Flight Trajectory Command Scheduling for Digital ATC Uplinks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air traffic control systems face challenges in managing the increasing congestion of unmanned and manned aircraft in shared airspace, particularly due to the limitations of legacy voice communication networks and the need for automated digital flight trajectory management to reduce operator workload.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that provides air traffic control flight trajectory profile instructions to aircraft through controlled airspace by obtaining and processing aircraft location, flight level, and intended route data, determining trajectory profiles, and transmitting corrected trajectory commands using Future Air Navigation System (FANS) CPDLC messages, enabling accurate and timely uplinking of commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If legacy voice communication networks are used for ATC clearances, then existing infrastructure can be maintained, but communication performance reaches limits and cannot accommodate new vehicle types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces legacy voice communication networks with digital data link communication systems. This substitution enables new vehicle types to be accommodated by using modern digital communication protocols (such as CPDLC and FANS 1/A) that provide superior reliability and performance compared to analog voice systems, while maintaining compatibility with existing ATC infrastructure through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from voice-based communication parameters to digital data link parameters, including structured message formats, automated parsing protocols, and digital signal transmission. This parameter change enables enhanced communication performance and accommodates new vehicle types by utilizing modern communication standards with higher data rates and improved reliability.
2Ease of operation
If manual monitoring of aircraft with reference to active flight clearance is used, then operator control is maintained, but workload increases particularly when managing multiple vehicles simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated systems that perform flight clearance monitoring and trajectory command management without requiring continuous manual operator intervention. The system automatically parses digital ATC clearances, computes 4D trajectory profiles, schedules command uplinks, and monitors compliance, thereby reducing operator workload while maintaining control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary computation of trajectory profiles and command scheduling before execution. The system pre-computes 4D trajectory profiles based on ATC clearances and vehicle capabilities, and pre-schedules command uplink timings, allowing operators to review and approve rather than manually manage each step, thus reducing workload while maintaining oversight.
3Ease of manufacture
If flight trajectories are computed with loose timing, then computational simplicity is maintained, but timing accuracy deteriorates affecting command execution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor actual vehicle positions and compare them with predicted trajectory profiles. The system uses this feedback to dynamically adjust command uplink timings, ensuring accurate timing despite variations in vehicle performance or environmental conditions, while maintaining computational efficiency through iterative refinement rather than complex pre-computation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static, pre-computed timing schedules to dynamic timing adjustment based on real-time vehicle state. The system continuously updates command timings based on actual vehicle position, speed, and trajectory deviations, achieving high timing accuracy through adaptive recalculation rather than rigid pre-planning, thus balancing computational simplicity with precision.
4Productivity
If digital flight plan and communication systems are implemented, then communication efficiency improves, but system complexity increases requiring automated automation tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal automated system that handles multiple functions including digital clearance parsing, trajectory computation, command scheduling, and timing adjustment through a single integrated platform. This multi-functional approach improves communication efficiency by automating all digital processes while managing system complexity through consolidation rather than proliferation of separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the complex digital flight management system into distinct functional modules: clearance parsing module, trajectory profile computation module, command uplink scheduling module, and timing adjustment module. This segmentation improves communication efficiency by enabling specialized processing in each module while managing overall system complexity through modular architecture that allows independent development and testing of each component.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method, a computer system, and a non-transitory computer readable medium is disclosed for following air traffic control (ATC) flight trajectory profile instructions in the form of datalink commands to a flight management system (FMS) of a unmanned aircraft (UA) or a manned aircraft for ATC approved flight through controlled airspace along a mission of a vehicle of the UA or the manned aircraft.