Aircraft Landing Path Planning With Constraint-Based Waypoints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air traffic management systems lack an efficient and automated method for aircraft path planning, particularly around airports, which can lead to inefficiencies and safety concerns, especially in uncontrolled environments where pilots rely heavily on their skills and explicit/implicit rules.
Innovation Solution
An automatic flight management system (AFMS) that includes a runway selector module, leg sequencer module, and pattern planner module to generate optimized flight patterns by selecting waypoints with latitude, longitude, and altitude variables, subject to location constraints, optimizing aircraft trajectories for safe and efficient landing and takeoff procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated path planning is implemented, then productivity and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flight management system is divided into distinct functional modules: a runway selector module that identifies appropriate runways, a leg sequencer module that orders flight segments, and a pattern planner module that designs the actual flight path. This segmentation allows each module to handle specific aspects of path planning independently, improving overall system efficiency while managing complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts flight patterns based on real-time conditions including aircraft position, heading, weather, and obstacles. The pattern planner generates optimized waypoints and altitude values that adapt to changing environmental factors, allowing the system to maintain high productivity while responding flexibly to complex operational requirements
2Extent of automation
If automated path planning is implemented, then extent of automation is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flight management system performs self-service by automatically generating complete flight patterns including waypoint selection, sequencing, and altitude planning without requiring manual configuration. The system uses its own sensor data and environmental information to create optimized paths, reducing the operational burden on pilots while maintaining high levels of automation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating multiple potential flight patterns and selecting the optimal one before execution. The pattern planner module prepares waypoint sequences and altitude profiles in advance, allowing the automated system to handle complex navigation tasks while presenting a simple interface for operation
3Loss of time
If optimized flight patterns are generated, then loss of time is reduced, but manufacturing precision is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes flight patterns by dynamically adjusting multiple parameters including waypoint coordinates, altitude values, and sequencing timing. The pattern planner module calculates precise latitude, longitude, and altitude values for each waypoint to achieve both time efficiency and location accuracy, balancing the trade-off between reduced cycle time and maintained precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical navigation methods with computational optimization. Instead of relying on fixed, pre-defined flight paths, the system uses algorithmic generation of waypoints and patterns that simultaneously minimize travel time and ensure precise location accuracy through mathematical optimization of the flight trajectory
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes selecting a landing waypoint on a runway and selecting a starting waypoint based on a location/heading of an aircraft relative to the runway. The method includes selecting additional waypoints between the starting waypoint and the landing waypoint. The starting and additional waypoints include latitude, longitude, and altitude variables. A sequence of waypoints from the starting waypoint to the landing waypoint via the additional waypoints indicates a desired location for the aircraft to traverse. The method includes generating location constraints for the starting and additional waypoints and generating an objective function for optimizing at least one of the variables. Additionally, the method includes generating a solution for the objective function subject to the location constraints. The solution includes latitude, longitude, and altitude values for the variables. The method further includes controlling the aircraft to traverse the starting and additional waypoints according to the latitude, longitude, and altitude values.