Vertical Situation Display for CDTI Visual Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Cockpit Display of Traffic Information (CDTI) systems for assisted visual separation in aircraft lack effective presentation of vertical visual approach information, particularly in low visibility conditions, where pilots rely on top-down views that omit or inadequately convey relevant vertical data such as distance and descent rates.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a Vertical Situation Display (VSD) with a control module that processes traffic data from Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) to provide a comprehensive visual representation, including a lateral and vertical image display, allowing pilots to select and distinguish user-defined traffic and set visual range distances, enhancing separation awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a top-down lateral display is used for CDTI assisted visual separation, then the system can display traffic information, but vertical visual approach information is omitted or inadequately conveyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the display by implementing a Vertical Situation Display (VSD) that shows altitude, vertical separation, and descent rate information. This transforms the conventional two-dimensional lateral display into a three-dimensional situational awareness tool, allowing pilots to visualize vertical approach parameters without adding complex external equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the lateral traffic information display with vertical situation display into a single integrated CDTI system. By combining these functions in one display unit, the system provides comprehensive visual approach information (both lateral and vertical) without requiring separate display devices, thus avoiding increased device complexity.
2Loss of information
If a vertical display is added to provide vertical separation information, then vertical visual approach information is effectively conveyed, but the display system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Vertical Situation Display is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it displays vertical separation distances, descent rates, altitude information, and target aircraft identification. This multi-functionality allows the system to convey comprehensive vertical approach information without requiring separate specialized displays for each parameter, thereby avoiding excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system segments information presentation by dedicating specific visual elements within the VSD to different parameters (e.g., separate indicators for vertical separation, descent rate, and altitude). This segmentation organizes complex vertical approach data into distinct, easily interpretable components, reducing the cognitive load on pilots while maintaining comprehensive information display.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods directed to improvements in the presentation of CAVS procedures on an aircraft display system over what is conventionally available are provided. The provided systems and methods employ a vertical situation display (VSD), thereby presenting additional relevant visual approach information, such as a vertical distance between the ownship and the target aircraft, descent rates of the ownship and the target and an alerting function for the user-selected CAVS range. The provided systems and methods also capably receive and process user selections of target aircraft from both the lateral display and the VSD.