Aircraft Spatio-Temporal Hazard Data Sharing via Airspace Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft radar systems have limited detection ranges for hazardous airspace conditions, leading to latency and incomplete hazard information, especially in inclement weather, which can jeopardize safety and increase fuel costs.
Innovation Solution
The system breaks down airspace into smaller sub-airspaces, assigns identifiers, and communicates hazard data between aircraft to provide a broader view of airspace conditions, updating and transmitting data to ensure real-time, reliable hazard information across a larger range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aircraft use on-board radar systems to detect hazardous airspace conditions, then hazard detection capability is provided, but detection range is limited by hardware characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines on-board radar detection with ground-based radar detection and inter-aircraft communication to create a distributed sensing network. Multiple detection sources are merged to provide comprehensive hazard information that overcomes the limited range of individual on-board radar systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ground-based radar systems and communication networks as intermediaries between aircraft and hazardous conditions. These intermediaries extend the effective detection range by relaying hazard information from areas beyond the aircraft's direct radar coverage.
2Area of stationary object
If ground-based radar systems are used to provide hazard information, then broader airspace coverage is achieved, but data latency increases and availability is limited to land areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the airspace into multiple zones and uses a distributed network of detection sources (ground-based radar, on-board radar, other aircraft) to monitor different segments simultaneously. This segmentation allows real-time coverage of both land and ocean areas without relying on a single centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
Aircraft equip themselves with on-board radar and communication capabilities, enabling them to independently detect and share hazard information. This self-service approach reduces dependence on ground-based systems and minimizes latency by allowing aircraft to detect and communicate hazards in real-time without ground system intervention.
3Length of stationary object
If aircraft communicate hazard data with each other, then detection range is extended, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses universal communication protocols and data formats that allow different aircraft systems to exchange hazard information efficiently. The communication system serves multiple functions including hazard detection, position reporting, and collaborative avoidance, reducing overall system complexity through multi-functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for maintaining spatio-temporal data for a given area (e.g., an airspace) containing a given node (e.g., an aircraft) and one or more other nodes (e.g., aircraft). The given aircraft may break the given airspace into a first plurality of smaller airspaces, and may also break the given airspace into a second plurality of smaller airspaces. The given aircraft may then detect local spatio-temporal data for each smaller airspace located within its detectable range. The aircraft may also receive remote spatio-temporal data for the smaller airspaces from the one or more other aircraft. Thereafter, the aircraft may update stored spatio-temporal data based on the aircraft's navigation data, the local spatio-temporal data, the remote spatio-temporal data, and/or a reliability of the data. Further, the aircraft may transmit the stored spatio-temporal data for receipt by the one or more other aircraft.