Midair collision and avoidance system (MCAS)

• US 6,278,396 B1
• Filed: 11/08/2000
• Issued: 08/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Tran, My
• Primary Examiner(s): Sotomayor, John B.
• Application Number:
  US09/708,214
• Time in Patent Office: 286 Days
• Field of Search: 342/29, 342/30, 342/32, 342/36, 342/37, 342/38, 342/42, 342/43, 342/46, 342/49, 342/50, 342/57
• US Class Current: 342/29
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/933 of aircraft or spacecraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0008 with other aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0052 for cruising combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value G01C23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0078 for monitoring traffic from the aircraft radar or analogous systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/045 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. determination of anti-collision manoeuvers radar or analogous systems specially adapted for anti-collision between aircraft G01S13/933

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.

Claims

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.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising airborne radar that receives signals transmitted from external communication sources.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising datalink means in communication with said TCAS for communicating with external communication sources.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising station keeping equipment that determines range and bearing of the external communication sources and allows the host vehicle to resolve position with respect to other objects.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising navigation units to obtain navigational information and data in a universal time reference frame.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising an integrated communication system to generate audio signals representing advisory notices to the operator of the host aircraft.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising display driver means in terms of serial bus, high speed data bus, video analog signals, night vision imaging system, heads-up display system, and multifunctional display system.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising flight guidance control means for mode information to said TCAS and for receiving flight control commands for controlling the host vehicle.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for interfacing with a directional antenna and an omni-directional antenna.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a digital terrain elevation database for allowing the system to generate a vertical terrain profile.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the Tactical management means calculates formation commands to provide to the control laws of the navigation means and/or to allow the vehicle operator to assess the fidelity of the flight formation.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the Tactical management means comprises:

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.

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.

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.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is capable of operating in a minimum operating capacity.

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.

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.