AIRPORT RUNWAY COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20060214816A1
• Filed: 03/23/2005
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Schell, Ethan T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,479,925 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/961
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/933 of aircraft or spacecraft
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/15 Aircraft landing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0008 with other aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0078 for monitoring traffic from the aircraft radar or analogous systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/065 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. for taxiing or rolling

Abstract

Systems and methods for avoiding runway collisions. In a disclosed embodiment of the invention, a collision avoidance system includes a position-sensing device that is operable to determine a position of the aircraft, and a communications system operable to support two-way communications between the aircraft and other similarly configured aircraft. A collision avoidance processor is coupled to the position-sensing device and the communications system that is configured to generate a message if the aircraft moves into a restricted zone positioned proximate to the airport.

Claims

1. A collision avoidance system for an aircraft, the system comprising:

a position-sensing device operable to determine a position of the aircraft;

a communications system operable to support two-way communications between the aircraft and other similarly configured aircraft; and

a collision avoidance processor in communication with the position-sensing device and the communications system, the processor being configured to generate a signal if the aircraft is positioned in a predefined restricted zone positioned proximate to the airport and transmit the generated signal to other similarly configured aircraft via the communications system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the position-sensing device comprises a global positioning system (GPS) receiver.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the position-sensing device is configured to receive navigational and flight plan data from a flight management computer (FMC).

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the position-sensing device comprises an altitude-sensing device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the altitude-sensing device comprises at least one of a pitot-static system and a radio altimeter system.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications system further comprises at least one of a very high frequency (VHF) transceiver, an ultra high frequency (UHF) transceiver and a microwave frequency (MF) transceiver.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a database coupled with the collision avoidance processor, the database configured to store selected airport information.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the selected airport information includes at least one of a description of a runway structure, a taxiway structure and an approach structure for a selected airport.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the selected airport information further includes a position of a hold location adjacent to the runway structure.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising an air-ground logic device coupled with the collision avoidance processor, the air-ground logic device being configured to determine an air-ground state for the aircraft.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the air-ground logic device comprises at least one of an air-ground logic system that is coupled to a landing gear system of the aircraft, and a radio altimeter system.

12. A method of collision avoidance for an aircraft, comprising

receiving position information for the aircraft;

determining if the aircraft is within a restricted zone proximate to an airport;

if the aircraft is within the restricted zone, transmitting signals to other vehicles within an airport area; and

monitoring for signals emitted from other vehicles configured to emit signals when positioned in the restricted zone.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving position information further comprises receiving position information from a global positioning system (GPS).

14. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving position information further comprises periodically updating the position of the aircraft relative to the airport area.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving position information further comprises determining an altitude for the aircraft.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein determining if the aircraft is within a restricted zone further comprises detecting if the aircraft is moved across one of a hold short line, a hold short approach line and an ILS hold line adjacent to a runway.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein determining if the aircraft is within a restricted zone further comprises detecting if the aircraft enters an approach zone proximate to the airport.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein determining if the aircraft is within a restricted zone further comprises detecting if the aircraft is on the ground.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein determining if the aircraft is within a restricted zone further comprises detecting at least one of a very high frequency (VHF) signal, an ultra high frequency (UHF) signal and a microwave frequency (MF) signal.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein monitoring for signals comprises generating an audible warning message if a signal emitted from another vehicle is received.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein monitoring for signals comprises generating a visual warning message if a signal emitted from another vehicle is received.