Method and system of controlling air traffic
First Claim
1. A method of controlling air traffic, comprising the steps of:
- a ground based computing system receiving an aircraft trajectory data that defines a planned flight trajectory for each of a plurality of aircraft, from an on-board flight management system (FMS) of a respective aircraft, the ground based computing system utilizing the aircraft trajectory data to establish a required time of arrival (RTA) at a destination for each of the aircraft, the RTA being established for each of the aircraft to arrive at the destination in a desired sequence, the ground based computing system, assessing an aircraft intent during flight of each of the aircraft to estimate compliance with the RTA, the aircraft intent assessment comprising obtaining an aircraft performance data from the flight management system (FMS) of each of the respective aircraft and synthesizing the obtained aircraft performance data with aircraft trajectory data based on an observation of the respective aircraft and data from a physical environment, to obtain an estimated trajectory of the respective aircraft; and
the ground based computing system adjusting the desired sequence, if it is found that any of the respective aircraft are not complying with the RTA.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method and system for controlling air traffic. The method and system utilizes aircraft performance data, provided either by an FMS of a capable aircraft or generated by a model based on knowledge of the aircraft, to provide an accurate prediction of aircraft intent so that an accurate estimated time of arrival can be generated. The estimated time of arrival is then used to provide a required time of arrival (RTA) for the aircraft. The RTAs for the aircraft are provided for the aircraft to arrive at a destination, such as an Outer Fix Point, in a desired sequence. The desired sequence is arranged to provide intervals between the aircraft such that they may be able to land at the destination airport without requiring holding and vectoring from top of descent.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method of controlling air traffic, comprising the steps of:
- a ground based computing system receiving an aircraft trajectory data that defines a planned flight trajectory for each of a plurality of aircraft, from an on-board flight management system (FMS) of a respective aircraft, the ground based computing system utilizing the aircraft trajectory data to establish a required time of arrival (RTA) at a destination for each of the aircraft, the RTA being established for each of the aircraft to arrive at the destination in a desired sequence, the ground based computing system, assessing an aircraft intent during flight of each of the aircraft to estimate compliance with the RTA, the aircraft intent assessment comprising obtaining an aircraft performance data from the flight management system (FMS) of each of the respective aircraft and synthesizing the obtained aircraft performance data with aircraft trajectory data based on an observation of the respective aircraft and data from a physical environment, to obtain an estimated trajectory of the respective aircraft; and
the ground based computing system adjusting the desired sequence, if it is found that any of the respective aircraft are not complying with the RTA. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- a ground based computing system receiving an aircraft trajectory data that defines a planned flight trajectory for each of a plurality of aircraft, from an on-board flight management system (FMS) of a respective aircraft, the ground based computing system utilizing the aircraft trajectory data to establish a required time of arrival (RTA) at a destination for each of the aircraft, the RTA being established for each of the aircraft to arrive at the destination in a desired sequence, the ground based computing system, assessing an aircraft intent during flight of each of the aircraft to estimate compliance with the RTA, the aircraft intent assessment comprising obtaining an aircraft performance data from the flight management system (FMS) of each of the respective aircraft and synthesizing the obtained aircraft performance data with aircraft trajectory data based on an observation of the respective aircraft and data from a physical environment, to obtain an estimated trajectory of the respective aircraft; and
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18. A system for controlling air traffic, comprising:
- a ground based computing system arranged to receive an aircraft trajectory data that defines a planned flight trajectory for each of a plurality of aircraft from an on-board flight management system (FMS) of a respective aircraft, the ground based computing system being arranged to utilize the aircraft trajectory data to establish a required time of arrival (RTAs) at a destination for each of the aircraft, the RTAs being established for each aircraft to arrive at the destination in a desired sequence with respect to each other, the ground based computing system being arranged to assess an aircraft intent during flight of each of the aircraft to determine compliance with the RTA, the aircraft intent assessment comprising obtaining an aircraft performance data from the on-board flight management system (FMS) of each of the respective aircraft and synthesizing the obtained aircraft performance data with an aircraft data based on an observation of the respective aircraft and data from a physical environment, to obtain an estimated trajectory of the respective aircraft, the ground based computing system being arranged to adjust the RTA or adjust the desired sequence, if it is found that any of the respective aircraft are not complying with the RTA.
- View Dependent Claims (19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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20. A system in accordance with 18, wherein aircraft performance data comprises one or more of aircraft type, aircraft velocity, aircraft trajectory, aircraft positioning, aircraft speed capability, aircraft altitude capability.
Specification