Patent · US Expired

Smart airport automation system

US6950037B1 · kind B1 · utility

50Cited by
4References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 6, 2003
Grant dateSep 27, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 6, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG08G5/76
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A smart airport automation system includes a subsystem that inputs weather and airport configuration data to determine an active runway in use and an airport state. Another subsystem inputs aircraft position and velocity data from available surveillance sources, known flight-intent information, and past aircraft trajectories to project future aircraft unconstrained trajectories. A third subsystem uses the projected trajectories and aircraft intent to determine desired landing and takeoff sequences, and desired adjacent aircraft spacing. A fourth subsystem uses such information to predict potential aircraft conflicts, such as a loss of acceptable separation between adjacent aircraft. A fifth subsystem packages the weather, airport configuration, aircraft state, desired landing/takeoff sequence, and potential conflict detection into a verbal advisory message that is broadcast on a local common radio frequency. A sixth subsystem uses the projected trajectory information to control the runway and taxiway lighting system.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.