Midair collision and avoidance system (MCAS)
First Claim
1. A traffic alert and collision avoidance system, the system comprising:
- data link transponder means, said transponder means generating and transmitting broadcast data, the broadcast data comprising aircraft position information of a host vehicle; and
traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) computer means, in communication with said transponder means, for receiving and processing broadcast data from said data link transponder means, the TCAS comprising;
air traffic management (ATM) means for monitoring and tracking objects external to the host vehicle; and
tactical-based management means, in communication with ATM means, for monitoring and tracking tactical objects external to the host vehicle.
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Abstract
A midair collision avoidance system (MCAS) employs an existing design of Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) as a module and seamlessly integrates it with a customized tactical module which is capable of providing unique tactical avoidance guidance control and display. The tactical module handles all phases of a tactical mission, including formation flight (e.g., formation fall-in, arming formation flight, engaging formation flight following, and formation break-away), and an air-refueling sequence (e.g., rendezvous, link-up, re-fueling, and disengaging air-refueling). The tactical module divides the air space around the aircraft into advisory, caution, and warning zones and for each provides display, tone and voice alerts to facilitate pop-up avoidance guidance commands. Military aircraft can thus effectively avoid mid air and near mid air collision situations in all three different operation modes: air traffic control (ATC) management mode, tactical mode, and a mixed mode.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A traffic alert and collision avoidance system, the system comprising:
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data link transponder means, said transponder means generating and transmitting broadcast data, the broadcast data comprising aircraft position information of a host vehicle; and
traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) computer means, in communication with said transponder means, for receiving and processing broadcast data from said data link transponder means, the TCAS comprising;
air traffic management (ATM) means for monitoring and tracking objects external to the host vehicle; and
tactical-based management means, in communication with ATM means, for monitoring and tracking tactical objects external to the host vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
MCAS mode logic;
tactical communication protocol;
tactical communication user interfaces;
track file correlation;
blending sensor data;
tactical resolution advisory means;
tactical traffic advisory means;
formation flight handling means;
rendezvous handling means;
air refueling handling means; and
radio frequency power and transmission schedule management means.
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13. The system of claim 12, wherein the formation flight handling means provides logic handling capability to set the conditions for break-away-from-formation flight.
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14. The system of claim 12, wherein the tactical traffic advisory means generates the guidance and situational awareness display commands following break-away-from-formation flight for advising the operator of the host vehicle.
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15. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is capable of operating in a minimum operating capacity.
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16. The system of claim 12, wherein the radio frequency power and transmission schedule management means is capable of modulating the power level based on operating environment and scheduling management to allow the tactical datalink to transmit, receive, and re-transmit data.
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17. The system of claim 3, wherein the datalink system is capable of serving as a complimentary/backup system for the transponder means in the event the transponder means fails or operates less than optimally.
Specification