Aircraft Speed Profile Planning Under Navigational Speed Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft operation systems do not account for operating costs when managing speed constraints, which are essential for optimizing flight safety and performance, particularly in NextGen air transportation systems that rely on 4D trajectories and RTA constraints.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that identifies speed constraints associated with navigational reference points, determines a speed envelope region based on maximum acceleration, and constructs a speed profile to autonomously operate aircraft, maximizing time spent at desired speeds while adhering to constraints, including AT and AT OR ABOVE speed constraints, to optimize cost efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If speed constraints are strictly enforced to ensure separation and optimize traffic flow, then flight safety and performance are improved, but operating costs increase due to suboptimum speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts speed constraints based on real-time cost considerations. Instead of enforcing fixed speed constraints, the system generates multiple candidate speed profiles with different cost efficiencies and allows dynamic selection based on current flight conditions, thereby reducing operating costs while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of speed constraints from fixed values to variable ranges. By defining speed envelopes rather than single speed values, the system allows aircraft to operate within a range of speeds that satisfy safety requirements while optimizing for cost efficiency based on current conditions
2Productivity
If RTA constraints are imposed to manage spacing between aircraft, then traffic flow management is improved, but flexibility in speed optimization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the flight path into multiple sections with different speed constraint requirements. Instead of applying a single RTA constraint to the entire flight, the system divides the trajectory into segments where different speed profiles can be optimized independently, allowing flexibility in speed optimization while still meeting overall traffic flow management goals
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts speed profiles within RTA constraints by generating multiple candidate profiles and selecting the most cost-efficient one based on real-time conditions. This dynamic approach maintains productivity by meeting RTA requirements while adapting speed optimization to current flight conditions
3Use of energy by moving object
If cost-indexed target speeds are prioritized to reduce operating costs, then fuel efficiency is improved, but compliance with speed constraints may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis to generate multiple candidate speed profiles before flight execution. By pre-calculating profiles that satisfy both cost efficiency and constraint compliance, the system ensures that fuel-efficient speeds are selected only when they meet all safety and operational constraints, avoiding compromise on either front
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for managing speed-constrained vehicle operations. One exemplary method of operating an aircraft (120) involves identifying a speed constraint (304) associated with a navigational reference point, determining a speed envelope region (302) en route to the navigational reference point based at least in part on the first speed constraint (304), identifying a target speed en route to the navigational reference point, and determining a speed profile (350) for autonomously operations en route to the navigational reference point within the speed envelope region (302). The speed profile (350) intersects the target speed within the speed envelope region (302) and a slope of the speed profile (350) is influenced by the target speed, for example, to effectuate or approximate the target speed by increasing the duration of time operation at or around the target speed is achieved. In one or more embodiments, multiple different target speeds associated with different flight levels or operating regions are accounted for.