Cooperative resolution of air traffic conflicts

Abstract

A system and computer-implemented conflict resolution method for resolving air traffic conflicts involving a plurality of aircraft. The system may comprise an air traffic control system having a computer that implements a conflict resolution method, and a radar coupled to the traffic control system that provides position and velocity information for each aircraft. A communication subnetwork is used to communicate between aircraft and the traffic control system. Each aircraft may have a computer that implements the conflict resolution method, and a data link for transferring position and velocity information between the aircraft and the traffic control system over the communication subnetwork. Thus, either the aircraft, or the air traffic control system, or both implement the present method. The conflict resolution method in each aircraft and traffic control system cooperate to process position and velocity information relating to each aircraft to generate a series of conflict-free maneuvers for each aircraft that optimize the flight path of each respective aircraft toward their respective destinations while eliminating or minimizing the possibility of interference between the aircraft.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.