Method and system for resolving traffic conflicts in take-off and landing

• US 20100004800A1
• Filed: 06/19/2009
• Published: 01/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: University of Malta
• Original Assignee: University of Malta
• Inventors: Zammit-Mangion, David, Zammit, Brian, Sammut, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US12/487,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20100004800A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0065 for taking-off
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/025 Navigation or guidance aids radar or analogous systems specially adapted for landing purposes G01S13/913
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/045 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. determination of anti-collision manoeuvers radar or analogous systems specially adapted for anti-collision between aircraft G01S13/933
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/065 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. for taxiing or rolling

Abstract

A method and system for resolving existing and potential traffic conflicts that may occur during take-off and landing in aviation that includes means of monitoring movements on the runway, its approaches and environs to determine whether a conflict or potential conflict exists, means to resolve a conflict and to generate an output pertaining to this resolution.

Claims

1. A method of detecting or monitoring the presence of traffic or obstacles in the vicinity of an aircraft or its intended path during the approach to a runway, landing or take-off, that determines whether a conflict or potential conflict exists, that determines a manoeuvre that will successfully resolve the conflict and generates an output pertaining to the determined manoeuvre.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the conflict geometry and dynamics are used to determine the manoeuvre to resolve the conflict or potential conflict.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the performance of the aircraft is used to determine the manoeuvre to resolve the conflict or potential conflict.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein scheduled performance data is used to determine the manoeuvre to resolve the conflict or potential conflict.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a directive aural alert or instruction is generated.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the alert directs the pilot to perform a go-around during landing, to stop during take-off, or to stop during taxi as the aircraft approaches a runway.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the aircraft is triggered to automatically execute the intended manoeuvre.

8. The method of claim 1, further including the generation of aural alerts pertaining to the distance to the conflict.

9. The method of claim 1, further including the generation of an aural alert advising the pilot that the conflict is resolved when the conflict is resolved.

10. The method of claim 1, further including the storage and retrieval of runway and airport survey data.

11. The method of claim 1, further including the graphical display of the aircraft'"'"'s position with respect to the runway or other geographical points on the airfield.

12. The method of claim 11, further including the graphical display of other traffic in relation to geographic points on the airfield and in relation to the aircraft.

13. The method of claim 1, further including communication means with other aircraft, vehicles or entities to enable the coordination of a conflict resolution manoeuvre.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein information pertaining to the detected conflict is transmitted.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein a conflict is resolved in coordination with the conflict traffic or entity.

16. A system for detecting or monitoring the presence of traffic or obstacles in the vicinity of an aircraft or its intended path during the approach to a runway, landing or take-off, that determines whether a conflict or potential conflict exists, that determines a manoeuvre that will successfully resolve the conflict and generates an output pertaining to the determined manoeuvre, the system including data acquisition means, a data processing device and an output device to generate an output pertaining to the determined manoeuvre.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the output device includes an audio device.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the output device includes a display device.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the output device is electrically connected to the aircraft'"'"'s guidance system.

20. The system of claim 16, including a data storage device for storing and retrieving runway and airport survey data.

21. The system of claim 16, including a wireless datalink device for communicating with other aircraft, vehicles or entities.