Aircraft Vectoring Control for High-Density Route Rerouting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Air traffic controllers face increased workload and stress when rerouting aircraft due to factors like weather or restricted airspace, especially in high-density traffic conditions, as they struggle to provide timely instructions to multiple flights.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing a control unit that automatically determines vectoring paths, segments, and sends instructions to aircraft, reducing the need for constant human intervention by monitoring positions and providing clear guidance through displays and audio signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If air traffic controllers manually vector aircraft off designated routes, then aircraft can be rerouted to avoid weather or restricted airspace, but controller workload and stress increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to reroute aircraftVSAvoidcontroller workload

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing aircraft to automatically receive and execute vectoring instructions without continuous human intervention. The control unit monitors aircraft positions and automatically generates routing instructions, making the system serve itself rather than requiring constant controller input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical human controller system with an automated control unit that uses computational algorithms to determine vectoring paths. This substitution eliminates the need for human controllers to manually calculate and issue routing instructions, significantly reducing workload while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If air traffic controllers provide manual vectoring instructions to multiple aircraft, then aircraft routing can be adjusted in real-time, but the ability to provide timely instructions to all aircraft deteriorates in high-density traffic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time routing adjustment capabilityVSAvoidtime to provide instructions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating vectoring paths and preparing routing instructions before they are needed. The system continuously monitors aircraft positions and has routing solutions ready to be issued immediately when aircraft approach decision points, eliminating delays in instruction delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring aircraft positions in real-time and automatically adjusting vectoring instructions based on current traffic conditions. This closed-loop control ensures that routing adjustments are made timely and appropriately responsive to changing conditions without human intervention delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of time

If automated control systems are implemented to reduce controller workload, then instruction delivery speed improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstruction delivery timeVSAvoidautomation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a control unit for path calculation, a monitoring system for position tracking, and a communication interface for instruction delivery. This segmentation makes the complex automation system more manageable and maintainable while enabling rapid parallel processing of multiple aircraft.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit is designed as a universal system that can handle multiple aircraft types, routing scenarios, and traffic conditions through a single integrated platform. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate specialized systems for each function, while maintaining fast instruction delivery capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12530977B2Systems and methods for vectoring aircraft in relation to an air traffic service route

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A system and a method include a control unit configured to receive a vectoring path for an aircraft. The vectoring path diverts from an air traffic service route for the aircraft. The control unit is further configured to automatically determine segments of the vectoring path, automatically monitor a position of the aircraft within an airspace, and automatically send vectoring instructions to the aircraft in response to the aircraft reaching locations within the airspace associated with one or more points of the segments.