Aircraft Interval Management Using FMS for Precise Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current air traffic management systems face challenges in maintaining precise separation between aircraft, especially in Next Generation airspace, where existing solutions are limited to co-incident and parallel/equidistance paths and require separate interval management systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of Advanced Interval Management (AIM) functions within the Flight Management System (FMS) of Interval Management aircraft, which provides guidance to achieve and maintain ATC-requested distance or time separation by using FMS functions like RTA, Fix, Track Angle, Abeam, Distance, and Distance-To-Go, eliminating the need for a separate interval management computer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate interval management systems are used for aircraft separation, then precise separation control is achieved, but system complexity and implementation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the interval management function with the existing Flight Management System (FMS) by integrating an interval management module that uses FMS data (position, speed, flight plan) to calculate and control separation. This merging eliminates the need for separate interval management systems while maintaining precise separation control through coordinated use of FMS and interval management functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The FMS is enhanced to perform multiple functions including both traditional flight management (navigation, performance) and interval management (separation control). The system universally handles various path configurations (co-incident, parallel, converging, non-equidistance) using the same integrated platform, reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing interval management solutions are used, then separation control is achieved for co-incident and parallel paths, but adaptability to non-coincident and converging paths is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The interval management module dynamically adapts to different path configurations by continuously calculating optimal speed adjustments based on real-time FMS data and the specific geometric relationship between aircraft. The system adjusts its control strategy according to whether paths are co-incident, parallel, converging, or non-equidistance, maintaining reliable separation across all scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (speed, vertical profile) based on the detected path configuration type. For non-coincident and converging paths, the module modifies speed adjustment timing and magnitude to account for changing geometric relationships, ensuring separation is maintained despite varying flight path angles and distances.
3Ease of manufacture
If Advanced Interval Management functions are integrated into FMS, then implementation cost is reduced and existing certified code is leveraged, but the complexity of coordinating multiple FMS functions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interval management module leverages existing FMS capabilities (position calculation, speed management, flight plan data) to perform separation control without requiring extensive external systems. The FMS provides the data and control interfaces needed, and the interval management module processes this information to generate appropriate speed adjustments, reducing implementation cost by using existing certified code and infrastructure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An aircraft (10) and method (200) for controlling a following aircraft (10) in reference to a target aircraft (114) including receiving (202), in a flight management system (8) of the following aircraft (10), information related to the target aircraft (114), setting a required time of arrival at an achieve-by-point (110) abeam of the target aircraft target reference point (106), and after the achieve-by-point is reached, flying the following aircraft to maintain a fixed separation until a defined termination point has been reached (208).