controllers.
Innovation Solution
The system transmits video and image data via an Ethernet connection between a machine with an operating system and devices without an operating system, allowing for bidirectional communication of data and control commands, reducing the need for fiber optic cables and enabling decentralized operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fiber optic cables are used to transmit video and image data, then transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical fiber transmission system with an electrical Ethernet cable transmission system. Instead of using complex fiber optic cables and optical transceivers, the invention uses standard Ethernet cables and network interface cards to transmit video and image data, significantly simplifying the physical infrastructure while maintaining reliable transmission through digital networking protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs Ethernet cables that serve multiple functions: transmitting video data, transmitting image data, and providing bidirectional control command transmission. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for separate dedicated cables for each function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining transmission reliability through the robust Ethernet protocol stack
2Adaptability or versatility
If processing units are permanently installed at each air traffic controller workstation, then functionality is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the operating system and complex processing functions from the air traffic controller workstations and consolidates them into a centralized server. The workstations are reduced to simple display terminals that receive video and image data over the network, eliminating the need for expensive, complex processing units at each individual workstation while preserving all necessary functionality through networked access to the centralized system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple distributed processing units into a single centralized server that handles all video processing, image processing, and control command routing. This consolidation reduces the total number of processing units needed, lowers costs, and simplifies the system architecture while maintaining adaptability and versatility through software-based processing that can be dynamically allocated to different workstations as needed
3Ease of operation
If multiple air traffic controllers work in one room at assigned workstations, then control functionality is maintained, but noise levels increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air traffic control system into spatially separated components: a centralized server that can be located in a noise-controlled environment and multiple distributed workstations that can be placed in separate rooms or locations. Air traffic controllers can work in individual quiet spaces while maintaining full control functionality through networked connectivity, eliminating the noise problem of co-located workstations while preserving operational capabilities
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
An air traffic control system (10) for air traffic control comprises at least one machine (12) running an operating system and at least one operating system-free device (14). An Ethernet connection (16) exists between the machine (12) and the operating system-free device (14). The operating system-free device (14) has at least one control function. The operating system-free device (14) is configured to control the machine (12) and/or devices associated with the machine (12) via this at least one control function. The air traffic control system (10) is configured such that the operating system-free device (14) receives at least video and/or image data from a source (22). The machine (12) has a peer-to-peer connection or an Ethernet connection (16) via an intermediate system (38) to the operating system-free device (14). Furthermore, a method for transmitting video and/or image data in an air traffic control system (10) is described.