Graphical Differential Ground Speed Display for Separation Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interpreting alphanumerical data for differential ground speed during visual separation approaches in aircraft is slower and more cognitively demanding than graphical information, necessitating a more intuitive display method.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for displaying differential ground speed graphically on a cockpit display, using a speed scale, separation scale, and advisory/warning indicators to provide a color-coded status of predicted separation changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If alphanumerical data is used to display ground speed information, then information can be provided, but interpretation becomes slower and more cognitively demanding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-coded indicators to represent different ground speed relationships. The TTF aircraft symbol changes color (e.g., green, yellow, red) based on whether it is faster, same speed, or slower than the ownship aircraft. This visual color-coding system replaces or supplements alphanumerical data, enabling pilots to rapidly comprehend speed differential information without cognitive processing of numbers, thus resolving the contradiction between information delivery and ease of interpretation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms one-dimensional alphanumerical speed data into two-dimensional graphical representations. Speed bars are displayed adjacent to aircraft symbols, with their lengths visually representing ground speed magnitudes. The TTF aircraft symbol itself may be positioned or sized to indicate speed relationships. This dimensional transformation allows pilots to perceive speed differentials intuitively through visual comparison rather than numerical interpretation, improving both information delivery and cognitive efficiency.
2Reliability
If alphanumerical data is used for traffic display, then separation information can be maintained, but visual interpretation is slower compared to graphical information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded advisory/warning indicators to communicate separation status. When the TTF aircraft is within certain distance thresholds or speed differentials create separation concerns, the system displays colored indicators (e.g., green for safe, yellow for caution, red for warning). This allows pilots to maintain reliable separation awareness while interpreting information at a glance through color perception rather than reading and processing alphanumerical separation data, thereby improving interpretation speed without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous visual feedback through graphical symbols and color-coded indicators that reflect real-time separation status and speed differential relationships. The TTF aircraft symbol and associated speed bars are dynamically updated to show current separation conditions. This visual feedback mechanism enables pilots to maintain separation more efficiently by providing intuitive, real-time information that can be processed faster than alphanumerical data, thus improving both productivity and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for displaying differential ground speed for traffic surrounding an aircraft. The system includes an aircraft control panel in a cockpit of an ownship aircraft and a digital traffic display located on the control panel. The digital traffic display provides cockpit display of traffic information (CDTI) that shows a speed scale with a graphical display of the ground speed of the ownship aircraft and the ground speed of traffic to follow (TTF). The separation scale also shows a graphical display of a separation distance between the ownship aircraft and the TTF. A change in separation distance is calculated based of the difference in ground speed between the ownship aircraft and the TTF. An advisory/warning indicator that shows a color-coded status of the change in separation distance in comparison a pre-determined desired separation distance between the ownship aircraft and the TTF.