Avionics Display Correlation for Intruder Aircraft Situational Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional avionics display systems lack visual information about neighboring aircraft, limiting pilots' situational awareness, especially in air traffic management scenarios where crew-centric systems are becoming increasingly important.
Innovation Solution
An avionics display system and method that correlates intruder symbols on a lateral map display (LMAP) and a vertical situation display (VSD) to enhance situational awareness by graphically representing and highlighting intruder aircraft positions, including hidden ones, using a processor and user input device to facilitate identification and action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional avionics display systems are used, then the display shows host aircraft flight parameters and geographical features, but visual information about neighboring aircraft is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a two-dimensional lateral map display to a three-dimensional vertical situation display. The VSD adds the vertical dimension (altitude) to the traditional lateral view, allowing pilots to see intruder aircraft positions in three dimensions. This resolves the information loss by presenting neighboring aircraft data in a new dimensional space that complements the conventional LMAP display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the display system into two distinct but correlated views: the lateral map display (LMAP) showing horizontal positions and the vertical situation display (VSD) showing altitude information. By dividing the traffic information presentation into these separate dimensional segments, the system can display comprehensive neighboring aircraft data without overwhelming a single display, thus managing device complexity while improving information completeness.
2Loss of information
If intruder symbols are displayed on LMAP or VSD, then situational awareness is improved, but ambiguity arises when intruders are hidden beneath other intruders in one of the displays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by correlating intruder symbols between the LMAP and VSD displays. When a pilot selects an intruder symbol in one display, the system provides feedback by highlighting or indicating the corresponding intruder in the other display. This cross-display feedback mechanism resolves ambiguity by allowing pilots to verify intruder positions across both lateral and vertical views, eliminating confusion when intruders are hidden in one perspective.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the correlation mechanism as an intermediary between the two display systems. The correlation function acts as a mediator that connects intruder symbols across LMAP and VSD, allowing information to be transferred and verified between displays. This intermediary process resolves identification ambiguity by providing a bridge that links hidden intruders in one view to their visible counterparts in the other view.
3Productivity
If ground-based air traffic control systems are used, then air traffic management is handled by controllers, but the volume of air traffic that can be effectively managed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling flight crews to independently manage and monitor air traffic using the correlated LMAP and VSD displays. Instead of relying entirely on ground-based controllers, the system empowers pilots to self-monitor neighboring aircraft positions in three dimensions and make independent situational awareness decisions. This shifts part of the air traffic management function to the aircraft itself, increasing overall system capacity without proportionally increasing ground control complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for displaying a first intruder aircraft symbology on a lateral map display and on a vertical situation display is provided. Symbology is generated that is graphically representative of the first intruder aircraft on the lateral map display and the VSD. Additional symbology is generated to correlate the first intruder aircraft on the lateral map display to that on the vertical situation display.