Method and apparatus for correlating flight identification data with secondary surveillance radar data

• US RE39,829 E1
• Filed: 12/24/2003
• Issued: 09/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SRA International, Inc. (General Dynamics Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Randolph Corporation
• Inventors: Smith, Alexander E., Cohen, Bennett, Evers, Carl
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, DAO LINDA
• Application Number:
  US10/744,898
• Time in Patent Office: 1,357 Days
• Field of Search: 342/29, 342/32, 342/33, 342/37, 342/387, 342/450, 342/454, 342/455, 342/456
• US Class Current: 342/387
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/916 Airport surface monitoring [ASDE]
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0081 Transmission between base stations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/10 Position of receiver fixed by co-ordinating a plurality of position lines defined by path-difference measurements , e.g. omega or decca systemsG01S5/12 takes precedence ; beacons and receivers cooperating therewith G01S1/306, G01S1/308
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0026 located on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0082 for monitoring traffic from a ground station radar or analogous systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91

Abstract

A system for correlating secondary surveillance radar (SSR) data and ACARS data which results in a real time correlation of data which are unique to the separate existing systems. More specifically, a method is provided to attach flight identification data from ACARS signals to real time SSR data from Mode S transponders. Aircraft Mode S addresses are decoded and then converted to aircraft registration numbers using an algorithm or lookup table. Registration numbers are then correlated with registration numbers from decoded ACARS signals. The result is a real-time system which may provide an aircraft'"'"'s registration information, including registration number, owner, make, and model, as well as its current flight identification number, and ACARS messages. As part of an aircraft multilateration system, the system provides an independent air traffic control picture complete with aircraft position and identification by flight number without the use of active radar equipment.

Claims

1. A method of generating aircraft position and identification information, comprising the steps of:

receiving, at a plurality of radio receivers, a first radio signal from an aircraft, the first radio signal including an address corresponding to aircraft identification;

generating, at each of the plurality of radio receivers, a time stamp indicating when the first radio signal is received at each of the plurality of radio receivers;

transmitting data contents of the radio signal and the time stamp to a central workstation;

generating aircraft position data by measuring differences in time of arrival of the first radio signal between at least two of the plurality of the radio receivers;

generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification;

receiving a second radio signal from the aircraft, the second radio signal containing aircraft identification information; and

correlating aircraft identification information from the second radio signal with aircraft identification information from the first radio signal to confirm identity of the aircraft.

2. A method of generating aircraft position and identification information, comprising the steps of:

receiving, at a plurality of radio receivers, a first radio signal from an aircraft, the first radio signal including an address corresponding to aircraft identification;

generating, at each of the plurality of radio receivers, a time stamp indicating when the first radio signal is received at each of the plurality of radio receivers;

transmitting data contents of the radio signal and the time stamp to a central workstation;

generating aircraft position data by measuring differences in time of arrival of the first radio signal between at least two of the plurality of the radio receivers; and

generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification,

wherein said step of generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification comprises the steps of;

determining whether the aircraft is domestic or foreign;

decoding, if the aircraft is determined to be domestic, using a predetermined algorithm, the aircraft registration number from the address; and

looking up, if the aircraft is determined to be foreign, the aircraft registration number from a database correlating foreign registration numbers and addresses.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification further comprises the steps of:

extracting, from a database, additional aircraft identification information stored in the database corresponding to aircraft registration number.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the additional information includes at least one of aircraft manufacturer, model number, airframe serial number, and aircraft ownership information.

5. The method of claim 4, further including the step of:

displaying aircraft identification and location information in a real-time air traffic display.

6. An apparatus for generating aircraft position and identification information, comprising:

a plurality of radio receivers for receiving a first radio signal from an aircraft, the first radio signal including an address corresponding to aircraft identification;

means, coupled to the plurality of radio receivers, for generating a time stamp indicating when the first radio signal is received at each of the plurality of radio receivers;

transmission means, for transmitting the radio signal and the time stamp to a central workstation;

a central workstation, coupled to the transmission means, for generating aircraft position data by measuring differences in time of arrival of the first radio signal between at least two of the plurality of the radio receivers;

means for generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification;

means for receiving a second radio signal from the aircraft, the second radio signal containing aircraft identification information; and

means for correlating aircraft identification information from the second radio signal with aircraft identification information from the first radio signal to confirm identity of the aircraft.

7. An apparatus for generating aircraft position and identification information, comprising:

a plurality of radio receivers for receiving a first radio signal from an aircraft, the first radio signal including an address corresponding to aircraft identification;

means, coupled to the plurality of radio receivers, for generating a time stamp indicating when the first radio signal is received at each of the plurality of radio receivers;

transmission means, for transmitting first the radio signal and the time stamp to a central workstation;

a central workstation, coupled to the transmission means, for generating aircraft position data by measuring differences in time of arrival of the radio signal between at least two of the plurality of the radio receivers; and

means for generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification,

wherein said means for generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification comprises;

means for determining whether the aircraft is domestic or foreign;

means for decoding, if the aircraft is determined to be domestic, using a predetermined algorithm, the aircraft registration number from the address; and

means for looking up, if the aircraft is determined to be foreign, the aircraft registration number from a database correlating foreign registration numbers and addresses.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said means for generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification further comprises:

means for extracting, from a database, additional aircraft identification information stored in the database corresponding to aircraft registration number.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the additional information includes at least one of aircraft manufacturer, model number, airframe serial number, and aircraft ownership information.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further including:

means for displaying aircraft identification and location information in a real-time air traffic display.

11. A method generating aircraft identification information, comprising the steps of:

receiving, from at least one radio receiver, a first radio signal from an aircraft, the first radio signal including an address corresponding to aircraft identification;

transmitting the radio signal to a central workstation; and

generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification;

receiving a second radio signal from the aircraft, the second radio signal containing aircraft identification information; and

correlating aircraft identification information from the second radio signal with aircraft identification information from the first radio signal to confirm identity of the aircraft.

12. A method of generating aircraft identification information, comprising the steps of:

receiving, from at least one radio receiver, a first radio signal from an aircraft, the first radio signal including an address corresponding to aircraft identification;

transmitting the radio signal to a central workstation; and

generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification,

wherein said step of generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification comprises the steps of;

determining whether the aircraft is domestic or foreign;

decoding, if the aircraft is determined to be domestic, using a predetermined algorithm, the aircraft registration number from the address; and

looking up, if the aircraft is determined to be foreign, the aircraft registration number from a database correlating foreign registration numbers and addresses.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said step of generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification further comprises the steps of:

extracting, from a database, additional aircraft identification information stored in the database corresponding to aircraft registration number.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the additional information includes at least one of aircraft manufacturer, model number, airframe serial number, and aircraft ownership information.

15. The method of claim 14, further including the step of:

displaying aircraft identification information in a real-time air traffic display.

16. An apparatus for generating aircraft position and identification information, comprising:

at least one radio receiver for receiving a first radio signal from an aircraft, the first radio signal including an address corresponding to aircraft identification;

transmission means, for transmitting the radio signal;

means, coupled to the transmission means, for generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification;

means for receiving a second radio signal from the aircraft, the second radio signal containing aircraft identification information; and

means for correlating aircraft identification information from the second radio signal with aircraft identification information from the first radio signal to confirm identity of the aircraft.

17. An apparatus for generating aircraft position and identification information, comprising:

at least one radio receiver for receiving a first radio signal from an aircraft, the first radio signal including an address corresponding to aircraft identification;

transmission means, for transmitting the radio signal; and

means, coupled to the transmission means, for generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification,

wherein said means for generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification comprises;

means for determining whether the aircraft is domestic or foreign;

means for decoding, if the aircraft is determined to be domestic, using a predetermined algorithm, the aircraft registration number from the address; and

means for looking up, if the aircraft is determined to be foreign, the aircraft registration number from a database correlating foreign registration numbers and addresses.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said means for generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification further comprises:

means for extracting, from a database, additional aircraft identification information stored in the database corresponding to aircraft registration number.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the additional information includes at least one of aircraft manufacturer, model number, airframe serial number, and aircraft ownership information.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further including:

means for displaying aircraft identification information in a real-time air traffic display.

21. A method of generating aircraft position and identification information, comprising the steps of:

receiving, at a plurality of receivers, a first signal from an aircraft, the first signal including an address corresponding to aircraft identification;

generating, at each of the plurality of receivers, a time stamp indicating when the first signal is received at each of the plurality of receivers;

transmitting data contents of the first signal and the time stamp to a central workstation;

generating aircraft position data by measuring differences in time of arrival of the first signal between at least two of the plurality of the receivers;

generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification;

receiving a second signal from the aircraft, the second signal containing aircraft identification information; and

correlating aircraft identification information from the second signal with aircraft identification information from the first signal to confirm identity of the aircraft.

22. A method of generating aircraft position and identification information, comprising the steps of:

receiving, at a plurality of radio receivers, a radio signal from an aircraft, the radio signal including an address corresponding to aircraft identification;

generating, at each of the plurality of radio receivers, a time stamp indicating when the radio signal is received at each of the plurality of radio receivers;

transmitting data contents of the radio signal and the time stamp to a central workstation;

generating aircraft position data by measuring differences in time of arrival of the radio signal between at least two of the plurality of the radio receivers; and

generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification,

wherein said step of generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification comprises the steps of;

looking up the aircraft registration number from a database correlating registration numbers and addresses.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said step of generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification further comprises the steps of:

extracting, from a database, additional aircraft identification information stored in the database corresponding to aircraft registration number.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the additional information includes at least one of aircraft manufacturer, model number, airframe serial number, and aircraft ownership information.

25. The method of claim 24, further including the step of:

displaying aircraft identification and location information in a real-time air traffic display.

26. An apparatus for generating aircraft position and identification information, comprising:

a plurality of receivers for receiving a first signal from an aircraft, the first signal including an address corresponding to aircraft identification;

means, coupled to the plurality of receivers, for generating a time stamp indicating when the first signal is received at each of the plurality of receivers;

transmission means, for transmitting the first signal and the time stamp to a central workstation;

a central workstation, coupled to the transmission means, for generating aircraft position data by measuring differences in time of arrival of the signal between at least two of the plurality of the receivers; and

means for generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification;

means for receiving a second signal from the aircraft, the second signal containing aircraft identification information; and

means for correlating aircraft identification information from the second signal with aircraft identification information from the first signal to confirm identity of the aircraft.

27. An apparatus for generating aircraft position and identification information, comprising:

a plurality of radio receivers for receiving a radio signal from an aircraft, the radio signal including an address corresponding to aircraft identification;

means, coupled to the plurality of radio receivers, for generating a time stamp indicating when the radio signal is received at each of the plurality of radio receivers;

transmission means, for transmitting the radio signal and the time stamp to a central workstation;

a central workstation, coupled to the transmission means, for generating aircraft position data by measuring differences in time of arrival of the radio signal between at least two of the plurality of the radio receivers; and

means for generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification,

wherein said means for generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification comprises;

means for looking up the aircraft registration number from a database correlating registration numbers and addresses.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said means for generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification further comprises:

means for extracting, from a database, additional aircraft identification information stored in the database corresponding to aircraft registration number.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the additional information includes at least one of aircraft manufacturer, model number, airframe serial number, and aircraft ownership information.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, further including:

means for displaying aircraft identification and location information in a real-time air traffic display.

31. A method generating aircraft identification information, comprising the steps of:

receiving, from at least one receiver, a first signal from an aircraft, the first signal including an address corresponding to aircraft identification;

transmitting the first signal to a central workstation; and

generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification;

receiving a second signal from the aircraft, the second signal containing aircraft identification information; and

correlating aircraft identification information from the second signal with aircraft identification information from the first signal to confirm identity of the aircraft.

32. A method of generating aircraft identification information, comprising the steps of:

receiving, from at least one radio receiver, a radio signal from an aircraft, the radio signal including an address corresponding to aircraft identification;

transmitting the radio signal to a central workstation; and

generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification,

wherein said step of generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification comprises the step of looking up the aircraft registration number from a database correlating registration numbers and addresses.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said step of generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification further comprises the steps of:

extracting, from a database, additional aircraft identification information stored in the database corresponding to aircraft registration number.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein the additional information includes at least one of aircraft manufacturer, model number, airframe serial number, and aircraft ownership information.

35. The method of claim 34, further including the step of:

displaying aircraft identification information in a real-time air traffic display.

41. The method of claim 32, wherein the database correlating registration numbers and addresses contains a database of both domestic and foreign aircraft registration numbers and addresses.

36. An apparatus for generating aircraft position and identification information, comprising:

at least one receiver for receiving a first signal from an aircraft, the first signal including an address corresponding to aircraft identification;

transmission means, for transmitting the first signal;

means, coupled to the transmission means, for generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification;

means for receiving a second signal from the aircraft, the second signal containing aircraft identification information; and

means for correlating aircraft identification information from the second signal with aircraft identification information from the first signal to confirm identity of the aircraft.

37. An apparatus for generating aircraft position and identification information, comprising:

at least one radio receiver for receiving a radio signal from an aircraft, the radio signal including an address corresponding to aircraft identification;

transmission means, for transmitting the radio signal; and

means, coupled to the transmission means, for generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification,

wherein said means for generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification comprises means for looking up the aircraft registration number from a database correlating registration numbers and addresses.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said means for generating aircraft identification data from the address corresponding to aircraft identification further comprises:

means for extracting, from a database, additional aircraft identification information stored in the database corresponding to aircraft registration number.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the additional information includes at least one of aircraft manufacturer, model number, airframe serial number, and aircraft ownership information.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, further including:

means for displaying aircraft identification information in a real-time air traffic display.

42. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the database correlating registration numbers and addresses contains a database of both domestic and foreign aircraft registration numbers and addresses.