Dynamic wake prediction and visualization with uncertainty analysis
First Claim
1. A method for dynamic wake prediction and visualization comprising the steps of:
- obtaining aircraft data and atmospheric data continuously in essentially real time;
extracting parameters from said aircraft data and said atmospheric data;
determining a nominal wake model with said parameters;
analyzing said nominal wake model to determine uncertainty;
predicting a wake hazard zone with minimal uncertainty by adjusting sizes of said wake hazard zone in accordance with said analyzing step; and
visualizing a location of said wake hazard zone.
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Abstract
A dynamic wake avoidance system utilizes aircraft and atmospheric parameters readily available in flight to model and predict airborne wake vortices in real time. A novel combination of algorithms allows for a relatively simple yet robust wake model to be constructed based on information extracted from a broadcast. The system predicts the location and movement of the wake based on the nominal wake model and correspondingly performs an uncertainty analysis on the wake model to determine a wake hazard zone (no fly zone), which comprises a plurality of “wake planes,” each moving independently from another. The system selectively adjusts dimensions of each wake plane to minimize spatial and temporal uncertainty, thereby ensuring that the actual wake is within the wake hazard zone. The predicted wake hazard zone is communicated in real time directly to a user via a realistic visual representation. In an example, the wake hazard zone is visualized on a 3-D flight deck display to enable a pilot to visualize or “see” a neighboring aircraft as well as its wake. The system substantially enhances the pilot'"'"'s situational awareness and allows for a further safe decrease in spacing, which could alleviate airport and airspace congestion.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for dynamic wake prediction and visualization comprising the steps of:
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obtaining aircraft data and atmospheric data continuously in essentially real time;
extracting parameters from said aircraft data and said atmospheric data;
determining a nominal wake model with said parameters;
analyzing said nominal wake model to determine uncertainty;
predicting a wake hazard zone with minimal uncertainty by adjusting sizes of said wake hazard zone in accordance with said analyzing step; and
visualizing a location of said wake hazard zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A dynamic wake avoidance system comprising:
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wireless communication means for receiving aircraft data including identification, configuration, position, and weight, and atmospheric data including wind speed and air density;
processing means for extracting parameters from said aircraft data and said atmospheric data, for modeling a nominal wake vortex with said parameters, for analyzing said nominal wake model to determine uncertainty, and for determining a resulting wake hazard zone with minimal uncertainty; and
display means for visualizing a location of said wake hazard zone. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification