Airport Runway Incursion Prevention via GPS Data Packets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems fail to effectively prevent runway incursions at airports, relying heavily on visual sightings and untested commercial graphics processors, which can provide misleading information, and lack efficient geo-referenced displays of active aircraft positions.
Innovation Solution
The method periodically transmits data packets on the airfield voice communication channel containing an aircraft's ground position and unique identifier, using existing GPS and audio signals to display aircraft positions on a geo-referenced map, enabling accurate and cost-effective visualization of all aircraft on the airport for pilots and ground controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visual sightings by control tower or pilot are used to provide verbal warning of potential runway incursion, then the system is simple and low cost, but the system is unreliable and can result in catastrophic situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of GPS receivers, data processors, and display units that mediate between aircraft positions and pilots/controllers. This intermediary automated system provides reliable runway incursion prevention information without requiring direct visual sightings, resolving the contradiction between reliability and simplicity by automating the detection and warning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual system of direct observation and verbal warning with an electronic automated system using GPS, data processing, and visual displays. This substitution maintains relative simplicity while dramatically improving reliability by eliminating human error and providing continuous automated monitoring of aircraft positions.
2Reliability
If commercial graphics processors are used for display, then the system is low cost, but the system can provide misleading information due to potential failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of commercial graphics processors by implementing a simplified display mode that shows only essential runway incursion information rather than full graphical capabilities. This parameter change allows the use of low-cost commercial processors while ensuring they provide reliable, non-misleading information by limiting their function to basic positional display with clear visual alerts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses commercial graphics processors to create simplified copies or representations of aircraft positions and runway layouts, rather than requiring complex proprietary display systems. This copying approach allows reliable display functionality using inexpensive off-the-shelf components, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture.
3Reliability
If a geo-referenced display of all active aircraft positions is implemented, then runway incursion prevention is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal data packet format and communication protocol that can be used across all aircraft and display systems at an airport. This multi-functionality allows a single standardized system to provide geo-referenced positioning, identification, and display capabilities for multiple aircraft simultaneously, reducing overall system complexity while improving runway incursion prevention through comprehensive situational awareness.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a system and method for minimizing or preventing runway incursion at airports by utilizing data packets of information transmitted over the voice communication channel used by pilots at the airport. The data packets of information contain the latitudinal and longitudinal position of the aircraft provided by an on board GPS receiver and a unique identifier for the aircraft, such as the tail number, which is then received by other aircraft on the same ground frequency, and the tower, and displayed on a geo-referenced map display of the airport provided to the pilots and the tower ground controller. The information may be updated by polling the various aircraft In this manner, information received from all active aircraft within an airport can be displayed on an electronic map of the airport which can be viewable by the pilots on the ground as well as the ground controller.