KTG: A Fast-Time Kinematic Trajectory Generator for Modeling and Simulation of ATM Automation Concepts and NAS-wide System Level Analysis

Journal of Air Transportation

Erzberger

2019

Trajectory Specification is a method of specifying aircraft trajectories with tolerances such that the position at any given time in flight is constrained to a precisely defined bounding space. The bounding space is defined by tolerances relative to a reference trajectory that specifies position as a function of time. The tolerances are dynamic and are based on the aircraft navigation capabilities and the traffic situation. Trajectory Specification can guarantee safe separation for an arbitrary period of time even in the event of an air traffic control (ATC) system or datalink failure. It can help to achieve the high level of safety and reliability needed for ATC automation, and it can reduce the reliance on tactical ATC backup systems during normal operation. This paper presents algorithms and software for detecting and resolving conflicts between specified trajectories in the terminal airspace serving a major airport. In a fast-time simulation of a full day of traffic in a major terminal airspace, all conflicts were resolved in near real time, demonstrating the computational feasibility and the preliminary operational feasibility of the concept.

Section: Simulation Test Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Trajectory Specification for Terminal Airspace: Conflict Detection and Resolution

Journal of Air Transportation

Erzberger

2019

“…The arrival trajectories used in this study were generated with the Kinematic Trajectory Generator (KTG), 26 which is part of the Airspace Concept Evaluation System (ACES), 27 a fast-time simulation program developed for NASA. KTG uses aircraft performance data from the Base of Aircraft Data (BADA) 28 developed by Eurocontrol.…”

Section: Application To Runway Arrival Spacingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trajectory Specification for Terminal Air Traffic: Arrival Spacing

Journal of Aerospace Information Systems

2016

"Trajectory specification" is the explicit bounding and control of aircraft trajectories such that the position at each point in time is constrained to a precisely defined volume of space. The bounding space is defined by cross-track, along-track, and vertical tolerances relative to a reference trajectory that specifies position as a function of time. The tolerances are dynamic and will be based on the aircraft navigation capabilities and the traffic situation. A standard language will be developed to represent these specifications and to communicate them by datalink. Assuming conformance, trajectory specification can guarantee safe separation for an arbitrary period of time even in the event of an air traffic control (ATC) system or datalink failure, hence it can help to achieve the high level of safety and reliability needed for automation. As a more proactive form of ATC, it can also be used to maximize airspace capacity and reduce the reliance on tactical backup systems during normal operation. It applies to both enroute airspace and the terminal area around airports, but this paper focuses on arrival spacing in the terminal area and presents maneuvers and algorithms for achieving a specified delay of runway arrival time.

“…The arrival trajectories used in this study were generated with the Kinematic Trajectory Generator (KTG), 20 which is part of the Airspace Concept Evaluation System (ACES), 21 a fast-time simulation program developed for NASA. KTG uses aircraft performance data from the Base of Aircraft Data (BADA) 22 developed by Eurocontrol.…”

Section: Application To Runway Arrival Spacingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trajectory Specification for Automation of Terminal Air Traffic Control

AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference

2016

Trajectory specification" is the explicit bounding and control of aircraft trajectories such that the position at each point in time is constrained to a precisely defined volume of space. The bounding space is defined by cross-track, along-track, and vertical tolerances relative to a reference trajectory that specifies position as a function of time. The tolerances are dynamic and will be based on the aircraft navigation capabilities and the current traffic situation. A standard language will be developed to represent these specifications and to communicate them by datalink. Assuming conformance, trajectory specification can guarantee safe separation for an arbitrary period of time even in the event of an air traffic control (ATC) system or datalink failure, hence it can help to achieve the high level of safety and reliability needed for ATC automation. As a more proactive form of ATC, it can also maximize airspace capacity and reduce the reliance on tactical backup systems during normal operation. It applies to both enroute airspace and the terminal area around airports, but this paper focuses on arrival spacing in the terminal area and presents ATC algorithms and software for achieving a specified delay of runway arrival time.