Supersonic Flight Route Planning for Sonic Boom Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Supersonic flight of civilian aircraft is restricted due to noise concerns and the need to avoid sonic booms, which complicates route planning and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Innovation Solution
An automatic route planning system that generates and displays route plans to minimize sonic booms over populated areas and restricted zones, allowing operators to adjust altitude and route in real-time to comply with regulations and avoid adverse weather conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If supersonic flight is permitted, then flight speed and efficiency are improved, but noise and sonic booms over populated areas increase causing harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary route planning that identifies and avoids populated areas and restricted zones before flight commences. By pre-calculating flight paths that steer clear of sensitive areas, the system prevents sonic booms from affecting populated regions while maintaining supersonic flight capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The route planning system dynamically adjusts flight parameters including altitude, speed, and trajectory in real-time based on weather conditions, atmospheric density, and geographic constraints. This dynamic adjustment allows the vehicle to maintain supersonic flight while adapting to conditions that minimize sonic boom impact and avoid restricted zones.
2Reliability
If route plans are generated to avoid populated areas, then compliance with regulations is improved, but flight path options and operational flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the vertical dimension by adjusting flight altitude to navigate around restricted zones and populated areas rather than being constrained to two-dimensional horizontal routing. By incorporating altitude variations, the system maintains compliance with regulations while preserving multiple flight path options and operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple flight parameters simultaneously including altitude, Mach number, and lateral position to achieve regulatory compliance. By varying these parameters dynamically, the system can comply with restrictions while maintaining diverse flight path options and adapting to changing conditions.
3Reliability
If real-time parameter adjustments are made, then compliance with restrictions is improved, but system complexity and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The route planning system operates autonomously, automatically generating and adjusting flight routes without requiring continuous manual intervention. The system self-manages compliance with restrictions by incorporating regulatory constraints into its routing algorithms and automatically adapting flight parameters to maintain compliance, thereby reducing operational burden despite the complexity of real-time adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback loops that continuously monitor flight parameters, weather conditions, and regulatory constraints, automatically adjusting the route plan in response to changing conditions. This closed-loop control ensures compliance with restrictions while managing system complexity through automated decision-making rather than manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a first route plan having a starting point and an ending point may be generated, wherein the first route plan is based on at least one parameter and wherein the first route plan is configured to cause the vehicle to generate an overpressure event over areas where it is undesirable to have the environmental impact of the overpressure event. An operator input may then be received to change at least one operating parameter of the vehicle, and a second route plan may be generated based, at least in part, on inputs. The first route plan and the second route plan may be displayed on a display. Upon receiving inputs to select a route plan displayed on the display, actuator instructions are generated to control the vehicle to follow the selected route plan.