Autonomous Aircraft Taxi Execution from Clearance-Based Route Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current unmanned aircraft systems require manual manipulation of taxi routes, which is inefficient and increases operation costs, as they rely on static pre-approved routes that need operator intervention during taxiing.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for autonomous taxi route execution using a processor and memory that receives clearance communications, generates a context data structure representing a planned taxi route, and executes it by controlling the aircraft's movement along a sequence of waypoints, allowing for automated taxiing with hold and cross commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual manipulation of taxi routes is used, then operator control and flexibility are maintained, but operation costs increase and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the unmanned aircraft to autonomously execute taxi routes by automatically parsing clearance communications, generating context data structures, and controlling vehicle movement without requiring manual operator intervention for each taxiing operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-generates context data structures from clearance communications before taxiing begins, and pre-plans taxi routes using the route planner module, so that when taxiing starts, the aircraft can immediately execute the pre-computed route without delays
2Reliability
If static pre-approved routes are used, then route safety is maintained, but adaptability to dynamic clearance commands is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the taxi route by continuously monitoring for new clearance commands during execution and using the route planner module to recompute routes in real-time based on updated clearance information, allowing the aircraft to respond to dynamic air traffic control instructions while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system actively listens for new clearance commands during taxi route execution and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust and recompute the active leg, ensuring the aircraft follows the most current authorized route while maintaining safety constraints
3Productivity
If automated taxi route execution is implemented, then operation costs decrease and efficiency increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the complex automated taxi route execution into distinct modular components: a front end module for receiving clearances, a clearance manager module for parsing and initial processing, a route planner module for path computation, and an auto taxi module for execution, allowing each component to be developed, tested, and maintained independently
Solution Approach 2:
The context data structure serves as an intermediary that bridges the clearance communication input and the vehicle management system output, encapsulating all necessary route information, hold commands, and execution parameters in a structured format that simplifies communication between system components
4Measurement precision
If manual route definition by clicking waypoints is used, then route precision is achieved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the manual mechanical process of clicking waypoints on a digital map with an automated computational process where the route planner module algorithmically generates precise taxi routes from clearance communications and airport map data, eliminating the time-consuming manual interaction while maintaining or improving route precision
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for autonomous taxi route execution for an aircraft. Clearance communication is received from a ground control station. A plurality of objects is generated from the clearance communication. Next, a context data structure representing a planned taxi route is generated. Last, the planned taxi route is executed.