System and method for performing 4-dimensional navigation

#The present invention relates generally to the field of navigation and control systems, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to an improved navigation system and method that provides real-time, 4-dimensional navigation information for operator displays.

#In 1995, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiated its “Free Flight” air traffic modernization program in order to improve airspace efficiency and capacity, and also revolutionize air traffic control. Essentially, the Free Flight program is designed to provide users (e.g., pilots, flight crews, aircraft operators, airlines, etc.) with as much flight mission flexibility as possible, while also enhancing the safety and predictability of the National Airspace System. Advantageously, the Free Flight program is expected to give aircraft operators increased control over their flight missions, and the opportunity to better control their operating expenses as a result. In other words, aircraft operators will benefit financially by having increased autonomy and control over the planning and execution of their flight missions.

#Currently, it is the responsibility of FAA air route traffic controllers to determine the specific routes and waypoints used by aircraft to reach their destinations. A waypoint is a fixed location with a specified longitude and latitude. Typically, in order to traverse a route, a pilot navigates to the nearest waypoint, and then to the next waypoint in turn, and so on until the aircraft reaches its destination. Currently, the FAA does not require an aircraft to reach a waypoint at a specific point in time. However, in the future, under the Free Flight program, the FAA will give operators more control over the route selections, but their aircraft will be required to reach specific points at specific times. In other words, under the Free Flight program, an aircraft will be required to arrive reliably at a predetermined location (e.g., waypoint) at a predetermined time, also known as a Required Time of Arrival (RTA).

#The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of an example aircraft navigation and control system, which can be used to implement a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 depicts a flow chart showing an exemplary method for computing the movement of an aircraft in four dimensions, predicting its arrival time at a predetermined location, and displaying on an electronic display (in a highly intuitive format) the aircraft's progress in achieving that desired arrival time, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

#With reference now to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of an example aircraft navigation and control system 100, which can be used to implement a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Essentially, for this example embodiment, system 100 computes the movement of an aircraft in four dimensions (x, y, z, t), predicts its arrival time at a predetermined waypoint, and displays (in a highly intuitive format) the aircraft's progress in achieving that desired arrival time. The pilot can then adjust the movement (e.g., speed, altitude, track, etc.) of the aircraft in accordance with the parameter(s) displayed, in order to achieve the desired arrival time.

#For this example embodiment, system 100 includes a processing unit 102, a database 104, a flight management system 106, a navigation system 108, a graphics display generator 110, and a visual display 112. Notably, it should be understood that although system 100 appears in FIG. 1 to be arranged as an integrated system, the present invention is not intended to be so limited and can also include an arrangement whereby one or more of processing unit 102, database 104, flight management system 106, navigation system 108, graphics display generator 110, and visual display 112 is a separate component or a subcomponent of another system located either onboard or external to an aircraft. Also, for example, system 100 can be arranged as an integrated system (e.g., aircraft display system, Primary Flight Display system, etc.) or a subsystem of a more comprehensive aircraft system (e.g., flight management system, navigation and control system, target aiming and control system, collision alert and/or avoidance system, weather avoidance system, etc.). Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to aircraft displays, and system 100 can also be implemented for other types of vehicles' electronic displays, such as, for example, spacecraft navigation displays, ship navigation displays, submarine navigation displays, train navigation displays, motor vehicle navigation displays, etc.).

#For this embodiment, processing unit 102 can be a computer processor such as, for example, a microprocessor, digital signal processor, or any suitable processor capable of at least receiving and/or retrieving aircraft flight management information (e.g., from flight management system 106), navigation and control information (e.g., from navigation system 108), terrain information, including waypoint data and coordinate data for airports, runways, natural and man-made obstacles, etc. (e.g., from database 104), generating display control signals for a visual display of the aircraft flight management information, the navigation and control information (including, for example, a zero pitch reference line, one or more heading indicators, tapes for airspeed and altitude, etc.), the terrain information, and sending the generated display control signals to a graphics display generator (e.g., graphics display generator 110) associated with an onboard visual display (e.g., visual display 112).