Dynamic Taxiing Route Display Using ADS-B Traffic Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current taxiing route determination systems rely on static airport databases and require significant pilot input, failing to account for dynamic conditions such as changing taxiway directions and traffic, which increases pilot workload, especially in complex or unfamiliar airports and low visibility conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses dynamic airport conditions, including Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) traffic data and NOTAM communications, to determine and display optimal taxiing routes on an airport moving map, minimizing pilot input by considering ground traffic direction, traffic density, and aircraft characteristics, thereby avoiding closed taxiways and optimizing route selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rule-based path determination algorithm using static airport database is used, then the system is simple to implement, but it cannot provide optimal path based on current airport conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by transitioning from a static airport database to a dynamic system that continuously updates taxiway status, ground traffic positions, and route recommendations based on real-time conditions. The system dynamically adjusts the airport moving map and recalculates optimal taxiing routes as conditions change, making the navigation system adaptive to current airport operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring ground traffic positions, taxiway closures, and aircraft location, then using this information to update the airport moving map and recalculate optimal routes. The real-time data from ADS-B transponders and other sources feeds back into the route determination algorithm, enabling the system to adapt its recommendations based on actual airport conditions.
2Ease of operation
If minimal pilot input is used for route determination, then pilot workload is reduced, but the system requires sophisticated algorithms to determine optimal routes automatically
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically determining optimal taxiing routes without requiring significant pilot input. The route determination algorithm autonomously processes aircraft location, destination, ground traffic conditions, and taxiway status to generate recommended routes. The pilot simply needs to input the destination, and the system handles the complex route planning independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by using multiple input parameters (aircraft location, destination, ground traffic positions, taxiway closure status) to dynamically adjust the route determination. The system changes route parameters based on real-time conditions, optimizing the taxiing path by adjusting for traffic density, taxiway availability, and directional constraints automatically.
3Reliability
If dynamic airport conditions are considered in route planning, then optimal routes are achieved, but the system requires real-time data from multiple sources including ADS-B and NOTAM
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple data sources including ADS-B ground traffic information, NOTAM taxiway closure data, aircraft location from GPS/INS, and airport database information into a unified airport moving map. The route determination algorithm integrates all these diverse data streams to generate accurate optimal routes, combining real-time surveillance data with static airport infrastructure data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a multi-functional system that handles route determination, traffic monitoring, taxiway status tracking, and dynamic map updating through a single integrated platform. The airport moving map serves multiple functions simultaneously: displaying aircraft position, ground traffic, closed taxiways, and recommended routes, reducing the need for separate specialized systems.
4Loss of information
If the system displays detailed taxiing information on airport moving map, then pilot situational awareness is improved, but the display complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the display information into distinct graphical elements on the airport moving map: aircraft position symbols, ground traffic icons, closed taxiway indicators, recommended route overlays, and navigation guidance elements. Each piece of information is displayed as a separate graphical object that can be independently controlled and updated, allowing comprehensive information presentation without overwhelming the display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color changes to convey different types of information efficiently on the airport moving map. Different colors indicate various taxiway statuses (open/closed), ground traffic types, route segments, and alert conditions. This visual encoding allows the system to communicate complex information states through color variations rather than requiring separate graphical elements for each status.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems of determining and displaying a taxiing route on an airport moving map. The methods and systems include computer implemented steps of: deriving a location of the ground traffic with respect to taxiways or runways at an airport and a direction of travel of the ground traffic, executing a route planning algorithm for determining a route including one or more taxiways and runways from an aircraft location to the taxi destination using, as inputs, airport data from an airport mapping database, the location of the ground traffic, the direction of travel of the ground traffic, and a taxi destination, and generating a display for the display device including an airport moving map based on airport data from the airport mapping database and including a graphical depiction of the route on the airport moving map.