Automated Separation Manager for Airspace Conflict Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional airspace management methods are inflexible and struggle to handle large-scale disruptions, leading to unnecessary airspace closures and inefficiencies, especially in high-density environments with manned and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Innovation Solution
A network-centric system that uses time-referenced position and state data to calculate probabilistic position zones for aircraft, allowing for real-time rerouting and conflict monitoring through a virtual predictive radar, enabling safe separation and flexible route management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional structured airspace routing plans are used, then safety is maintained through rigid procedures, but flexibility is reduced and large-scale disruptions cannot be handled effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic routing that adapts to changing conditions in real-time. Instead of rigid pre-planned structures, the system continuously recalculates trajectories based on current aircraft positions, weather, and disruptions, allowing the routing plan to be both safe and flexible simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters such as trajectory, speed, and altitude dynamically rather than following fixed parameters. This allows the airspace management system to maintain safety through continuous monitoring while adapting to disruptions by modifying flight parameters in real-time
2Reliability
If preplanned structured routes are implemented, then initial safety is ensured, but airspace density must be reduced when disruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
When disruptions occur, the system dynamically changes trajectory parameters and routing options for affected aircraft rather than clearing entire airspace regions. This allows maintenance of high aircraft density while ensuring safety through real-time parameter adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the airspace into multiple routing options and corridors, allowing aircraft to be redistributed across different segments when disruptions occur. This maintains overall high density while providing flexible rerouting capabilities
3Productivity
If reactive collision avoidance is used, then immediate conflicts are resolved, but effectiveness is reduced in shared airspace with UAVs and during large-scale disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary conflict detection and resolution planning before actual conflicts occur. By continuously monitoring predicted trajectories and identifying potential conflicts in advance, the system can proactively adjust routing to prevent conflicts rather than reactively responding to them
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where aircraft positions, trajectories, and conflict potentials are constantly monitored and fed back into the routing algorithm. This enables real-time adjustments that maintain high effectiveness in conflict avoidance for both manned and unmanned aircraft
Data Source
AI summary
A separation management system includes a data input module for receiving and filtering aircraft information and airspace information related to a control aircraft and a relevant aircraft, the aircraft information enabling the calculation of a trajectory window for each aircraft. A conflict monitoring module may be included in the system for monitoring the trajectory window for each aircraft with respect to time and probabilistic location, the conflict monitoring module determining when a trajectory overlap occurs resulting from the intersection of the trajectory window for the control aircraft and the relevant aircraft. In addition, the system may include a separation routing module for rerouting the control aircraft when a trajectory overlap for the control aircraft is detected by the conflict monitoring module.