Aircraft Abnormal Behavior Detection Using Squitter and Terrain Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems fail to effectively detect and alert pilots or authorities about aircraft flying too close to water or terrain, which can lead to controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accidents, as they lack real-time monitoring and alerting capabilities for abnormal flight behaviors.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a processor on board a second aircraft to receive flight data from nearby aircraft, compare it with terrain data, and provide alerts through a display if the aircraft is flying too close to water or terrain, using communication interfaces to send warnings and record abnormal flight data for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current systems are used without real-time monitoring capabilities, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to detect abnormal flight behaviors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (receiving flight data, accessing terrain data, processing information, and displaying alerts) into an integrated system that operates within existing aircraft frameworks. The processor merges reception of squitter messages with terrain database queries and CFIT risk assessment in a unified operational flow, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes existing multi-functional aircraft components: the communication interface handles both standard air traffic communication and CFIT detection, the processor performs both data reception and risk assessment, and the display integrates with existing cockpit instrumentation. This multi-functionality approach enables CFIT detection without requiring entirely separate dedicated systems.
2Reliability
If real-time monitoring of nearby aircraft is implemented, then reliability of CFIT detection is improved, but use of energy increases due to continuous data processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system receives and processes squitter messages at periodic intervals rather than continuously monitoring all aircraft parameters in real-time. The processor evaluates flight data at discrete time points when messages are transmitted, reducing computational load and energy consumption while maintaining effective detection capability for abnormal flight behaviors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the critical parameters needed for CFIT detection from the full flight data streams (such as altitude, position, and flight path information) rather than processing all available data. This selective extraction approach reduces processing requirements and energy consumption while maintaining detection reliability for the specific safety function.
3Measurement precision
If flight data from multiple nearby aircraft is processed, then measurement precision of abnormal behavior detection is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple data sources
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different processing priorities and thresholds to different aircraft based on their proximity and operational context. Nearby aircraft require more intensive analysis while distant aircraft are monitored with simpler parameters, allowing precise detection of abnormal behaviors in critical zones without over-processing all aircraft data equally.
Solution Approach 2:
The data processing function is segmented by aircraft identifier, with each aircraft's flight data processed independently through standardized algorithms. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple data sources systematically, comparing each aircraft's behavior against terrain data and flight rules without creating complex inter-dependent processing logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a communication interface configured to receive squitter messages from other aircraft in the vicinity of an ownship aircraft. The system also includes a processor aboard the ownship configured to receive the squitter messages, determine the altitude and position of the other aircraft from the squitter messages, and compare the altitude of the other aircraft to terrain data at the determined position to determine whether any of the other aircraft are operating abnormally. The system also includes a display providing an indication that a first aircraft of the other aircraft is operating abnormally.