Lateral Shifting Circular Segments Flight Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Flight Management Systems (FMS) cannot perform lateral shifting of circular segments in flight plans, particularly those with performance constraints like Required Navigation Performance (RNP), and are not compatible with future functionalities such as relative positioning between aircraft, as existing methods do not support shifting of RF and AF segments.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for determining a shifted circular segment by shifting the final point of the initial circular segment using a straight line passing through its center and final point, and constructing a new circular segment between the shifted final points, with adjustments for intermediate points, radii, and centers based on shift direction and sense of rotation, allowing for shifting by a specified distance and direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing lateral shifting methods are used for deterministic segments (TF, CF, FM, DF), then the shifting computation is simple and straightforward, but the method cannot be applied to circular segments (RF, AF) which are required for performance-constrained flight plans
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the shifting computation into distinct segments based on segment type. Deterministic segments (TF, CF, FM, DF) use the simple existing method, while circular segments (RF, AF) use the new method involving straight line determination through the center and final point. This segmentation allows each segment type to be processed with the most appropriate algorithm.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary straight line that passes through the center and final point of circular segments. This straight line serves as a mediator to determine the shifted final point, bridging the gap between the original circular segment geometry and the desired shifted position, enabling the extension of lateral shifting to circular segment types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If lateral shifting is implemented for all segment types including circular segments, then future functionalities like relative positioning between aircraft become compatible, but the computational complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a dynamic computation approach that adapts the shifting method based on the segment type being processed. The system automatically selects between the simple deterministic segment method and the more complex circular segment method, optimizing computation efficiency for each case while maintaining overall versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the computational parameters and approach based on segment type characteristics. For circular segments, it uses parameters specific to circular geometry (center point, radius, aperture limits) rather than the parameters used for deterministic segments, allowing accurate shifting while managing computational complexity through parameter specialization.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for determining a shifted circular segment on the basis of an initial circular segment, the shifted circular segment being shifted by a shift distance, the method being implemented by a computer dedicated to flight management, comprises: determining a shifted final point terminating a shifted circular segment, on the basis of the final point terminating the initial circular segment, through a shift of the final point determined on the basis of the shift distance and in the direction of shift, through the use of a straight line passing through the center of the initial circular segment and the final point of the initial circular segment, and determining a shifted circular segment on the basis of the initial circular segment by construction of a circular segment between the shifted final point associated with the preceding shifted segment and the shifted final point associated with the shifted segment.