Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G5/00—Traffic control systems for aircraft
  • G08G5/20—Arrangements for acquiring, generating, sharing or displaying traffic information
  • G08G5/21—Arrangements for acquiring, generating, sharing or displaying traffic information located onboard the aircraft
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G5/00—Traffic control systems for aircraft
  • G08G5/20—Arrangements for acquiring, generating, sharing or displaying traffic information
  • G08G5/23—Details of user output interfaces, e.g. information presented
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G5/00—Traffic control systems for aircraft
  • G08G5/20—Arrangements for acquiring, generating, sharing or displaying traffic information
  • G08G5/25—Transmission of traffic-related information between aircraft
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G5/00—Traffic control systems for aircraft
  • G08G5/20—Arrangements for acquiring, generating, sharing or displaying traffic information
  • G08G5/26—Transmission of traffic-related information between aircraft and ground stations
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G5/00—Traffic control systems for aircraft
  • G08G5/50—Navigation or guidance aids
  • G08G5/51—Navigation or guidance aids for control when on the ground, e.g. taxiing or rolling
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G5/00—Traffic control systems for aircraft
  • G08G5/50—Navigation or guidance aids
  • G08G5/55—Navigation or guidance aids for a single aircraft
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G5/00—Traffic control systems for aircraft
  • G08G5/70—Arrangements for monitoring traffic-related situations or conditions
  • G08G5/72—Arrangements for monitoring traffic-related situations or conditions for monitoring traffic
  • G08G5/723—Arrangements for monitoring traffic-related situations or conditions for monitoring traffic from the aircraft
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G5/00—Traffic control systems for aircraft
  • G08G5/80—Anti-collision systems

Definitions

• the present application relates generally to a control system for a vehicle, the control system configured to provide an alert indication. More specifically, the present application relates to a control system for providing an alert indication when a distance between the vehicle and at least one other vehicle is or is predicted to be less than or equal to a threshold value.
• Vehicles such as aircraft
• an antenna to transmit and receive data and communication signals.
• the radio frequency radiation emitted by the antenna may interfere with certain systems of the other vehicles, such as navigation systems.
• aircraft are often equipped with precision approach systems that may be disrupted by radio frequency radiation emitted by an antenna of a nearby aircraft.
• embodiments of the present disclosure provided herein include improved control systems and methods for providing alert indications.
• a control system for a vehicle may be configured to provide an alert indication.
• the control system may include a satellite communication system (SATCOM) that includes an antenna.
• SATCOM satellite communication system
• the SATCOM may be configured to operate in a plurality of modes. At least one of the plurality of modes may be an on mode.
• the control system may be configured to provide at least one alert indication when (i) the SATCOM is operating in the on mode and (ii) a distance between the vehicle and at least one other vehicle is or is predicted to be less than or equal to a threshold value.
• the SATCOM mode control provides the at least one alert indication.
• a display of the control system is configured to provide an auto override control for a user to switch the control system from the auto mode to an override mode.
• a display of the control system is configured to present an effectivity ring around a depiction of the vehicle on the display.
• the effectivity ring may be displayed in a first color when the distance between the vehicle and at least one other vehicle is or is predicted to be less than or equal to the threshold value.
• the effectivity ring may be displayed in a second color when the distance between the vehicle and all other vehicles within the vicinity is or is predicted to be greater than the threshold value.
• a display of the control system is configured to present an effectivity ring around a depiction of the aircraft on the display.
• the effectivity ring may be displayed in a first color when the distance between the aircraft and at least one other aircraft is or is predicted to be less than or equal to the threshold value.
• the effectivity ring may be displayed in a second color when the distance between the aircraft and all other aircraft within the vicinity is or is predicted to be greater than the threshold value.
• a method of controlling a satellite communication system (SATCOM) of a vehicle may include an antenna configured to emit RF signals.
• the method may include determining or receiving vehicle position data.
• the method may include determining or receiving traffic data.
• the method may include determining, based at least in part on the vehicle position data and the traffic data, that a distance between the vehicle and at least one other vehicle is or is predicted to be less than or equal to a threshold value.
• the method may include providing at least one alert indication in response the determination that the distance is less than or equal to the threshold value.
• the method includes displaying an effectivity ring in a first color around a depiction of the vehicle on a display of the vehicle.
• the method may include changing the first color to a second color when the distance between the vehicle and all other vehicles within the vicinity is or is predicted to be greater than the threshold value.
• the term "or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, "X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then "X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances.
• the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.
• the term "vicinity" may refer an area surrounding a vehicle.
• the vicinity may refer to the area around the vehicle that is within two-thousand feet, such as within one-thousand feet, such within eight hundred feet.
• the SATCOM 200 can be configured to operate in a plurality of modes.
• the plurality of modes can include at least a high power mode, a low power mode, and an off mode.
• the mode of the SATCOM 200 can be automatically determined, or the automatic selection can be overridden and the mode of the SATCOM 200 can be manually selected by a user.
• the SATCOM 200 such as the antenna 210 of the SATCOM 200, can be configured to receive traffic data 10.
• the SATCOM 200 may receive traffic data 10 from at least one satellite and/or at least one ground station.
• the traffic data 10 may include data indicative of a position of at least one other vehicle, such as at least one other aircraft.
• the data indicative of the position of the one or more other vehicles may include altitude data, latitude data, longitude data, global positioning system (GPS) coordinates, velocity data, or a combination thereof.
• the traffic data 10 may include identification data for each of the one or more other vehicles.
• the identification data may include a transponder code (e.g., a "squawk" code), a tail number, or a combination thereof, for each of the one or more other vehicles.
• the control system 100 can include a Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) 300.
• the TCAS 300 can include or be in electrical communication with a transponder 310.
• the TCAS 300 can be a vehicle collision avoidance system that may reduce the incidence of collision between the vehicle and another vehicle.
• the TCAS 300 may use the transponder 310 to detect and/or identify other vehicles.
• the TCAS 300 may use the transponder 310 to receive traffic data 10 that is emitted by transponders of other vehicles.
• the TCAS 300 may receive the altitude and transponder codes emitted by transponders of other vehicles, such as aircraft.
• the TCAS 300 can be configured to receive traffic data 10 from the transponders of other vehicles.
• the TCAS 300 or the transponder 310 can be configured to receive or determine a position of the vehicle and determine a distance between the vehicle and at least one other vehicle. Alternatively or in addition to, the TCAS 300 or the transponder 310 can be configured to predict a distance between the vehicle and the at least one other vehicle at a time in the future. Alternatively or in addition to, the TCAS 300 or the transponder 310 can be configured to determine whether a distance between the vehicle and at least one other vehicle is or is predicted to be less than or equal to a threshold value (also referred herein as a "distance threshold value").
• a threshold value also referred herein as a "distance threshold value"
• the control system 100 can include a data unit 400.
• the data unit 400 may be configured to receive or determine vehicle position data 20.
• the vehicle position data 20 may include data indicative of the current position and/or velocity of the vehicle.
• the data unit 400 may receive vehicle position data 20 from a navigation management system 500, such as a flight management system.
• the navigation management system 500 may communicate with at least one satellite to receive or determine the vehicle position data 20.
• the navigation management system 500 may communicate with the at least one satellite via open standard-precision signal L1OF/L2OF, obfuscated high-precision signal L1SF/L2SF, or a combination thereof.
• the I/O system 600 can be configured to receive the vehicle position data 20, the traffic data 10, the SATCOM mode signal 30, which is data indicative of the current mode of the SATCOM 200, the control system mode signal 40, which is data indicative of the current mode of the control system 100, or a combination thereof.
• the vehicle position data 20, the traffic data 10, and the SATCOM mode signal 30 may be received from the data unit 400 and/or the TCAS 300.
• the i/o system 600 displays an indication and/or provides an audible indication of at least one of the vehicle position data 20, the traffic data 10, and/or the SATCOM mode signal 30.
• the I/O system 600 may display 610 a mode of the control system 100, which may operate in an automatic mode (sometimes referred herein as an "auto mode") or an override mode.
• the I/O system 600 may display 610 a mode of the SATCOM 200, which may operate in a high power mode, a low power mode, and an off mode.
• the I/O system 600 may be configured to transmit a control system mode signal 40, which is data indicative of the control system 100 operating in the override mode or the auto mode, to the TCAS 300 or data unit 400.
• the TCAS 300 or the data unit 400 may transmit the override mode signal to the SATCOM 200.
• vehicle position data 20 When a vehicle, such as an aircraft, it may use vehicle position data 20 from its navigation management system 500 (e.g., a flight management system). As discussed, the navigation management system 500 may communicate with at least one satellite to receive or determine the vehicle position data 20, which may include the current position or velocity of the vehicle. However, RF signals emitted by other aircraft that are in the same vicinity may interfere with the navigation management system 500's ability to communicate with the at least one satellite. Therefore, this may negatively affect the operation of other systems within the vehicle that utilize the vehicle position data 20 from the navigation management system 500. For example, aircraft are often equipped with precision approach systems that utilize the vehicle position data 20 from its navigation management system 500.
• the precision approach system of the aircraft may not operate correctly or as precisely when the navigation management system 500 is disrupted by the RF signals emitted by other aircraft. Therefore, it may be beneficial to adjust, automatically or manually, the strength of the RF signals emitted by the vehicle, such as emitted by the antenna 210 of the vehicle, when other vehicles are in the same vicinity, to prevent the interruption of the navigation management system 500 of the other aircraft.
• SATCOM 200 units which requires turning the SATCOM 200 on, which may emit RF signals that interfere with the navigation management systems of other vehicles.
• the control system 100 of the present disclosure may be configured to adjust the strength of the RF signals emitted by the antenna 210 of the SATCOM 200 of the vehicle, either automatically or manually. Additionally, or alternatively, the control system 100 of the present disclosure may be configured to provide an indication as to whether the SATCOM 200 may be turned on (and whether in a high power mode or in a low power mode) without interfering with the navigation management system 500 of other vehicles.
• the control system 100 can include a SATCOM 200 that includes a modem 220 and an antenna 210, as discussed.
• the antenna 210 can be in electrical communication with the modem 220.
• the antenna 210 may emit RF signals when operating.
• the antenna 210 may emit RF signals when communicating with or receiving communications from at least one satellite or ground station.
• the SATCOM 200 may be configured to be turned off to prevent RF signals from being emitted by the antenna 210, which may interfere with the navigation management systems of other aircraft.
• the modem 220 of the SATCOM 200 may be turned off to prevent the RF signals from being emitted by the antenna 210.
• turning off the SATCOM 200, or the modem 220 of the SATCOM 200 may be undesirable.
• a user such as a pilot, a passenger, or a driver, of the vehicle may desire to use the antenna 210 to communicate with other individuals outside of the aircraft.
• the vehicle may be an air ambulance and the pilot or passengers may desire to relay patient health status and/or continue communication with doctors or hospital staff. As such, turning the SATCOM 200 off may be detrimental for the safety of the patient on board the air ambulance. In various examples, passengers, pilots, or passengers may desire to use the SATCOM 200 for internet access, voice over IP calls, streaming services, etc. Turning the SATCOM 200 off may suddenly disconnect the passenger's connections of these SATCOM 200 services, which may result in decreased satisfaction of the user.
• the SATCOM 200 in a low power mode to allow users to continue use of the SATCOM 200, while also reducing the risk of the RF signals emitted by the SATCOM 200 interrupting the navigation management systems of other aircraft.
• the SATCOM 200 When the SATCOM 200 is operating in the low power mode, basic data services are still available, but with a lower bandwidth, as compared to when the SATCOM 200 is operating in the high power mode.
• the strength of RF signals emitted by the antenna 210 may be lower than when the SATCOM 200 is operating in the high power mode.
• the vehicle is an aircraft and the control system 100 is configured to determine that the vehicle is on the ground.
• the control system 100 may not be configured to determine that the vehicle is on the ground, or the control system 100 may bypass this step.
• control system 100 may include a navigation management system 500 that may be configured to determine vehicle position data 20, such as altitude data.
• the altitude data of the vehicle may be used to determine data that is indicative of the vehicle being on the ground.
• determining data indicative of whether the vehicle is on the ground can be determined by various other systems of the vehicle, such as a weight on wheels (WoW) system.
• the data unit 400 and/or the TCAS 300 may receive the data that is indicative of the vehicle being on the ground from the navigation management system 500 or any other system of the vehicle, such as the WoW system.
• the control system 100 may be configured to determine whether a distance between the vehicle and at least one other vehicle is or is predicted to be less than or equal to a threshold value.
• the control system 100 may be configured to determine whether one or more distance(s) between the vehicle and all other vehicles within the vicinity is or is predicted to be greater than a threshold value. Stated differently, the control system 100 may be configured to determine that there are no other vehicles that are within the distance threshold.
• the data unit 400 and/or the TCAS 300 may make the determination(s) based at least in part on received or determined traffic data 10. In various examples, the data unit 400 and/or the TCAS 300 may make the determination(s) based at least in part on received or determined vehicle position data 20.
• the traffic data 10 may be received from the SATCOM 200 and/or the transponder 310.
• the traffic data 10 may include the position of at least one other vehicle.
• the traffic data 10 may include altitude data, latitude data, longitude data, global positioning system (GPS) coordinates, velocity data, or a combination thereof, of at least one other vehicle.
• the vehicle position data 20 may be received from the navigation management system 500.
• the vehicle position data 20 may include altitude data, latitude data, longitude data, global positioning system (GPS) coordinates, velocity data, or a combination thereof, of the vehicle, may be received from the navigation system.
• the data unit 400 and/or the TCAS 300 may determine the current distance between the vehicle and at least one other vehicle and/or determine a predicted future distance between the vehicle and at least one other vehicle based at least in part on the traffic data 10 and the vehicle position data 20. The current distance and/or the predicted future distance can be compared to a threshold value.
• the threshold value is predetermined. In various examples, the threshold value is determined by the data unit 400 and/or the TCAS 300 based at least in part on at least one RF property emitted by the antenna 210 of the SATCOM 200. For example, at least one RF property may be the amount of gain achievable by the antenna 210. As will be appreciated, antennas are often categorized as high gain antennas (HGA) or low gain antennas (LGA). At least one RF property may be the RF waveform emitted by the antenna 210.
• HGA high gain antennas
• LGA low gain antennas
• antennas are often configured to emit various different types of waveforms including a C1 waveform, C2 waveform, C8 16APSK waveform, 2C8 APSK waveform, C8 CPSK waveform, 2C8 QPSK waveform, etc.
• certain types of RF properties of antennas may require a greater distance between the vehicle and another vehicle to prevent the interruption of the navigation management system 500 on the other aircraft, which corresponds to the threshold value. For example, an LGA emitting a C2 waveform would require less of a distance than a HGA antenna 210 emitting a 2C8 APSK waveform.
• the threshold value for the LGA emitting a C2 waveform would be less than the threshold value for the HGA antenna 210 emitting a 2C8 APSK waveform.
• the threshold value is between 30 feet and 700 feet, such as between 35 feet and 500 feet, such as between 300 feet and 450 feet.
• the data unit 400 and/or the TCAS 300 may compare the current distance and/or the predicted future distance between the vehicle and at least one other vehicle against the threshold value. When the current distance and/or the predicted future distance is less than or equal to the threshold value, the control system 100 may send a determined SATCOM mode signal 30 to the SATCOM 200 to automatically switch or maintain the SATCOM 200 in a low power mode, as depicted in the flow chart of FIG. 2A . When the current distance and/or the predicted future distance is greater than the threshold value, the control system 100 may send a determined SATCOM mode signal 30 to the SATCOM 200 to automatically switch or maintain the SATCOM 200 in a high power mode, as depicted in the flow chart of FIG. 2B .
• the automatic switching of the SATCOM 200 between the low power mode and the high power mode by the control system 100 may be overridden.
• a user such as a pilot or a driver, of the vehicle may select the desired mode of the SATCOM 200 via the display 610, which causes an override SATCOM mode signal 30, which is data indicative of the desired mode of the SATCOM 200, to be transmitted to the data unit 400 and/or the TCAS 300.
• the control system 100 may prevent the SATCOM 200 from switching from a high power mode to a low power mode when the aircraft is not on the ground (i.e., the aircraft is in flight).
• the control system 100 may automatically switch the SATCOM 200 from the high power mode to the low power mode when it is determined that the aircraft is on the ground (i.e., after the aircraft has landed).
• the control system 100 may automatically switch the mode of the control system 100 to the auto mode and the mode of the SATCOM 200 can be switched automatically, as previously described.
• the GUI of the display 610 can present an auto override control 620.
• the auto override control 620 can be configured to allow a user to select between an auto mode and an override mode ("Off' mode as depicted) of the control system 100.
• the auto mode causes the TCAS 300 and/or the data unit 400 to automatically switch the SATCOM 200 from the high power mode to the low power mode when it is determined that a distance between the vehicle and at least one other vehicle is or is predicted to be less than or equal to a threshold value.
• the auto mode causes the TCAS 300 and/or the data unit 400 to automatically switch the SATCOM 200 from the low power mode to the high power mode when it is determined that a distance between the vehicle and at least one other vehicle is or is predicted to be greater than a threshold value.
• Selection of one of the SATCOM 200 operational modes may cause an override SATCOM mode signal 30, which is data indicative of the selected SATCOM 200 operational mode, to be transmitted to the TCAS 300 and/or the data unit 400.
• the TCAS 300 and/or the data unit 400 may transmit the override SATCOM mode signal 30 to the SATCOM 200, which may cause the SATCOM 200 to switch between one of the high power mode, the low power mode, or the off mode to another one of the high power mode, the low power mode, or the off mode.
• the GUI of the display 610 can present an alert indication 640.
• the alert indication 640 may notify the user of the GUI, such as a pilot or a driver of the vehicle, that the SATCOM 200 operational mode is currently set to the high power mode and that a vehicle is, or is predicted to be, within the distance threshold value.
• the alert indication 640 may provide letters, icons, or the like that are brighter colors or bolder than the other portions of the GUI that are provided.
• the alert indication 640 may flash.
• the alert indication 640 may be an audible indication emitted by the I/O system 600.
• the GUI may present a SATCOM mode annunciation 650.
• the SATCOM mode annunciation 650 may provide an indication regarding the current mode of the SATCOM 200 and/or the control system 100.
• the SATCOM mode annunciation 650 may provide an indication of "SATCOM 200 ON” or "SATCOM 200 OFF".
• the SATCOM mode annunciation 650 may provide an indication of "SATCOM 200 HIGH” or "SATCOM 200 LOW".
• the SATCOM mode annunciation 650 may provide an indication of "SATCOM 200 AUTO"
• the SATCOM mode annunciation 650 may provide an indication regarding whether there are other vehicles that are within the distance threshold. For example, when another vehicle is not within the distance threshold, the SATCOM mode annunciation 650 may provide a first icon or may change the color of the SATCOM mode annunciation 650 to a first color, such as yellow, blue, or a combination thereof (e.g., green). In contrast, when another vehicle is within the distance threshold, the SATCOM mode annunciation 650 may provide a second icon or may change the color of the SATCOM mode annunciation 650 to a second color, such as red, yellow, or a combination thereof (e.g., orange).
• a first color such as yellow, blue, or a combination thereof (e.g., green).
• the SATCOM mode annunciation 650 may provide a second icon or may change the color of the SATCOM mode annunciation 650 to a second color, such as red, yellow, or a combination thereof (e.g.
• the GUI may present an effectivity ring 660.
• the radius of the effectivity ring 660 may be indicative of the distance threshold value. For example, when no aircraft are within the effectivity ring 660, as depicted in FIG. 5A , the effectivity ring 660 may be displayed in a first color, such as yellow, blue, or a combination thereof (e.g., green). When another vehicle is within the distance threshold, as depicted in FIG. 5B , the effectivity ring 660 may be displayed in a second color, such as red, yellow, or a combination thereof (e.g., orange).
• the GUI may provide a SATCOM mode annunciation 650 and control 670.
• the SATCOM mode annunciation 650 and control 670 can serve the functions of both the SATCOM mode control 630, as discussed in reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B , and the SATCOM mode annunciation 650, as discussed in reference to FIG. 5A .
• the SATCOM mode annunciation 650 and control 670 may provide an indication regarding whether there are other vehicles that are within the distance threshold and can also allow a user to select between the SATCOM 200 operational modes (i.e., high power mode, low power mode, or off mode).
• the SATCOM mode annunciation 650 and control 670 may allow a user to select between the modes of the control system 100 (e.g., auto mode or override mode).
• control system 100 of the present disclosure has various benefits.
• the control system 100 of the present disclosure may prevent the RF signals emitted by the vehicle from interfering with the navigation management systems of other vehicles.
• the control system 100 of the present disclosure may prevent the RF signals emitted by the vehicle from interfering with the navigation management systems of other vehicles.
• the mode of the SATCOM 200 either manually or automatically, from a high power mode to a low power mode, the strength of the RF signals emitted by the antenna 210 of the SATCOM 200 is reduced. As such, this reduces the likelihood that the RF signals emitted by the antenna 210 of the SATCOM 200 will interfere with the navigation management systems of other vehicles.
• control system 100 of the present disclosure allows the use of the SATCOM 200 for communication purposes when the SATCOM 200 is switched to the lower mode.
• switching the SATCOM 200 of the vehicle to the low power mode still allows for the use of basic data services, such as communication services.
• the vehicle is an ambulance, such as an air ambulance, passengers, drivers, or pilots of the vehicle may still communicate with hospitals or doctors to regarding a patient, which may increase the safety of the patient.
• control system 100 Although components and methods of the control system 100 are often described with respect to functional limitations, it should be understood that the particular implementations necessarily include the use of particular computing hardware.
• at least one processor may be included within the control system 100 that provides processing functionality
• memory may be included within the control system 100 that provides storage functionality
• communications circuitry may be included within the control system 100 that provides interface functionality to any of the components of the control system 100.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Traffic Control Systems (AREA)

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Citations (2)

• 2024
  • 2024-12-26 EP EP24223322.9A patent/EP4589566A1/de active Pending

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