Aircraft Ground Movement Monitoring and Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airport ground operations lack the safety and efficiency of flight operations, with high risks of collisions and incidents due to congested environments and the inability to transfer flight safety systems to ground movements, especially for aircraft using non-engine drive means.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring and control system that provides automatic control of ground movement for aircraft equipped with non-engine drive means, using sensors and processors to gather and process data for real-time situational awareness and control, reducing the need for ground personnel and enhancing safety and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automatic control systems are implemented for aircraft ground movement, then safety and collision avoidance are improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic ground movement control system is divided into separate functional modules: obstacle detection subsystem, navigation subsystem, control subsystem, and communication subsystem. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently tested and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive safety coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to perform multiple functions including obstacle detection, path planning, automated steering, speed control, and emergency avoidance. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into a single integrated platform, improving safety without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Reliability
If real-time monitoring and automatic control are used, then collision risks are reduced, but data processing requirements and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-processes sensor data and pre-calculates potential collision scenarios before they occur. By continuously analyzing sensor inputs and predicting future states, the system prepares avoidance strategies in advance, reducing the computational burden during critical decision-making moments and improving real-time response capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensor data from LIDAR, cameras, and other detectors is constantly monitored, processed, and used to adjust control commands in real-time. This feedback mechanism ensures that the aircraft responds dynamically to changing environmental conditions while maintaining efficient data processing through iterative optimization.
3Reliability
If non-engine drive means are used for ground movement, then safety during taxi and pushback is improved, but aircraft require additional equipment and infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft is equipped with self-propelled capability through integrated electric motors that can independently drive the aircraft during ground operations without requiring external pushback vehicles or engine operation. This self-service capability eliminates the need for additional ground support equipment and reduces infrastructure requirements while improving safety during taxi and pushback operations.
4Productivity
If ground personnel are reduced through automated systems, then operational efficiency is improved, but system reliability must be higher to compensate
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates redundant sensors, backup control computers, and fail-safe mechanisms that activate automatically if primary systems malfunction. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even if components fail, the aircraft maintains safe operation capability, thereby achieving high reliability necessary for reducing ground personnel while improving operational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved monitoring and control system capable of providing automatic control of ground movement in an aircraft equipped with non-engine drive means for autonomous ground movement to enhance airport ground safety and efficient ground travel is provided. The monitoring and control system is installed on aircraft equipped with non-engine drive means controllable to move the aircraft autonomously on the ground and includes monitoring means positioned in locations on the aircraft selected to obtain a maximum amount of information relating to an aircraft's ground position and operation, processor means, data transmission means, and manual or automatic control means to control and direct operation of an aircraft's non-engine drive means to move the aircraft autonomously, safely and efficiently on the ground. The improved monitoring and control system can be employed with one or a number of aircraft simultaneously to increase safety and efficiency of airport ground operations.