System and method for displaying degraded traffic data on an in-trail procedure (ITP) display

A system and method for displaying degraded traffic data from an intruder aircraft on an ITP display is provided. The method includes determining if the degraded traffic data exhibits navigational accuracy sufficient for display on the ITP display, and analyzing the degraded traffic data to determine the ITP parameters for similar track traffic and to determine if the navigational accuracy of the degraded traffic data is within predefined bounds if the navigational accuracy of the degraded traffic is not sufficient for display on the ITP display.

TECHNICAL FILED

Embodiments of the subject matter described herein relate generally to avionics display systems. More particularly, embodiments of the subject matter described herein relate to a system and method for displaying symbology on an In-Trail Procedure (ITP) display representative of intruder aircraft having navigational accuracy below current standards for display.

BACKGROUND

While there is little or no radar in oceanic regions, there occur a vast number of flights over such regions. For example, on a typical day, hundreds of flights cross the North Atlantic, most of which operate on standard routes. In addition to a large number of aircraft operating in an oceanic environment, the majority of flights occur during a relatively small time window primarily due to airline requests to accommodate destination airport curfew restrictions and customer convenience. Thus, many flights operate on similar routes around the same time resulting in local congestion.

Since most flights are made by similar aircraft, there is a large demand for similar crossing altitudes. The result is that some aircraft must fly at other than optimal altitudes, possibly resulting in fuel inefficiency. While there are aircraft that would occasionally climb or descend to more optimum altitudes during an oceanic crossing, such transitions are made difficult by (1) large separation requirements, and (2) limited local surveillance for identifying spaces at more desirable altitudes into which an aircraft could climb or descend.

Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) is a surveillance technique based on the capability of aircraft to automatically and periodically transmit data such as position, altitude, velocity, and aircraft identification. The information can be received by ground stations and other aircraft. It is precise because it relies on a GPS source and has a high refresh rate thus providing improved traffic awareness in the cockpit.

Through the use of ADS-B and ITP procedures, altitude changes are enabled that were previously blocked due to current aircraft separation minima standards; the standard separation is required between all aircraft at the current desired altitudes. The result is reduced fuel burn and CO2emissions because ITP enables aircraft to achieve flight level changes more frequently because ITP permits climbs and descents using new reduced longitudinal separation standards.

Aircraft traffic is displayed on a cockpit plan mode display and on a vertical profile display referred to as an ITP display. A pilot may plan an ITP clearance procedure (climb or descend) by viewing traffic intruders (blocking aircraft and candidate reference aircraft) on the ITP display. A blocking aircraft is one that is between the initial and desired flight levels that blocks a standard procedural level change. Reference aircraft may be one or two aircraft transmitting valid ADS-B data that meets ITP criteria and is identified to Air Traffic Control (ATC) by the aircraft considering a flight level change as part of the ITP clearance request. However, the ITP display shows only similar track traffic intruders equipped with ADS-B OUT and transmitting ADS-B OUT data within prescribed navigational accuracy limits. If the ADS-B OUT data of the traffic intruder has dropped off for some reason or has navigational accuracy (e.g. position, vertical velocity) parameters that fall below prescribed limits, the intruder will not be represented on the ITP vertical profile display and are considered as degraded traffic. In addition, pure TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) intruders that are either blocking (an aircraft that is between the initial and desired flight levels and blocks a standard procedural level change) or non-blocking will not be represented on the ITP display.

Considering the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide an aircraft display system and method for displaying intruder aircraft exhibiting navigational accuracy parameters below prescribed limits (i.e. navigational uncertainty) in the ITP display. It is also desirable to provide an aircraft system and method for displaying ADS-B equipped intruder aircraft whose ADS-B data has dropped off. It is further desirable to provide an aircraft display system and method for displaying intruder aircraft not equipped with ADS-B but equipped with TCAS alone. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A method for displaying degraded traffic data from an intruder aircraft on ITP display is provided. The method involves determining if the traffic data exhibits navigational accuracy insufficient for display on the ITP display and is considered as degraded. The method continues by analyzing the degraded traffic data to determine the ITP parameters for similar track traffic and to determine if the navigational accuracy of the degraded traffic data is within predefined bounds if the navigational accuracy of the degraded traffic is not sufficient for display on the ITP display.

Also provided is a method for displaying degraded traffic data from an intruder aircraft (1) that is not ADS-B equipped, (2) ADS-B out equipped intruder whose ADS-B data has dropped off, or (3) that is transmitting degraded ADS-B data. The method involves determining the accuracy and integrity of the TCAS data if the intruder aircraft is not ADS-B equipped, correlating TCAS data with previously received ADS-B data if the ADS-B data has dropped off, correlating TCAS data with degraded ADS-B data, and determining if the traffic data exhibits navigational accuracy insufficient for display on the ITP display. The method continues by analyzing the degraded traffic data to determine the ITP parameters for similar track traffic and to determine if the navigational accuracy of the degraded traffic data is within predefined bounds if the navigational accuracy of the degraded traffic is not sufficient for display on the ITP display.

An aircraft display system configured to display degraded traffic data on an ITP display is also provided. The system comprises a monitor, and a processor coupled to the monitor and configured to determine if the traffic data exhibits navigational accuracy sufficient for display on the ITP display, and, if the navigational accuracy of the traffic data is not sufficient for display on the ITP display, analyze the degraded traffic data to determine the ITP parameters for similar track traffic and to determine if the navigational accuracy of the degraded traffic data is within predefined bounds if the navigational accuracy of the degraded traffic is not sufficient for display on the ITP display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As stated previously, ITP is designed for oceanic and remote airspaces not covered by radar. It enables aircraft to achieve flight level changes on a more frequent basis because ITP climbs and descents are made using new reduced separation standards. This results in lower fuel consumption, fewer CO2emissions, and increased safety.

FIG. 1is a vertical profile view illustrating a basic ITP procedure. In this case, aircraft20(i.e. the ITP aircraft) is seeking approval of an ITP procedure to climb from an initial flight level (FL340) through an intervening flight level (FL350) to desired flight level (FL360). However, before an ITP maneuver can take place, all ITP criteria must be met. These criteria include, but are not limited to (1) a maximum of two reference aircraft22, only one of which is identified inFIG. 1(i.e. aircraft with valid ADS-B data that meets ITP standards and are identified to Air Traffic Control (ATC) by the ITP aircraft as part of the ITP request); (2) reference aircraft22must send qualified ADS-B data; (3) the reference aircraft must be 2000 ft or less from the ITP aircraft20; (4) the ITP distance must be not less than fifteen NM (nautical miles) with a maximum closing GS (ground speed) differential of twenty knots, or less than twenty NM with a maximum closing GS differential of thirty knots; the climb/descent must be conducted at a rate no less than 300 feet per minute; (6) the ITP and reference aircraft must be on the same track; (7) procedural separations with other aircraft (i.e. an aircraft other than the ITP or reference aircraft) are met at all flight levels between the initial flight level and the desired flight level; and (8) the ITP aircraft must not be a reference aircraft in another ITP clearance request. Thus if the reference aircraft is not transmitting valid ADS-B data or does not satisfy other ITP criteria, the requested ITP maneuver will not be approved.

Traffic is shown on a plan mode display (e.g. a traffic situational awareness display) and on the vertical profile ITP display. By viewing the location of traffic intruders (i.e. blocking and candidate reference aircraft), a pilot may plan for an ITP procedure. However, as previously stated, only similar track intruders equipped with ADS-B OUT and transmitting ADS-B OUT data within prescribed navigational accuracy limits will be displayed on the ITP display. If an intruder aircraft's ADS-B OUT data has dropped off or its navigational accuracy (position, vertical velocity, etc.) parameters have fallen below prescribed limits, or if the intruder aircraft data is a pure TCAS intruder, these blocking or non-blocking aircraft are not represented on the ITP vertical display. For example, inFIG. 2, if blocking aircraft26flying at FL350 is unable to or not equipped to transmit valid ADS-B OUT data, it is not represented on the ITP vertical display. Thus, the pilot of the ownship24loses situational awareness of blocking aircraft26, which may resulting in (1) the pilot of aircraft24initiating an ITP request that may result in a rejection form ATC; and (2) upon recovering the rejection, the pilot would only know that there is traffic on the desired flight level or intervening flight level that does not satisfy the standard longitudinal separation minima, but would not know the placement of traffic because it is not displayed on the ITP display.

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for displaying on an ITP display (1) ADS-B equipped intruder aircraft whose ADS-B out has failed to transmit its data; (2) intruder aircraft exhibiting navigational uncertainty below standard prescribed limits; and/or (3) intruder aircraft equipped with TCAS but not ADS-B.

FIG. 3is functional block diagram that includes a generalized avionics display system30in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Avionics display system30includes at least one processor32and at least one monitor34, which is operatively coupled to processor32. During operation of avionics display system30, processor32drives monitor34to produce a graphical display36that visually provides a pilot and crew with navigational informational pertaining to the host aircraft and to neighboring aircraft within a predetermined vicinity of the host aircraft. Graphical display36may include visual representations of one or more of flight characteristics pertaining to a neighboring aircraft, as described more fully below. Processor32may generate display36in a two dimensional format (e.g., as a moving map display), in a three dimensional format (e.g., as a perspective display), or in a hybrid format (e.g., in a picture-in-picture or split screen arrangement). More specifically, display36maybe a vertical profile ITP display

Processor32may comprise, or be associated with, any suitable number of individual microprocessors, flight control computers, navigational equipment, memories, power supplies, storage devices, interface cards, and other standard components known in the art. In this respect, the processor32may include or cooperate with any number of software programs (e.g., avionics display programs) or instructions designed to carry out the various methods, process tasks, calculations, and control/display functions described below.

Image-generating devices suitable for use as monitor34include various analog (e.g., cathode ray tube) and digital (e.g., liquid crystal, active matrix, plasma, etc.) display devices. Monitor34may be disposed at various locations throughout the cockpit, but preferably reside at a central location within the pilot's primary field-of-view. Alternately, monitor34may be mounted at a location for convenient observation by the aircraft crew.

Processor32includes one or more inputs operatively coupled to one or more air traffic data sources. During operation of display system30, the air traffic data sources continually provide processor32with navigational data pertaining to neighboring aircraft. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 3, the air traffic data sources include a wireless transceiver38and a navigation system40, which are operatively coupled to first and second inputs of processor32, respectively. Navigation system40includes an onboard radar42and various other onboard instrumentation44, such as a radio altimeter, a barometric altimeter, a global positioning system (GPS) unit, and the like.

With continued reference toFIG. 1, wireless transceiver38is considered an air traffic data source in that transceiver38receives navigational data from external sources and relays this data to processor32. For example, wireless transceiver38may receive Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) data and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data from neighboring aircraft. TCAS data, ADS-B data, and other such external source data are preferably formatted to include air traffic state vector information, which may be utilized to determine a neighboring aircraft's current position and velocity. Furthermore, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, processor32is configured to determine if degraded traffic data meets predetermined minimum standards of navigational certainty and permit such traffic to be displayed on the vertical profile ITP display that is not displayed under current ITP standards, thus increasing a pilot's situational awareness.

FIG. 4illustrates a traffic display graphic that may be generated by processor32for display on ITP display36and visually represents an intruder aircraft having degraded navigational data and position uncertainty. As can be seen, the graphic illustrates (1) a traffic symbol46visually representing an intruder aircraft on flight level48; (2) a graphical representation of uncertainty on the ITP scale (i.e. a shaded or transparent rectangle50having a length visually representative of plus or minus the radius of containment (±Rc)) and wherein the height is visually representative of 200 feet; and (3) a textual representation of uncertainty52on the ITP scale represented by a maximum value equal to the ITP distance plus Rc and the minimum of which is the ITP distance minus Rc where Rc is mapped to the ITP distance scale and is derived from the containment mapping table discussed below. If two aircraft, A and B, have the same ground track, the ITP distance is the distance between A and B on their ground track. If the two aircraft, A and B, have ground tracks that intersect at an common point X and at an angle of less than forty-five degrees, then the ITP distance is the absolute value of the distance of aircraft A to common point X minus the distance of aircraft B to common point X, if the aircrafts are approaching point X. Otherwise, the ITP distance is the absolute value of the distance of aircraft A to common point X plus the distance of aircraft B to common point X, if the aircrafts are moving away from the common point X.

Referring again toFIG. 4, the graphic for display on the ITP also includes a textual representation of ground speed54and a symbol56that provides a visual indication of whether the ownship and the intruder are separating or closing in the manner in which these parameters have been previously displayed in connection with ITP traffic displays.

FIGS. 5,6,7and8are flowcharts corresponding to three scenarios for generating degraded traffic symbology in processor32for display by monitor34on ITP display36. The first scenario corresponds to the presence of a traffic intruder that is not transmitting ADS-B data or whose ADS-B data has dropped off. This is accomplished by correlating the intruder's TCAS data received using secondary surveillance radar and previously received and stored ADS-B data. In this manner, the position, track, and velocity of the intruder can be extrapolated. The traffic intruder's navigational accuracy for the new values can thus be determined. The second scenario occurs when the intruder is not equipped with ADS-B OUT. In this case, navigational accuracy is determined using TCAS data. The third scenario involves aircraft equipped with older installations of ADS-B OUT (e.g. DO-260, DO-260A) having navigational accuracy less than that required to qualify for display on ITP vertical display36.

In each of these scenarios, if the accuracy of the navigational parameters is less than prescribed by current standards, the traffic is considered degraded traffic. That is, if the navigational accuracy category for position (NACp) is less than five, or the navigation integrity category (NIC) is less than five, or the navigation accuracy category for velocity (NACv) is less than one, the intruder is considered degraded traffic and is not displayed on the ITP display. However, the representation of degraded traffic intruders is considered useful if they are on a similar track with respect to the ownship, their longitudinal separation is less than the default standard longitudinal separation limit, and their uncertainty is within predefined bounds. Information relating to the maximum and minimum uncertainty in ITP distance may be shown using vertical lines dropping onto the ITP distance scale.

FIGS. 5 and 6are flowcharts describing a method that may be carried out by the system shown and described in connection withFIG. 3that for displaying symbology on an ITP display representative of an intruder aircraft when the intruder's ADS-B data is not being transmitted or, for some reason, has dropped off.

Referring specifically toFIG. 5, after determining that ADS-B data is not being received, the process commences by determining if there is a history of ADS-B data previously received and stored (STEP60). If such is the case, and the intruder aircraft is transmitting TCAS data (STEP62), the TCAS data is correlated with the previously stored ADS-B data (STEP64). That is, processor32utilizes the relationship between TCAS data and previously received ADS-B data to generate and store a table or other multi-dimensional representation of the database of information. Processor32then compares the currently received TCAS data with previously stored ADS-B data to more accurately determine the navigational parameters, including averaging the TCAS data and previously received ADS-B data and associating the TCAS data with the previously received and stored ADS-B data. A technique of this type is described in more detail in US2008/0120032 A1 published May 22, 2008 and entitled “Methods and Systems of Determining Bearing when ADS-B Data is Unavailable.”

Next, in STEP66, a determination is made as to whether or not the data meets certain navigational requirements for example, is (1) the navigation accuracy category for position (NACp) equal to or greater than five, (2) the navigation integration category equal to or greater than five, and (3) the navigation accuracy category for velocity (NACv) equal to or greater than one. If these conditions are met, the intruder is displayed as valid traffic on the ITP display (STEP68) or otherwise the intruder is considered as degraded traffic. If these conditions are not met, the degraded traffic is further analyzed (STEP70) using the process described in connection with the flowchart shown inFIG. 6.

Referring toFIG. 6, the ITP parameters such as ITP distance, relative track, and altitude for similar track traffic are determined (STEP72) in processor32from ADS-B reports, TCAS data, or both. The ITP distance is described above. Similar track is defined as an instantaneous track that is identical, parallel, or one which converges or diverges at less than forty-five degrees or more than 315 degrees. An aircraft is considered a blocking aircraft only if the relative track of the ownship and traffic intruder meet this “similar track” criteria.

In STEP74, a determination is made as to whether or not the degradation of the data is within predefined bounds. That is, is the navigation accuracy for position (NACp) is equal to or greater than the lowest acceptable value of NACp that will be considered for display on the ITP display. This is determined using a containment mapping table derived from Standards (DO-312) and stored in processor32that describes the radius of containment (NIC) for any value of NACP. The ITP distance of the traffic calculated above (STEP72) can vary within the radius of containment. If the degradation is within bounds, the uncertainty geometry described above in connection withFIG. 4will be generated and displayed on ITP display36(STEP76). As previously stated, the information regarding maximum and minimum uncertainty is shown with vertical lines51dropping onto the ITP distance scale53inFIG. 4. If the degradation is not within bounds, the data will not be displayed (STEP78).

Referring toFIG. 7, if the traffic intruder is not equipped with ADS-B, the navigational accuracy and integrity of the TCAS data is computed by the TCAS system as is shown at STEP80. The rest of the process for displaying degraded TCAS data is that shown in STEPS66,68, and70described in connection withFIG. 5and STEPS72,74,76, and78described in connection withFIG. 6.

A third scenario arises when an intruder is equipped with an older ADS-B system (e.g. DO-260, DO-260A) having navigational accuracy less than that required under current standards for qualifying to be displayed on the ITP vertical display. Referring to the flowchart shown inFIG. 8, degraded ADS-B data is correlated with TCAS data in STEP82using techniques described above in connection with STEP64inFIG. 5. The rest of the process for displaying degraded ADS-B data is the same as STEPS66,68, and70inFIG. 5and thus, the STEPS72,74,76, and78shown and described in connection withFIG. 6.

Thus, there has been provided an aircraft display system and method for displaying intruder aircraft exhibiting navigational accuracy parameters below prescribed limits (i.e. navigational uncertainty) in the ITP display providing a pilot with greater situational awareness.