Aircraft Collision Avoidance Broadcast Device Using Compressed Position Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft collision avoidance systems, such as FLARM and ADS-B, have limited broadcasted information, coarse accuracy, and restricted application scenarios, making mid-air collisions under good visibility conditions a significant risk.
Innovation Solution
A broadcast device that uses a GNSS receiver and additional sensors to determine precise position data, which is compressed and gridded to reduce bandwidth, and broadcasts this data with optional encryption, allowing for higher update rates and improved situational awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional FLARM or ADS-B devices broadcast position data, then collision avoidance information is provided, but the broadcasted information is restricted and accuracy is coarse
Solution Approach 1:
The position data is segmented into multiple components (latitude, longitude, altitude, velocity, acceleration) and processed differently. High-precision data from GNSS receivers is combined with enhanced data from additional sensors (barometric pressure, magnetic sensors, acceleration sensors) to create a comprehensive position data set that exceeds traditional broadcast capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sensing systems are merged into a unified positioning architecture. GNSS receiver data is integrated with barometric pressure sensors for altitude enhancement, magnetic sensors for heading information, and acceleration sensors for velocity and maneuver detection. This merging creates a multi-sensor fusion system that provides more complete and accurate position data than any single system alone.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive position data is broadcasted, then situational awareness is improved, but bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Only the most critical position data elements are extracted for broadcasting. The system identifies and transmits essential parameters (position coordinates, altitude, velocity, and basic collision risk indicators) while deriving additional situational awareness information locally at receiving devices. This extraction approach maintains high situational awareness quality while minimizing bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by transmitting compressed or differential position data rather than full precision coordinates continuously. Position updates are optimized by transmitting changes in position (deltas) rather than absolute coordinates, and by adjusting update frequencies based on motion state (higher rates during maneuvers, lower during steady flight), thereby reducing overall bandwidth requirements.
3Productivity
If high update rates are implemented, then collision detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic broadcasting at optimized intervals rather than continuous transmission. Update rates are set to periodic cycles (e.g., every second or half-second) that provide sufficient collision detection accuracy without requiring complex real-time processing. The periodic action is synchronized across multiple aircraft, creating a coordinated update rhythm that reduces processing burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The update rate is made dynamic rather than static. The system automatically adjusts broadcasting frequency based on flight conditions - increasing update rates during high-risk situations (low altitude, high speed, proximity to other aircraft) and reducing rates during low-risk conditions. This dynamic adaptation maintains high collision detection accuracy when needed while reducing device complexity and power consumption during normal operations.
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3c
Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
A broadcast device (10) for wirelessly broadcasting information pertaining to a first aircraft (1) comprises a positioning device (11) configured to determine a position (P1) of the broadcast device (10). The position comprises a latitude, a longitude, and an altitude. A control unit (12) of the broadcast device (10) is configured to receive this position (P1) via an internal bus. Then, the control unit (12) compresses the latitude and the longitude and generates a data packet (D1) comprising the compressed latitude, the compressed longitude, the altitude, and an identifier (ID1) of the broadcast device (10). Thus, bandwidth is saved compared to broadcasting the uncompressed position (P1). On the receiver side, the compressed longitude and latitude are uncompressed using the principle of locality due to limited radio range. This way, an efficient yet unambiguous collision avoidance system for aircraft with an improved accuracy can be implemented.