Automatic Descent Planning for Supersonic Transition Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Supersonic flight poses challenges due to certification limitations and the need to manage sonic booms, making it difficult to determine and execute an automated descent while avoiding populated areas and weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for automatic descent mode that determines a descent trigger condition, generates a descent plan including supersonic-to-subsonic transitions, and generates actuator instructions to control the vehicle, while considering clearance data to avoid populated areas, weather, and supersonic flight restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated descent is implemented for supersonic flight, then operational efficiency is improved, but compliance with certification limitations and sonic boom management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-planning the descent trajectory and identifying suitable transition points before initiating the automated descent. The flight management system continuously monitors clearance data and pre-calculates descent paths that will comply with certification limitations, ensuring that all necessary decisions are made in advance to maintain reliability while achieving operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring clearance data from on-board systems and adjusting the descent trajectory in real-time. The flight management system receives feedback on the vehicle's position, altitude, and speed, and uses this information to modify the automated descent plan to ensure compliance with sonic boom management requirements and certification limitations throughout the descent process.
2Loss of time
If descent trigger conditions are monitored and automated descent is executed, then response time is reduced, but complexity of determining and executing the maneuver increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated descent system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a trigger condition monitoring module that detects when descent should begin, a flight management system that processes clearance data and calculates trajectories, and an execution module that controls the vehicle. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently and efficiently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining fast response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by autonomously monitoring descent trigger conditions and automatically executing the descent maneuver without requiring continuous human intervention. The flight management system independently processes clearance data, determines the optimal descent trajectory, and controls the vehicle's descent, thereby reducing response time while managing complexity through automation.
3Reliability
If clearance data is obtained and descent plans are generated to avoid populated areas, then safety is improved, but computational requirements and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by obtaining clearance data only for the specific geographic region and altitude range relevant to the current descent, rather than processing global data. The flight management system generates descent plans that focus on avoiding populated areas and restricted zones along the specific trajectory, using computational resources efficiently while maintaining safety through targeted rather than exhaustive analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for controlling an automatic descent of a vehicle. For instance, the method may include: determining whether a descent trigger condition is present; and in response to determining the descent trigger condition is present, performing an automatic descent process. The automatic descent process may include: obtaining clearance data from an on-board system of the vehicle; generating a descent plan based on the clearance data, the descent plan including a supersonic-to-subsonic transition and/or a supersonic-descent to a target altitude; and generating actuator instructions to a control the vehicle to descend to the target altitude based on the descent plan.