Cloud-Based Air Traffic Control Server Architecture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current air traffic control systems are costly and inefficient, requiring expensive hardware at multiple locations and lacking seamless information exchange between different air navigation service providers.

Innovation Solution

A cloud-based server structure communicates with controller working positions and radio ground stations via IP infrastructure, providing applications and processing power remotely, allowing shared costs and easy information exchange between service providers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional air traffic control hardware is deployed at each controller working position, then air traffic control functionality is provided locally, but the costs are very high and hardware complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair traffic control functionalityVSAvoidhardware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the computational power and air traffic control applications from local hardware at each controller working position and relocates them to a centralized cloud-based server structure. This allows controller working positions to function as simple clients accessing services remotely via network, eliminating the need for expensive local hardware while maintaining full air traffic control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a cloud-based server structure as an intermediary between the controller working positions and the air traffic control applications. This intermediary provides the necessary computational resources and applications remotely, allowing controller working positions to operate without complex local hardware while ensuring reliable air traffic control functionality through network connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If separate air traffic control systems are maintained at different locations, then local control is ensured, but information exchange between air navigation service providers becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocal control capabilityVSAvoidinformation exchange efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple air traffic control systems at different locations into a unified cloud-based server structure that is accessible by multiple air navigation service providers. This consolidation enables seamless information exchange between providers while maintaining local control capability through network-connected controller working positions at each location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal cloud-based server structure that serves multiple air navigation service providers and controller working positions across different locations. This multi-functional platform enables all providers to access shared applications and exchange information efficiently while maintaining their respective local control capabilities through network connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple controller working positions are established at different locations, then air traffic control coverage is expanded, but the costs for establishing hardware at each location increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair traffic control coverageVSAvoidhardware deployment cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the expensive hardware requirements from each controller working position and consolidates them into a single cloud-based server structure. This allows multiple locations to be served by one centralized system, expanding air traffic control coverage without the proportional increase in hardware deployment costs that would be required if each location had its own full hardware setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3905639B1Communication system and methods of controlling air traffic of an airspace
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3905639B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a communication system for air traffic control. The communication system (10) comprises a cloud based server structure (12), at least one controller working position (14) as well as at least one radio ground station (16) for transmitting radio signals to an aircraft (42) and/or receiving radio signals from an aircraft (42). The at least one radio ground station (16) and the at least one controller working position (14) are connected to the cloud based server structure (12) by means of an internet protocol infrastructure (20). The cloud based server structure (12) is configured to process signals for air-ground communication and/or ground-ground communication. Furthermore, a method of controlling air traffic of an airspace is described.