Airspace separation control and collision avoidance
AssigneeQinetiq Limited
InventorKenneth Michael Carpenter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention provides methods for validating a position of an airborne platform, by comparing rate of change of a measure of barometric altitude with rate of change of a measure of geometric altitude. When the difference in rates of change exceeds at least one predetermined threshold an indication is provided that a threshold has been exceeded. The methods may be employed onboard an aircraft and/or at an air traffic control site, provided the aircraft transmits the necessary parameters. The comparison not only provides validation of vertical positioning information (altitude) but also horizontal positioning information. Corresponding apparatus, systems, programs for computers, and communications signals are also provided.
Claims24
A method of analysing position data relating to an airborne platform, the method comprising:
- providing an indication of reliability of position data relating to the airborne platform responsive to a comparison between one or more predetermined thresholds and the difference between a measure of rate of change of pressure altitude and a measure of rate of change of geometric altitude
- in which the comparison is made based on the relationship:
- T
- T
- *
-
- ω
- ≈
- w
- +
- f
- g
-
- s
-
-
- σ
- in which:
- T is the air temperature,
- T* is the air temperature in the standard atmosphere,
- ω is the rate of change of pressure altitude,
- w is the rate of change of geometric altitude
- ƒ is the Coriolis parameter
- g is gravitational acceleration
- s is the air speed of the aircraft, and
- σ is the crosswind experienced by the aircraft.
Apparatus for validating a position of an airborne platform, the apparatus comprising:
- first apparatus for determining a measure of rate of change of barometric altitude of the airborne platform;
- second apparatus for determining a measure of rate of change of geometric altitude of the airborne platform;
- third apparatus for providing an indication responsive to a comparison between the difference in measures of rates of change and at least one predetermined threshold
- in which the comparison is made based on the relationship:
- T
- T
- *
-
- ω
- ≈
- w
- +
- f
- g
-
- s
-
-
- σ
- in which:
- T is the air temperature,
- T* is the air temperature in the standard atmosphere,
- ω is the rate of change of pressure altitude,
- w is the rate of change of geometric altitude
- ƒ is the Coriolis parameter
- g is gravitational acceleration
- s is the air speed of the aircraft, and
- σ is the crosswind experienced by the aircraft.
A method of controlling the flight path of an airborne platform, the method comprising controlling the airborne platform responsive to a comparison between a difference between a rate of change of pressure altitude and a rate of change of geometric altitude associated with the airborne platform and at least one predetermined threshold
- in which the comparison is made based on the relationship:
- T
- T
- *
-
- ω
- ≈
- w
- +
- f
- g
-
- s
-
-
- σ
- in which;
- T is the air temperature,
- T* is the air temperature in the standard atmosphere,
- ω is the rate of change of pressure altitude,
- w is the rate of change of geometric altitude
- ƒ is the Coriolis parameter
- g is gravitational acceleration
- s is the air speed of the aircraft, and
- σ is the crosswind experienced by the aircraft.
A method of air traffic control comprising directing the flight path of an airborne platform responsive to a comparison between the difference between a rate of change of pressure altitude and a rate of change of geometric altitude associated with the airborne platform and at least one predetermined threshold
- in which the comparison is made based on the relationship:
- T
- T
- *
-
- ω
- ≈
- w
- +
- f
- g
-
- s
-
-
- σ
- in which:
- T is the air temperature,
- T* is the air temperature in the standard atmosphere,
- ω is the rate of change of pressure altitude,
- w is the rate of change of geometric altitude
- ƒ is the Coriolis parameter
- g is gravitational acceleration
- s is the air speed of the aircraft, and
- σ is the crosswind experienced by the aircraft.
A program for a computer, the program being arranged to perform the steps of:
- providing an indication of reliability of position data relating to the airborne platform responsive to a comparison between one or more predetermined thresholds and the difference between a measure of rate of change of pressure altitude and a measure of rate of change of geometric altitude
- in which the comparison is made based on the relationship:
- T
- T
- *
-
- ω
- ≈
- w
- +
- f
- g
-
- s
-
-
- σ
- in which:
- T is the air temperature,
- T* is the air temperature in the standard atmosphere,
- ω is the rate of change of pressure altitude,
- w is the rate of change of geometric altitude
- ƒ is the Coriolis parameter
- g is gravitational acceleration
- s is the air speed of the aircraft, and
- σ is the crosswind experienced by the aircraft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.