Electronic Map Obstacle Symbolization for Real-Time NOTAM Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft obstacle databases are outdated, taking up to a year to incorporate new obstacles and often miss temporary ones, requiring flight crews to manually integrate Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) communications into their navigation, which can be cumbersome and error-prone.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates textual NOTAM communications into an electronic moving map display, using a receiver to communicate with a remote server and update the map with symbolic representations of obstacle data, allowing crews to view all relevant information in a unified and easily interpretable format.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If obstacle databases are updated on a 14-day cycle, then database consistency is maintained, but new obstacles are delayed up to a year in being incorporated
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by receiving and processing NOTAM communications before the regular database update cycle. The flight management system continuously monitors and stores textual obstacle information from NOTAMs, so that when a database update occurs, the information is already prepared and can be quickly integrated, reducing the effective delay from up to a year to much shorter periods.
Solution Approach 2:
NOTAM communications serve as an intermediary mechanism between the obstacle database and the flight management system. Instead of waiting for the formal database update cycle, the system uses NOTAMs as a real-time communication channel to convey obstacle information, which is then processed and displayed to the flight crew immediately, bridging the gap between database updates and current obstacle status.
2Reliability
If flight crews manually integrate NOTAM communications into navigation, then real-time obstacle awareness is achieved, but workload increases and errors may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The flight management system performs self-service by automatically receiving, processing, and integrating NOTAM communications without requiring manual intervention from the flight crew. The system autonomously extracts obstacle information from textual NOTAMs, converts it into symbolic representations, and updates the electronic map display, thereby eliminating the need for crew members to manually copy and integrate this data.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of copying and integrating NOTAM data by hand is replaced with an automated electronic system. The flight management system uses computerized processes to receive electronic NOTAM communications, parse the textual information, and automatically update the display system, substituting the manual mechanical workflow with an automated electronic information processing system.
3Loss of information
If text-based NOTAM descriptions are displayed separately from the electronic map, then complete information is provided, but crew members must switch between displays increasing cognitive load
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the electronic map display with NOTAM information by integrating symbolic representations of obstacles directly onto the map. Instead of showing text-based NOTAM descriptions on a separate display, the flight management system converts the textual information into graphical symbols that are overlaid on the electronic map, combining spatial navigation information and obstacle warnings in a single unified display.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the textual NOTAM information into a different dimensional representation by converting text into graphical symbols on the map display. This dimensionality change from text to visual symbols allows obstacle information to be presented in the same spatial context as the navigation map, enabling pilots to perceive obstacle locations and characteristics visually without switching between text and map displays.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for symbolically representing text-based obstacle data on an electronic map are disclosed. In embodiments, a system includes a receiver in communication with a remote server. The receiver is configured to receive one or more textual communications from the remote server. The system further includes an aircraft display system with a display and a controller. The controller is in communication with the display, the receiver, and a memory. The controller is configured to generate an electronic map at the display based on map data retrieved from the memory, wherein the map data includes geographic information and predetermined obstacle information. The controller is further configured to receive the one or more textual communications from the receiver and update the electronic map to include one or more symbolic representations based on obstacle data derived from the one or more textual communications.