Aircraft Spacing Control Using Predictive Trajectory Trends
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Airborne Separation Assurance Systems (ASAS) are either purely reactive, leading to "accordion" phenomena, or require knowledge of the predictive trajectory of the target aircraft, which is not always available, making it difficult to optimize the relative spacing between aircraft during approach phases.
Innovation Solution
A method that collects and analyzes positional data of the target aircraft to calculate and predict relative spacing, determining speed setpoints for the following aircraft to maintain required spacing, using a series of calculations to adjust speed based on trends in relative spacing, either in distance or time, ensuring adherence to tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current ASAS methods are purely reactive, then the system is simple to implement, but it causes accordion phenomena and cannot optimize spacing between aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by constructing a predictive trajectory for the target aircraft based on its current flight plan and flight management system data. This allows the following aircraft to anticipate future positions and adjust spacing proactively rather than reactively, preventing accordion phenomena while maintaining system feasibility through existing onboard equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by periodically comparing the actual relative spacing with the required spacing, analyzing trends in the second series of predictive spacings, and adjusting speed setpoints accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism optimizes spacing while avoiding the accordion effect through proactive adjustments
2Reliability
If the system requires knowledge of predictive trajectory of target aircraft, then spacing optimization is improved, but information availability deteriorates as it is not always possible
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-service by leveraging the target aircraft's own flight management system and flight plan data, which are already available onboard. The following aircraft independently constructs its own predictive trajectory based on received information, eliminating the need for the target aircraft to transmit additional predictive trajectory data
3Measurement precision
If the system uses intensive acquisition processing operations, then predictive capabilities are improved, but processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential elements needed for predictive spacing management from the target aircraft's data - specifically position, speed, and flight plan information - rather than processing complete predictive trajectories. This selective extraction maintains adequate predictive capability while significantly reducing processing load
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing for the optimized regulation of the relative spacing between aircraft is disclosed. This method can be implemented by a system whose physical architecture can rely mainly on existing computers on board most current aircraft. The method includes a main step of determining the changing trend of the relative spacing, in distance or in time, between a target aircraft (C) and a following aircraft (S).