Aircraft Trajectory Message Arbitrator for FMS Control Authority
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft trajectory management systems face challenges in integrating multiple messaging standards like CPDLC and SWIM, leading to incompatibilities and the need for extensive recertification, which complicates the management of both short-term and long-term trajectory changes.
Innovation Solution
An arbitrator system is introduced to manage and arbitrate between trajectory messages from different sources, ensuring that the flight management system (FMS) maintains control authority by prioritizing and timing the integration of messages based on their strategic and tactical time horizons, using an arbitrator to determine which messages are sent to the FMS for processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple messaging standards (CPDLC and SWIM) are integrated into the aircraft trajectory management system, then the system's adaptability and information sharing capability are improved, but the device complexity and recertification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (arbitrator/message manager) that sits between the multiple messaging standards (CPDLC, SWIM) and the Flight Management System. This intermediary translates and reconciles messages from different standards into a unified format that the FMS can process, thereby enabling multi-standard compatibility without directly modifying the core FMS architecture and avoiding extensive recertification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional layers: the message reception layer that handles multiple standards (CPDLC, SWIM), the arbitration layer that resolves conflicts and prioritizes messages, and the FMS execution layer that implements approved trajectory changes. This segmentation allows each layer to be independently managed and certified, reducing overall system complexity.
2Loss of information
If trajectory changes from multiple sources are processed simultaneously, then the system's information completeness is improved, but the risk of control conflicts and processing errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arbitrator implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors the state of trajectory messages from different sources, compares them against the current approved trajectory, and adjusts message routing decisions accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that only consistent and non-conflicting trajectory changes are passed to the FMS, maintaining control authority while incorporating information from multiple sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary arbitration and conflict resolution before trajectory changes are sent to the FMS. The arbitrator pre-processes messages from multiple sources, identifies potential conflicts, and resolves them in advance, ensuring that only validated and conflict-free trajectory changes reach the execution layer, thereby preventing control errors.
3Speed
If the system prioritizes tactical trajectory messages for immediate processing, then the response time to current air traffic control instructions is improved, but the integration of strategic long-term trajectory changes is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The arbitrator implements dynamic priority assignment that adjusts message handling based on time-criticality. Tactical messages with immediate implementation requirements are assigned high priority for rapid processing, while strategic messages with longer time horizons are assigned lower priority but still receive systematic integration. This dynamic prioritization ensures timely response to urgent ATC instructions while maintaining progress on strategic trajectory planning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic review cycles where strategic trajectory messages are re-evaluated at scheduled intervals. This periodic action ensures that strategic changes are systematically integrated over time without being completely overshadowed by tactical message traffic, balancing immediate response requirements with long-term trajectory optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for managing a trajectory for an aircraft. A computer system receives an agreed trajectory change for a future portion of the trajectory for the aircraft. The strategic trajectory message is approved by a strategic air traffic controller. The computer system determines whether the agreed trajectory change has been received within a strategic time horizon for making strategic changes to the trajectory. The computer system sends the agreed trajectory change for a future portion of the trajectory for the aircraft to an aircraft computer system in the aircraft in response to the agreed trajectory change being received within the strategic time horizon.