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Concept formulation studies of the surveillance apects of the fourth generation air traffic control system

Published in:
MIT Lincoln Laboratory Report ATC-7

Summary

This report presents a first order feasibility study of four particular candidate surveillance systems for the fourth generation air traffic control system. No attempts has been made to compare these systems, rather we have chosen to examine in detail the most crucial aspects of each. This analysis has brought to light many of the features of these systems. These are detailed along with the research and development required to select the most attractive surveillance system.
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Summary

This report presents a first order feasibility study of four particular candidate surveillance systems for the fourth generation air traffic control system. No attempts has been made to compare these systems, rather we have chosen to examine in detail the most crucial aspects of each. This analysis has brought to...

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Concept formulation studies of the control aspects of the fourth generation air traffic control system, final report

Summary

A concept formulation study of the control aspects of the fourth generation air traffic control system is presented. The results of this study are not strongly influenced by present-day equipment. They are influenced by certain aspects of present airspace utilization and procedures which appear necessary for the design of an effective system. The inputs to the control system design include the fourth generation air traffic demand, characteristics of fixed elements (types of aircraft, etc.), and disturbances such as weather effects. The control system which has been formulated includes flight plan generation, flow control, conformance monitoring, and collision avoidance as control functions. A baseline control system is given as a first iteration of the fourth generation system. The baseline system is defined by classifying types of airspace, conformance requirements, and required segregation of classes of flight paths. The airspace is divided into three categories: positive control air space containing only controlled aircraft, controlled (mixed) air space containing both controlled and cooperative aircraft, and uncontrolled airspace containing uncontrolled aircraft. Cooperative aircraft must be able to accept IPC co-ands as well as simplified flight plans when flying in high density retied air space. The surveillance, navigation, and communications systems complete the interacting parts of the control system. Candidate fourth generation system concepts ranging from the completely tactical to the highly strategic have been described both in this report and elsewhere. In order to characterize a proposed concept we have drawn up a list of decisions which we find must be made in the course of a flight. We then consider where these decisions are made and thereby characterize the system. The feasibility of generating conflict free flight plans is investigated with the aid of analytical models. A consideration of the factors which influence the flight planning process is presented. Use is made of a generally accepted traffic density model for the 1995 time period. The expected number of conflicts for selected routes and the distances required to resolve conflicts are evaluated. The use of aircraft performance characteristics in evaluating the effectiveness of conflict resolution maneuvers is discussed. The level of conformance necessary for conflict free flight plans is determined for each maneuver. For cases in which the required conformance was unrealistically high, it was determined that providing velocity structure in high density airspace permitted a decrease in conformance requirements. Factors which directly influence the capability of aircraft to conform to flight plans in a strategic system as well as the relevant technology areas peculiar to the implementation of conflict free flight plans are considered. The conclusions reached during this study are followed by recommendations for future work in specific areas.
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Summary

A concept formulation study of the control aspects of the fourth generation air traffic control system is presented. The results of this study are not strongly influenced by present-day equipment. They are influenced by certain aspects of present airspace utilization and procedures which appear necessary for the design of an...

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Concept formulation studies of the control aspects of the fourth generation air traffic control system, interim report

Published in:
Project Report ATC-2, MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Summary

To develop plans for a viable ATC system over the next 25 years a whole spectrum of studies can be conducted, each concerned with a different time frame. The spectrum, when laid out over time, is bracketed by two extreme cases. 1. One extreme is analysis of the present ATC system to identify its shortcomings, followed by synthesis studies to identify evolutionary ways of overcoming these shortcomings. 2. At the other extreme one can study the ATC system sufficiently far into the future that decisions need not be constrained by existing equipment, airspace utilization and procedures. Between these two extremes are other studies concerned with developing plans for intermediate time frames. To be effective, study (1) must be done immediately. Study (2) should precede many of the studies for intermediate time frames since the results of study (2) should be available to influence what is done in intervening periods. In this report we view the Fourth Generation Concept Formulation Study as study (2). Thus the results are not strongly influenced by present day equipment and are influenced by present airspace utilization and procedures only where they appear to be as good or better than other ways of operating the system. The ATC system is designed to fulfill certain needs of the nation. To satisfy those needs the ATC system must achieve specific objectives. The major objective of the system is to provide safe, expeditious flow of air traffic at reasonable cost. It is generally accepted that to achieve this objective certain functions in the area of surveillance, navigation, and communication must be performed and that considerable data processing in the ATC system is required. The examination of ways of achieving various performance levels of these functions is the subject of concept formulation in -- the areas of surveillance, navigation, communication and data processing. Given that the surveillance, communication, and navigation functions are performed, there are other functions which are required in order to achieve the objectives of the ATC system. These functions, which include flow control, metering, sequencing, spacing, conformance and hazard monitoring, and conflict and hazard resolution make up the control aspects of the ATC system. In terms of the operation of the ATC system the surveillance, communication and navigation functions must be performed if the control functions are to be performed. In terms of the design of the system, however, the surveillance, communication, and navigation functions cannot be specified in detail until the required control functions are determined in detail. Thus, studies in the control area must be performed in a timely manner in order to insure that studies in the other areas will be conducted at a high level of efficiency. Control studies seek to determine the detailed characteristics of the functions which will be performed to achieve the objectives of the ATC system.
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Summary

To develop plans for a viable ATC system over the next 25 years a whole spectrum of studies can be conducted, each concerned with a different time frame. The spectrum, when laid out over time, is bracketed by two extreme cases. 1. One extreme is analysis of the present ATC...

READ MORE

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