Aircraft Trajectory Construction via State Vector Sequences

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current flight management systems face challenges in efficiently constructing flight trajectories due to complex iterative processes, computational resource intensity, and discontinuities in trajectory computations, which hinder real-time trajectory updates and fuel optimization.

Innovation Solution

A method representing the aircraft trajectory as a sequence of state vectors indexed by time, including geographical position and speed components, allowing for a flexible and adaptable computation of trajectory segments using predefined joining strategies and aerodynamic parameters, thereby eliminating the need for iterative processes and ensuring continuous trajectories.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If complex iterative processes are used to construct flight trajectories, then trajectory accuracy and compliance with constraints are improved, but computational time and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrajectory accuracyVSAvoidcomputational time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The trajectory construction is divided into multiple segments corresponding to different flight phases (climb, cruise, descent, approach). Each segment is computed independently using appropriate models and constraints, avoiding the need for complex global iterative optimization while maintaining accuracy. The state vector sequence naturally segments the trajectory computation into manageable portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The method pre-defines a library of joining strategies for different flight phases and constraint types. These strategies are prepared in advance and selected based on the current flight situation, eliminating the need for real-time iterative search and reducing computational time while ensuring constraint compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If iterative processes are used to determine trajectory points, then constraint compliance is improved, but computational resource intensity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstraint complianceVSAvoidcomputational resource intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The state vector representation and joining strategies are designed to automatically satisfy flight constraints through their mathematical structure and selection logic. The system self-regulates to maintain constraint compliance without requiring external iterative verification or adjustment, reducing computational resource intensity while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If lateral and vertical trajectories are computed separately, then computational complexity is reduced, but trajectory continuity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputational complexityVSAvoidtrajectory continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The method merges lateral and vertical trajectory computations by representing both dimensions within a unified state vector sequence. The joining strategies simultaneously determine both lateral and vertical components, ensuring continuity and consistency between the two dimensions while keeping the overall computational approach modular and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If real-time trajectory updates are implemented, then flight optimization is improved, but computational load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflight optimization efficiencyVSAvoidcomputational load

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

For real-time updates, the method computes only the necessary portion of the trajectory from the current position rather than recalculating the entire flight path. This partial computation approach provides timely optimization information with reduced computational load, accepting that not the entire trajectory is updated in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS8930130B2Method for constructing a trajectory of an aircraft by state vector

Publication Date: 2015.01.06 THALES SA

AI summary

A method for constructing a flight trajectory of an aircraft, comprises a step of computing a sequence of state vectors (Ei) representing the trajectory of the aircraft; a state vector (Ei+1) being determined on the basis of the state vector (Ei) preceding it by means of: a step of computing the speed components (Vi+1), consisting in determining: a flight setpoint, by selecting an objective navigation point, a joining strategy adapted to the flight setpoint and to the flight domain (DV) by means of a predefined library (LSr) of joining strategies, a manoeuvre by means of the flight domain (DV), making it possible to follow the joining strategy towards the flight setpoint; a step of computing the other components of the state vector (Ei+1), on the basis of the components of the speed vector (Vi+1) and of the preceding state vector (Ei).