Systems and methods for tracking objects relative to an aircraft within an air space
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Publication Number
US-12165523-B2
Publication Date
2024-12-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system includes a first sensor configured to detect an object within an air space, and output an observation signal indicative of the object within the air space. A second sensor is configured to track the object within the air space, and output a tracking signal of the object within the air space. A tracking control unit is in communication with the first sensor and the second sensor. The tracking control unit is configured to receive the observation signal from the first sensor. In response to receiving the observation signal from the first sensor, the tracking control unit is configured to operate the second sensor to track the object within the air space relative to an aircraft within the air space. The tracking control unit is also configured to determine a priority of actions to take in relation to the object based, at least in part, on the tracking signal received from the second sensor.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to systems and methods for tracking an object within an air space relative to an aircraft. A first sensor detects the object within the air space and outputs an observation signal indicative of the object, while a second sensor tracks the object within the air space and outputs a tracking signal associated with the object. A tracking control unit receives the observation signal and, in response, operates the second sensor to track the object relative to the aircraft.
The tracking control unit determines a priority of actions to take in relation to the object based on the tracking signal. The control unit confirms a first track file when the tracking signal is within a predetermined range, assigns the first track file a first priority, and determines a second track file as unconfirmed when the tracking signal is outside the predetermined range, assigning the second track file a second priority with the first priority higher than the second. This creates confirmed and unconfirmed track files managed according to assigned priorities.
In the described processing, the tracking control unit correlates observation data of the observation signal with tracking data of the tracking signal. When track files are confirmed, the control unit computes object velocity and position in the air space using both sensor modalities, with optional aircraft GPS for absolute state. The control unit also supports priority-based scheduling behavior, including adaptive confirmation and update scheduling across track files.
Claims Coverage
The document provides three independent claims: a system claim, a method claim, and an aircraft claim. Across these claims, the coverage includes operating a second sensor for tracking in response to a first sensor observation signal, assigning priorities to actions based on tracking signal range relative to track files, and confirming or unconfirming track files with a first priority higher than a second priority.
Sensor-driven tracking relative to an aircraft
In response to receiving an observation signal from a first sensor detecting an object within an air space, operate a second sensor to track the object within the air space relative to an aircraft within the air space; receive the tracking signal output by the second sensor.
Priority of actions based on tracking signal
Determine a priority of actions to take in relation to the object based on the tracking signal.
Confirmed and unconfirmed track file priority decision
Confirm a first track file in response to the tracking signal being within a predetermined range, wherein the first track file has a first priority; determine a second track file as unconfirmed in response to the tracking signal being outside the predetermined range, wherein the second track file has a second priority, and wherein the first priority is higher than the second priority.
Observation and tracking data correlation and priority-managed track files on an aircraft
Correlate observation data of the observation signal with tracking data of the tracking signal; determine a priority of actions to take in relation to the object based on the tracking signal; confirm a first track file in response to the tracking signal being within a predetermined range and determine a second track file as unconfirmed in response to the tracking signal being outside the predetermined range, with first priority higher than second priority.
Collectively, the independent claims require a tracking control unit that uses an observation signal to drive operation of a tracking sensor relative to an aircraft, then assigns an action priority based on the tracking signal and manages confirmed versus unconfirmed track files using a predetermined range comparison with a first priority higher than a second priority. The aircraft version further explicitly includes correlating observation and tracking data.
Stated Advantages
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