Aircraft Speed Target Adjustment for Merging and Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft merging and spacing systems, such as flight management systems (FMS), fail to account for the unique flight characteristics of individual aircraft, leading to inadequate deceleration timing and spacing between aircraft with different performance capabilities, especially when descending.
Innovation Solution
The system adjusts the speed target of an aircraft by calculating a speed target adjustment based on own ship and lead ship track data, merging and spacing constraints, and flight characteristics, using data from existing onboard systems like FMS, and external sources like ADS-B squitters, to ensure proper merging and spacing, even when aircraft have different deceleration rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If constant time spacing algorithms are used to generate speed targets based on lead aircraft time history, then merging and spacing can be achieved, but aircraft with different flight characteristics (e.g., slick vs. draggy aircraft) cannot maintain proper spacing because they decelerate at different rates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter used for speed target generation from constant time spacing to constant distance spacing. Instead of having trailing aircraft change speed at the same time as lead aircraft, the system calculates speed targets based on maintaining a constant distance separation, which accounts for different deceleration rates of various aircraft types
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculation of speed targets using own ship's specific flight characteristics and performance data before execution. By pre-calculating the speed profile based on the aircraft's own deceleration capabilities rather than copying the lead aircraft's timing, the system ensures proper spacing is maintained throughout the deceleration process
2Ease of operation
If average aircraft performance values are used to predict deceleration timing based on flight plan speed constraints, then speed targets can be generated, but aircraft with unique flight characteristics experience inadequate deceleration timing
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by using each aircraft's own specific performance characteristics and flight data rather than average values. Each aircraft generates its speed targets based on its unique deceleration rate, weight, and performance parameters, ensuring precise deceleration timing tailored to each aircraft's capabilities
3Measurement precision
If FMS calculates deceleration timing based on gross weight, air temperature, and winds, then accurate speed targets can be generated, but the system does not account for the position or speed of other aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges two previously separate functions: the FMS's accurate deceleration calculation based on aircraft performance parameters and the merging/spacing function that considers lead aircraft position and speed. By combining these functions, the system generates speed targets that simultaneously account for both the aircraft's own performance capabilities and the required spacing from lead aircraft
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, computer programs, and apparatus for adjusting a speed target of an aircraft. In particular, the adjustment of the speed target of the aircraft may allow that aircraft to maintain merging and spacing constraints with respect to a leading aircraft. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the speed target of an aircraft may be adjusted by obtaining a speed target, obtaining own ship track data for the aircraft, obtaining lead ship track data for a leading aircraft, and calculating a speed target adjustment based on the speed target, the own ship track data, the lead ship track data and merging and spacing constraints.