Interval management using data overlay

A method for creating a data link for interval management comprising:

• encoding a first data stream into an avionics signal using a first modulation protocol to create a modulated avionics signal;
• modulating the modulated avionics signal with a second data stream using a second modulation protocol to create an overlay-modulated signal, wherein the second data stream is configured to provide interval management with respect to a flight path of a target aircraft;
• transmitting the overlay-modulated signal through a transponder;
• receiving the overlay-modulated signal in a receiver;
• extracting the second data stream from the overlay-modulated signal by using a second demodulation protocol;
• and
• extracting the first data stream from the overlay-modulated signal by using a first demodulation protocol;
• obtaining a spacing goal for an aircraft relative to the target aircraft;
• determining clearance instructions for the aircraft, wherein speed guidance is determined based on the spacing goal;
• transmitting the clearance instructions in the second data stream, further comprising information relating to a plurality of target aircraft, the information relating to a plurality of aircraft including a second target identification, a second target intended flight path, and a two-target spacing type, the second data stream relayed through at least one inter-aircraft datalink;
• and
• further comprising receiving from a first target aircraft of the plurality of aircraft an estimated time of arrival (ETA) to an achieve-by point.

A method for creating a data link for interval management comprising:

• encoding a first data stream into an avionics signal using a first modulation protocol to create a modulated avionics signal;
• modulating the modulated avionics signal with a second data stream using a second modulation protocol to create an overlay-modulated signal, wherein the second data stream is configured to provide interval management with respect to a flight path of a target aircraft;
• and
• transmitting the overlay-modulated signal through a transponder to enable control an aircraft with respect to the target aircraft;
• obtaining a spacing goal for an aircraft relative to the target aircraft;
• determining clearance instructions for the aircraft, wherein speed guidance is determined based on the spacing goal;
• transmitting the clearance instructions in the second data stream, the clearance instructions further comprising information relating to a plurality of target aircraft, the information relating to a plurality of aircraft including a second target identification, a second target intended flight path, and a two-target spacing type, the second data stream relayed through at least one inter-aircraft datalink;
• and
• further comprising receiving from a first target aircraft of the plurality of aircraft an estimated time of arrival (ETA) to an achieve-by point.

A method of interval management, the method comprising:

• obtaining a spacing goal for an aircraft relative to a target aircraft;
• determining clearance instructions for the aircraft, wherein speed guidance is determined based on the spacing goal;
• transmitting the clearance instructions in a computer-readable format to the aircraft, wherein the instructions are provided by an overlay-modulated signal of a provided modulated air traffic control (ATC) signal, and wherein the instructions are configured to enable control of the aircraft to achieve the spacing goal, the clearance instructions further comprising information relating to a plurality of target aircraft, the information relating to a plurality of aircraft including a second target identification, a second target intended flight path, and a two-target spacing type, the overlay-modulated signal relayed through at least one inter-aircraft datalink;
• and
• further comprising receiving from a first target aircraft of the plurality of aircraft an estimated time of arrival (ETA) to an achieve-by point.