Required time of arrival (RTA) control system
First Claim
1. In an aircraft having flight management processing means responsive to input data signals representative of a flight plan, aircraft limits and predicted atmospheric conditions, and further responsive to a cost index parameter indicative of a cost relationship between flight time and fuel consumption for the aircraft, wherein said flight management processing means is adapted to generate predicted flight profile data, including target aircraft speeds and estimated times of arrival, the improvement comprising a required time of arrival (RTA) control system for rapidly determining adjustments in airspeed required to meet a desired crossing time at a selected waypoint, the required time of arrival control system comprising:
- input means for receiving data signals representative of a required time of arrival corresponding to said desired crossing time at said selected waypoint;
cost index processing means responsive to said data signals representative of said required time of arrival for determining an estimated cost index parameter comprising an estimate of said cost index parameter, which will provide a flight time substantially corresponding to said required time of arrival, said cost index processing means comprising means for computing said estimated cost index parameter on the basis that the distance travelled between a current position and said selected waypoint is substantially independent of said cost index parameter; and
means responsive to said data signals representative of said estimated cost index parameter for generating data signals representative of a target airspeed required to meet said flight time substantially corresponding to said required time of arrival.
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Abstract
A required time of arrival (RTA) control system (200, 220, 240) is disclosed for use with an aircraft on-board computer system (100). The control system (200, 220, 240) is adapted to provide data for controlling aircraft flight in a manner so as to meet time of arrival constraints at selected waypoints. The control system (200, 220, 240) includes means (212) for determining a time error between an estimated time of arrival and a designated RTA. A cost index predictor (216) is utilized to determine an estimated cost index parameter for meeting time of arrival constraints, while maintaining relative minimum fuel consumption. A flight profile predictor (202) is adapted to generate requisite target air speed data based on the estimated cost index parameter. In one embodiment, the system (240) includes determination of a time window based on maximum and minimum permissible cost index and speed limiting parameters. Dead-band control of the time error is also provided for maintaining stability and reducing throttle activity.
196 Citations
28 Claims
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1. In an aircraft having flight management processing means responsive to input data signals representative of a flight plan, aircraft limits and predicted atmospheric conditions, and further responsive to a cost index parameter indicative of a cost relationship between flight time and fuel consumption for the aircraft, wherein said flight management processing means is adapted to generate predicted flight profile data, including target aircraft speeds and estimated times of arrival, the improvement comprising a required time of arrival (RTA) control system for rapidly determining adjustments in airspeed required to meet a desired crossing time at a selected waypoint, the required time of arrival control system comprising:
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input means for receiving data signals representative of a required time of arrival corresponding to said desired crossing time at said selected waypoint; cost index processing means responsive to said data signals representative of said required time of arrival for determining an estimated cost index parameter comprising an estimate of said cost index parameter, which will provide a flight time substantially corresponding to said required time of arrival, said cost index processing means comprising means for computing said estimated cost index parameter on the basis that the distance travelled between a current position and said selected waypoint is substantially independent of said cost index parameter; and means responsive to said data signals representative of said estimated cost index parameter for generating data signals representative of a target airspeed required to meet said flight time substantially corresponding to said required time of arrival. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A required time of arrival (RTA) control system for use in an aircraft having a flight management system comprising processing means responsive to input data signals representative of a flight plan, aircraft limits and predicted atmospheric conditions, and further responsive to a cost index parameter indicative of a cost relationship between flight time and fuel consumption for the aircraft, said processing means being adapted to generate predicted flight profile data, including target aircraft speeds and estimated times of arrival, said required time of arrival control system being adapted for rapidly determining adjustments in airspeed required to meet a desired crossing time at a selected waypoint, said required time of arrival control system comprising:
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input means for receiving data signals representative of navigational coordinates of said selected waypoint; input means for receiving data signals representative of a required time of arrival corresponding to said desired crossing time at said selected waypoint; processing means responsive to data signals representative of a minimum permissible cost index parameter and said navigational coordinates of said selected waypoint for generating data signals representative of a latest time of arrival at said selected waypoint; processing means responsive to data signals representative of a maximum permissible cost index parameter and said navigational coordinates of said selected waypoint for generating data signals representative of an earliest time of arrival at said selected waypoint; cost index processing means responsive to said data signals representative of said required time of arrival for determining an estimated cost index parameter which will provide a flight time substantially corresponding to said required time of arrival, said cost index processing means comprising means for computing said estimated cost index parameter on the basis that the distance travelled between a current position and said selected waypoint is substantially independent of said cost index parameter; said cost index processing means being further responsive to said data signals representative of said minimum and maximum cost index parameters so as to determine said estimated cost index parameter only within boundaries formed by said minimum and maximum cost index parameter; means for comparing data signals representative of said required time of arrival with data signals representative of said earliest estimated time of arrival and said latest estimated time of arrival means for inhibiting operation of said cost index processing means in the event that said required time of arrival is outside of boundaries formed by said earliest and latest estimated times of arrival; and means responsive to said data signals representative of said estimated cost index parameter for generating data signals representative of a target airspeed required to meet said flight time substantially corresponding to said required time of arrival. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. In an aircraft having flight management processing means responsive to input data signals representative of a flight plan, aircraft limits and predicted atmospheric conditions, and further responsive to a cost index parameter indicative of a cost relationship between flight time and fuel consumption for the aircraft, wherein said flight management processing means is adapted to generate predicted flight profile data, including target aircraft speeds and estimated times of arrival, the improvement comprising a method for rapidly determining adjustments in airspeed required to meet a desired crossing time at a selected waypoint, said method comprising:
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receiving data signals representative of a required time of arrival corresponding to said desired crossing time at said selected waypoint; determining an estimated cost index parameter, based in part on said data signals representative of said required time of arrival, wherein said estimated cost index parameter will provide a flight time substantially corresponding to said required time of arrival; determining said estimated cost index parameter on the basis that the distance travelled between a current position and said selected waypoint is substantially independent of said cost index parameter; and generating data signals representative of a target airspeed required to meet said flight time substantially corresponding to said required time of arrival. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification