Patent ID: 8744738
Filing Date: 2014-06-03
Classification: G01C,G08G

Abstract:
1. A method for managing separation between vehicles, the method comprising: a computer predicting a closest point of approach between a first vehicle traveling along a first path and a second vehicle traveling along a second path, a predicted closest point of approach being formed; the computer generating a number of compensation commands for altering the first path of the first vehicle using the closest point of approach and a predetermined level of separation between the first vehicle and the second vehicle, the predetermined level of separation comprising a three-dimensional separation perimeter layer, each dimension in the three-dimensional separation perimeter layer corresponding to a respective control direction having a respective avoidance gain; and the computer integrating the number of compensation commands with a number of control commands for the first vehicle to form a final number of control commands configured to maneuver the first vehicle to maintain the predetermined level of separation between the first vehicle and the second vehicle, the number of control commands having a magnitude that includes a respective gain contribution from the respective avoidance gain of the respective control dimension when the predicted closest point of approach breaches the three-dimensional separation perimeter layer.