Loss of Separation Prediction via CPDLC Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft guidance systems face challenges in predicting and responding to loss of separation events, particularly due to restricted traffic avoidance maneuvers and independent operation of traffic data systems from navigation or flight management systems, which limits their ability to address flight profile changes effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that continuously receive host aircraft status data and traffic flight information, process CPDLC messages to construct modified flight paths, and identify potential loss of separation events between the host aircraft and neighbor aircraft trajectories, generating annunciation commands for timely alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traffic data systems work independently of aircraft navigation or flight management systems, then system simplicity is maintained, but the ability to address flight profile changes and predict loss of separation events is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the traffic data system with the flight management system by integrating CPDLC message processing and flight profile change analysis into a unified LOS evaluation system. This combination allows the system to access both traffic data and navigation data simultaneously, enabling comprehensive LOS prediction while maintaining modular architecture through standardized data interfaces.
2Loss of time
If loss of separation evaluation is performed in real-time with immediate annunciation, then response time is reduced, but the cognitive demand on pilots increases during critical situations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary LOS evaluation by continuously monitoring flight profile changes through CPDLC messages and constructing modified flight paths in advance. By predicting potential LOS events before they occur and providing advance annunciation, the system reduces the cognitive burden on pilots during critical moments while maintaining rapid response capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods directed to evaluating potential loss of separation are provided. The method continuously receives a host status data, as well as traffic flight information for neighbor traffic. Responsive to a controller pilot data link communication (CPDLC) message with a flight profile change, the method continues by processing the host aircraft status data and the traffic flight information, to (i) construct a modified host flight path based on incorporating the host profile change without delay, and (ii) construct a neighbor aircraft trajectory for a neighbor aircraft. The method processes the modified host flight path and the neighbor aircraft trajectory with loss of separation (LOS) rules, to identify a potential loss of separation (LOS) event. Responsive to identifying the potential LOS event, the method continues by annunciating information describing the potential LOS and its location.