Aircraft Transponder Wake Vortex Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft struggle to accurately compute the positions and forces of wake vortices generated by leading aircraft, which hinders their ability to benefit from updrafts or avoid turbulence, due to limitations in existing communication systems for sharing flight parameters.
Innovation Solution
A method for transmitting flight parameters from a leading aircraft to an intruding aircraft using a collision avoidance system with an interrogator and transponder, where the intruding aircraft's eligibility to receive parameters is determined by the power of its interrogation signal, allowing only eligible aircraft within a certain distance to receive the necessary data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flight parameters are transmitted to all aircraft requesting them, then more aircraft can benefit from wake vortex information, but automated communication bandwidth capacity is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transmitting flight parameters selectively based on the spatial location of requesting aircraft relative to the leading aircraft. Only aircraft within a predetermined distance threshold receive the parameters, creating a localized information distribution zone that optimizes bandwidth utilization while providing information where most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by calculating distances and determining eligibility to receive parameters before actual transmission occurs. The leading aircraft computes the distance to each requesting aircraft and pre-determines whether parameter transmission should occur, preventing bandwidth overload before it happens.
2Loss of information
If flight parameters are transmitted to aircraft far from the leading aircraft, then more aircraft can access the information, but transmission accuracy and relevance decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures measurement precision by restricting parameter transmission to aircraft within a predetermined distance where wake vortex information remains accurate and relevant. This localized approach maintains high computation accuracy for wake vortex positions and forces while still providing information to multiple aircraft that are in the relevant proximity zone.
3Use of energy by moving object
If all aircraft receive flight parameters, then fuel savings from wake vortex utilization can be maximized, but communication system load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes fuel consumption potential by transmitting parameters to aircraft in the local vicinity where wake vortex exploitation is most effective, while simultaneously reducing communication data traffic through selective transmission. This approach concentrates energy optimization benefits where they can be most effectively realized without overwhelming the communication system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transmitting flight parameters from a leading aircraft (L) to at least one intruding aircraft (I), wherein, the transmission is effected by a collision avoidance system of TCAS type. The transponder of the leading aircraft (L) is configured to measure the spectrum of an interrogation signal received from the intruding aircraft (I) and to compare the power of the spectrum to a threshold power. If the power of the interrogation signal is greater than or equal to the threshold power, then the intruding aircraft (I) is eligible to receive flight parameters from the leading aircraft to be able to compute the position of the centers or the force of circulation of wake vortexes (14L, 15L) generated by the leading aircraft (L). The exchange of flight parameters from the leading aircraft only to eligible intruding aircraft makes it possible to not exceed the maximum automated communication bandwidth capacity.