Constraint processing as an alternative to flight management systems
First Claim
1. A constraint processor for providing trajectory planning for an aircraft in flight to an end location, the constraint processor positioned onboard the aircraft, the constraint processor comprising:
- a data interface configured for receiving a set of constraints during the flight of the aircraft, the set of constraints including at least one of;
a time-based constraint, a cost-based constraint, a location-based constraint, a weather-based constraint, a terrain-based constraint, a traffic-based constraint, or a performance constraint, wherein each particular constraint of the set of constraints includes;
an error attribute specifying a likelihood of errors associated with said particular constraint and an aging attribute specifying an expiration time of said particular constraint; and
a processing module communicatively connected with the data interface, the processing module configured for;
assigning to each particular constraint of the set of constraints an importance level based on at least the error attribute and the aging attribute of said particular constraint, wherein a relatively lower likelihood of errors associated with said particular constraint and a relatively longer time remaining till the expiration time of said particular constraint correspond to a relatively higher importance level assignment of said particular constraint;
analyzing the set of constraints to determine an optimal trajectory between a current location of the aircraft and the end location, the optimal trajectory is determined based on compliance with the set of constraints, wherein when the set of constraints cannot be satisfied simultaneously, a trajectory that satisfies a maximum number of relatively higher importance level constraints in the set of constraints is deemed the optimal trajectory; and
dynamically adjusting the flight of the aircraft based on the optimal trajectory.
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Abstract
A method for providing trajectory planning for an aircraft based on constraint processing is disclosed. The method may be performed utilizing a computer or processor onboard the aircraft that is en route, through all phases of flight, to an end location. The trajectory planning method may comprise receiving a set of constraints during the flight of the aircraft; analyzing the set of constraints to determine an optimal trajectory between a current location of the aircraft and the end location, the optimal trajectory is determined based on compliance with the set of constraints; and dynamically adjusting the flight of the aircraft based on the optimal trajectory.
22 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A constraint processor for providing trajectory planning for an aircraft in flight to an end location, the constraint processor positioned onboard the aircraft, the constraint processor comprising:
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a data interface configured for receiving a set of constraints during the flight of the aircraft, the set of constraints including at least one of;
a time-based constraint, a cost-based constraint, a location-based constraint, a weather-based constraint, a terrain-based constraint, a traffic-based constraint, or a performance constraint, wherein each particular constraint of the set of constraints includes;
an error attribute specifying a likelihood of errors associated with said particular constraint and an aging attribute specifying an expiration time of said particular constraint; anda processing module communicatively connected with the data interface, the processing module configured for; assigning to each particular constraint of the set of constraints an importance level based on at least the error attribute and the aging attribute of said particular constraint, wherein a relatively lower likelihood of errors associated with said particular constraint and a relatively longer time remaining till the expiration time of said particular constraint correspond to a relatively higher importance level assignment of said particular constraint; analyzing the set of constraints to determine an optimal trajectory between a current location of the aircraft and the end location, the optimal trajectory is determined based on compliance with the set of constraints, wherein when the set of constraints cannot be satisfied simultaneously, a trajectory that satisfies a maximum number of relatively higher importance level constraints in the set of constraints is deemed the optimal trajectory; and dynamically adjusting the flight of the aircraft based on the optimal trajectory. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 10)
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2. A trajectory planning method for an aircraft in flight to an end location, the method being performed utilizing a computer or processor onboard the aircraft, the method comprising:
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receiving a set of constraints during the flight of the aircraft, the set of constraints including at least one of;
a time-based constraint, a cost-based constraint, a location-based constraint, a weather-based constraint, a terrain-based constraint, a traffic-based constraint, or a performance constraint, wherein each particular constraint of the set of constraints includes;
an error attribute specifying a likelihood of errors associated with said particular constraint and an aging attribute specifying an expiration time of said particular constraint;assigning to each particular constraint of the set of constraints an importance level based on at least the error attribute and the aging attribute of said particular constraint, wherein a relatively lower likelihood of errors associated with said particular constraint and a relatively longer time remaining till the expiration time of said particular constraint correspond to a relatively higher importance level assignment of said particular constraint; analyzing the set of constraints to determine an optimal trajectory between a current location of the aircraft and the end location, the optimal trajectory is determined based on compliance with the set of constraints, wherein when the set of constraints cannot be satisfied simultaneously, a trajectory that satisfies a maximum number of relatively higher importance level constraints in the set of constraints is deemed the optimal trajectory; and dynamically adjusting the flight of the aircraft based on the optimal trajectory. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 8, 9)
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Specification