Abstract:
An earth based locating and map dissemination system wherein the locations of mobile objects in a monitored area are identified and then broadcast throughout the monitored area. Each mobile object being tracked in the monitored area carries a unique ID code device. A master ground station in a monitored area contains apparatus for paging each of the unique ID codes in the given area. The positions of each of the mobile objects carrying a unique ID code device may be determined by a bearing determination or a time delay determination based on the response to the paged signal. Alternatively, the page signal response may include the location coordinates of the mobile object as determined by a navigational system carried by the mobile object. The master ground station collects the position information for all of the mobile objects in the given area and then transmits those positions in a file throughout the given area. The position file information is coordinate encoded so that it may be superposed on a map of the area. In addition to the position files, the master ground station can transmit reference information that is also coordinate encoded. Further in addition to the position file, velocities of the mobile objects can be determined and distributed along with as predicted positions of the mobile objects based on their present position and velocity.
Abstract:
A collision avoidance arrangement where aircraft transmits and receives radio signals modulated by a digital pulse sequence (34), if a potential collision is detected (35) the arrangement is adapted to transmit and receive interrogation radio signals and from these signals each aircraft estimates the closing speed of the aircraft (36) and then determines the range between the aircraft (37), and the arrangement also being adapted such that each aircraft transmits to the other the estimate of the closing speed calculated aboard the aircraft and then averages the estimates of the closing speed from each aircraft to obtain a more accurate value for the closing speed of the aircraft.
Abstract:
In order to increase the effective warning, the locatability and hence the safety in the operation of aircraft in a process and device for preventing aircraft collisions in which a light flash warning device on the aircraft which has at least one light source generates periodic flashes, a first light source emits flashes at a constant frequency and a second emits flashes with a variable frequency.
Abstract:
A system for displaying a warning zone or menacing aircraft in an apparatus for preventing collision of aircraft, which simply and inexpensively offers data necessary for safety navigation of aircraft, in relation to the warning zone of aircraft, as well as positions and flying paths of other aircraft approaching with probability of collision. The system easily and inexpensively offers data necessary for safety navigation of aircraft, in relation to the warning zone of aircraft, positions and flying paths of other aircraft approaching with probability of collision, by changing the shape of the warning zone to a required shape depending upon the speed of own aircraft, and by changing the range of displaying menacing aircraft depending upon the ascending angle or descending angle of own aircraft, and displaying the detected data on the distance and azimuth of other aircraft in terms of a predetermined afterglow time.
Abstract:
A satellite based air traffic control (ATC) system includes an aircraft unit (18) on an aircraft and an ATC facility (48). The aircraft unit (18) includes an AARTS processor (28), GPS receivers (20, 22), a comparator (24) for comparing the GPS data, a two-way radio (44) and a transmitter (32) and receiver (33) for communicating information over a data link with the ATC facility (48). The ATC facility (18) includes an ATC computer (66), a two-way radio (52), a display (70) for displaying aircraft and a transmitter (61) and receiver (60) for communicating information and data over the data link. The aircraft transmits aircraft identification information, GPS data, aircraft status information and a transmit detect code to the ATC facility (48) to allow the ATC to track the aircraft and identify the aircraft communicating on two-way radio (52). The traffic control system and a flight control system utilizing GPS may be used for aircraft in the air and on ground and may be used for ships, boats, automobiles, trains or railroads.
Abstract:
An aircraft collision potential warning system in which each aircraft includes means for transmitting pulse sequences, in pseudo random or random fashion and on a common frequency, which include aircraft identification and altitude information. Each aircraft further includes means to receive and process incoming signals from other aircraft and, on the basis of the altitude information, discard those signals not within a collision potential altitude range. If a signal is within a collision potential altitude range, interrogation is effected specifically to the identified signal source and the closing speed between the two aircraft is determined. If the rate of change of closing speed is below a set figure, a collision potential exists.
Abstract:
A system and method for extending the useful life of anti-collision lights (100) comprising inert gas flash tubes and which are included on commercial, military, and business jet aircraft. When the aircraft is cruising in high altitude tightly controlled airspace (18) (where instrument flight rules are controlling, i.e., at altitudes above 18,000 feet), and when the aircraft is not undergoing a substantial change in altitude, the power input (58) to the anti-collision lights (100) is reduced. The reduction in the power provides a significant increase in the useful life of the flash tube while causing only a slight reduction in the intensity of the light output of the flash tube.
Abstract:
An alarm restraining system in an apparatus for preventing collision of aircraft which restrains useless alarms produced by the apparatus responsive to signals from other approaching aircraft that are flying at a lower altitude and that are virtually not likely to collide during the takeoff or landing. The system restrains useless alarm that may be produced responsive to signals emitted from other aircraft that are staying in the airfield or that are running along the runway, by decreasing an alarm limit value or by setting it to zero on the side of lower altitudes, by estimating the atmospheric pressure in the nearby airport based upon the altitude data on the aircraft and the data on atmospheric pressure, and further relying upon the altitude value found from the above estimated value and the data on atmospheric pressure contained in the response signals from other aircraft, upon the data on atmospheric pressure in the nearby airport received from the airport center, and upon the altitude value based upon the data on atmospheric pressure contained in the response signals from other aircraft.
Abstract:
In a method of detecting a collision risk and preventing air collisions, it is proposed that probabilities should be calculated for the likely presence of one's own aircraft in predetermined sectors at a number of selected times (probabilities of presence) and these probabilities for one's own aircraft and those for other objects should be used to calculate the probabilities of one's own aircraft and at least one of the other objects being present simultaneously in a given sector (probability of collision) for the predetermined sectors and selected times.
Abstract:
In a process and device for preventing bird-strikes on aircraft with at least one light source on the aircraft which is a discharge lamp and with a control device which varies the frequency of the light flashes generated within at least one cycle time, a simple and economic design is obtained which reduces the power losses, allocates a supply device to at least one light source consisting of at least one voltage transformer and at least one first capacitor and the voltage transformer provides a constant power at varying frequencies of the flashes generated.