Modular Vertical Flight Plan System for Dynamic Trajectory Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional flight management systems (FMS) are inflexible and costly to modify, limiting the types of vertical flight plans they can support, particularly in evolving air traffic control environments where user-defined trajectories and regulations require more dynamic and efficient flight paths.
Innovation Solution
A modular vertical flight plan system that separates rules and criteria from the core performance prediction function, allowing for easy modification and inclusion of new trajectories by specifying initiation and termination conditions for aircraft operation, such as cruise-climb, noise abatement, and multiple climb/cruise/descent segments, using a rules-based approach.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional FMS uses fixed sequence flight phases for vertical flight planning, then the system structure is simple and easy to implement, but the system lacks flexibility and cannot support user-defined trajectories or evolving regulations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vertical flight plan into discrete, independently definable phases (climb, cruise, descent, approach) that can be arranged in flexible sequences. Each phase is defined by specific parameters and constraints, allowing the system to support multiple trajectory types without requiring complete system redesign. This segmentation enables the FMS to handle both traditional fixed sequences and user-defined custom trajectories.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic phase transition logic that allows flight phases to transition based on multiple criteria including altitude, time, distance, and user-defined conditions. This dynamic approach replaces rigid fixed sequences with flexible transition rules, enabling the system to adapt to different trajectory requirements while maintaining a manageable system structure through standardized phase definitions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional FMS allows modification of vertical flight plan structure, then the system can support new trajectory types, but modification requires pulling apart and modifying all performance prediction logic which is time consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates performance prediction logic into phase-specific modules that can be independently modified. Each flight phase has its own prediction routines and parameters, allowing developers to update or add trajectory types by modifying only the relevant phase modules rather than rewriting the entire performance prediction system. This modular architecture significantly reduces modification time and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal phase definition framework that can accommodate multiple trajectory types through standardized phase parameters and transition rules. The same core performance prediction engine supports both traditional fixed sequences and user-defined custom trajectories by applying different phase configurations, eliminating the need for separate prediction logic for each trajectory type and reducing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional FMS uses fixed flight phases with preset parameters, then the performance prediction function is straightforward to implement, but the system cannot support evolving ATC regulations and user-preferred options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic phase parameter adjustment capabilities that allow flight phases to adapt to evolving regulations and user preferences. Phase parameters such as altitude constraints, speed limits, and transition criteria can be dynamically modified through software updates without changing the underlying system architecture. This maintains ease of implementation while providing flexibility to support new trajectory types and regulatory requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a phase definition layer that acts as an intermediary between the core performance prediction engine and the varying regulatory/user requirements. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of evolving regulations through standardized phase configurations and transition rules, allowing the core system to remain simple and easy to implement while the intermediary adapts to new requirements through configuration changes rather than code modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for performing performance prediction with respect to a vertical flight plan. A system performs performance prediction with respect to a vertical flight plan of an aircraft that includes determining which vertical flight plan rules of a plurality of vertical flight rules that have been loaded in a predictions processor are active by monitoring for criteria that are used to initiate or terminate one or more of the vertical flight plan rules. Aircraft state is predicted at waypoints along a lateral flight path in view of active vertical flight plan rules, and the predicted aircraft state is updated within an integrated flight plan database that stores prediction performance data associated with the aircraft's flight.