Aircraft Guidance System Automation for Arrival Time Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft guidance systems during landing phases in high traffic density areas face challenges with precision, increased airspace density, and inefficient fuel consumption due to manual ground-based control methods, which lead to longer separation times and suboptimal flight paths.
Innovation Solution
An automated guidance system for aircraft that includes detection of collision risks and selection between two guidance modes: one for maintaining predetermined spacing and another for precise time-based waypoint passage, integrated with flight management systems to optimize fuel consumption and reduce environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual ground-based control methods are used for aircraft guidance during landing phases, then air controllers can manage traffic flow, but the precision of arrival times at convergence points deteriorates and separation times increase
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft's flight management system automatically generates and executes guidance commands for path optimization and timing, allowing the system to guide itself without continuous manual intervention. The FMS computes optimal paths considering aircraft-specific parameters and automatically adjusts flight paths to meet convergence point timing requirements while maintaining safety separations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control (radio communications between controllers and crews) with automated electronic systems. The FMS automatically processes traffic flow data, computes optimized paths, and generates guidance commands, substituting the human-in-the-loop mechanical control system with an automated electronic guidance system that provides superior precision and timing control.
2Reliability
If long separation minima are imposed between aircraft to compensate for imprecise ground-based guidance, then collision risk is reduced, but airspace density increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors aircraft positions, speeds, and predicted arrival times at convergence points. The FMS receives real-time data from air traffic control and other aircraft, computes updated optimal paths, and adjusts guidance commands dynamically. This closed-loop feedback enables precise control of separation distances, maintaining safety while minimizing spacing to maximize airspace utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The guidance system dynamically adjusts flight paths, speeds, and timing based on real-time conditions. Rather than imposing fixed separation minima, the FMS continuously optimizes separation distances based on current traffic situations, aircraft performance, and convergence point requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows safer, tighter spacing while maintaining collision avoidance.
3Productivity
If path stretching techniques are used by air controllers to sequence aircraft, then traffic flow is optimized, but fuel consumption and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The FMS optimizes flight path parameters (altitude, speed, heading) based on aircraft-specific characteristics such as weight, engine performance, and aerodynamic properties. Rather than applying uniform path stretching to all aircraft, the system computes customized optimal paths for each aircraft that achieve convergence point timing while minimizing fuel consumption. The system changes multiple flight parameters simultaneously to find the most efficient path.
Solution Approach 2:
The guidance system applies aircraft-specific optimization rather than uniform control. Each aircraft receives a customized flight path optimized for its specific performance characteristics, weight, and operational requirements. This local optimization ensures that each aircraft consumes minimal fuel while still achieving the required traffic flow optimization and convergence point timing, rather than applying blanket path stretching to all aircraft.
4Ease of operation
If radar guidance with low-altitude level flight is used for late path adjustment, then aircraft sequencing is achieved, but guidance optimization deteriorates and environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The FMS computes and establishes optimized flight paths well in advance of the convergence point, rather than making late adjustments via radar guidance. The system plans the complete optimal path considering all aircraft-specific parameters and traffic flow requirements before execution. This preliminary optimization avoids last-minute low-altitude maneuvers that generate excessive noise and environmental impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces radar vectoring and manual low-altitude level flight guidance with automated FMS-computed optimal paths. The flight management system electronically generates and executes precision-guided paths that achieve sequencing without requiring late, noisy radar-guided maneuvers. This substitution of automated electronic path optimization for manual radar guidance eliminates the environmental penalties associated with late path adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
The guidance system (1) comprises a first means (2) for guiding the aircraft while maintaining a spacing with another aircraft, a second means (3) for making the aircraft pass through a particular waypoint at a required passing time, and means (5) for selecting automatically one of said first and second means (2, 3).