NextGen AeroSciences, LLC Seattle, Washington Williamsburg, Virginia Palo Alto, Santa Cruz, California All Rights Reserved 1
Topics Innovation Objective Scientific & Mathematical Framework Distinctions / benefits Demonstrations Applications concepts Summary Remarks Innovation Challenge: Can path-dependent optimization of deconflicted flight paths be computed fast enough for real-time management of ownship, fleets, and airspace? 2
Innovation Objective Continuous Replanning for Entire Airspace, While managing competing constraints: Safety: Seeking to be always conflict-free Economics: Seeking robust cost functions, In the presence of uncertainty, With computational speed adequate for fast-time use in airspace and aircraft management, Based on a theory of airspace CR5DT technology supports a long-standing need in airspace modeling and simulation: How to generically represent flight paths for multi-objective purposes. 3
Science & Mathematical Framework Minimum of underlying assumptions Represent Trajectory as Extended Object Trajectory paths are strings (polynomial splines), encoding flight physics Path nodes contain intent and policy constraints Paths computationally repel each other (satisfy safety objectives) Optimization pulls the paths taught (satisfy economic objectives) Fast to compute (physics and math well matched for rapid computation) Search the space for flyable paths (efficient combinatoric search) Select path sets that maintain high optionality (robust sets of solutions) Operational constraints: Trajectory separation Required Time of Arrival Minimum fuel Airspace procedures & exclusions Weather separation Acceleration limits (policies) Supersonic boom management Ride quality preferences Equipage limitations 4
CR5DT Computational Samples 1. Required Time of Arrival with Automated Sequencing 2. Conflict-Free Airspace with Emergent Traffic Patterns 3. Deconflicted airspace phase states 4. Blunderer avoidance 5
Required Time of Arrival (RTA) with Automated Sequencing What you will see: Seven aircraft (Top of screen) with STAs at arrival (Bottom of screen) Aircraft speed adjustments begin at start of flying, with goal of five-mile separation and sequencing by time of arrival (RTA) at runway threshold Satisfaction of two objectives: Separation and RTA All Rights Reserved 6
24 Aircraft: Resolved, Conflict-Free Airspace What you will see: Storms introduce noise to the computation Aircraft paths are flexing to avoid conflict and tensioning to meet end-point objectives The red streaks illustrate predicted loss of separation Conflict-free airspace end-state All Rights Reserved 7
200 Aircraft: Resolved Conflict-Free Airspace with Emergent Traffic Flow Pattern What you will see: Emergence of traffic flow pattern Aircraft paths are flexing to avoid conflict and tensioning to meet end-point objectives The red streaks illustrate predicted loss of separation Conflict-free airspace end-state All Rights Reserved 8
Deconflicted Airspace Phase States Increasing Density of Trajectories Causes Loss of Flexibility and Emergence of Traffic Physics Phase Transition from Conflict-Free to Conflicted TBO Airspace Conflict-Free Airspace Conflicted Airspace 2011 NextGen AeroSciences, LLC. All Rights Reserved Increasing Density of Trajectories 9
Blunderer Avoidance What you will see: 3-D airspace with randomly moving 3D blunderers Prescribed flight path mission objective As flown actual flight satisfying separation and economic objectives 10
CR5DT Distinctions and - FAA Benefits Emergent trajectories vs. prescribed flightpaths Emergent traffic flow phenomena - to produce airspace efficiencies Fast-time design of traffic flow configurations - to improve airspace throughput Automation of airspace management - to reduce workloads Continuous trajectory replanning vs. amended flight plans Replacing fixed contracts with continuous replanning - to improve airspace economic and capacity outcomes Managing airspace state in deconflicted form - to improve capacity Controlling airspace bulk properties - to reduce workloads Longer look-ahead times for trajectories (30-60 minutes or more) Earlier signatures of congestion - to provide more efficient TMI actions Earlier decisions on push-back times, speeds, routings - to improve capacity and economics Earlier arrival sequence planning - to improve passenger connection management 11
CR5DT Applications Domains Ownship Flight Path Optimization with Continuous Replanning e.g., FIM-A; optimization of path length, time, fuel, cost (Aircraft-centric) Continuous Fleet Economic Optimization (AOC-centric) En Route Traffic Management (ARTCC-centric) Multi-sector planning automation concepts Conflict-free sets of flight paths (long look-ahead times) Interacting Metroplex Terminal Traffic Management (TRACON-centric) Arrival /departure early warning Pre-phase transition flow control (speeds, flight paths, sequencing, merging, spacing) Gate-to-Gate Surface / Arrival-Departure Flow Integration (Airport-centric) Data Communication Link and Network Management (Flight path prediction) Fast-time Slot Auctioning (Fleet-centric) FAA Command Center Playbook Generation (NAS-wide-centric) Continuous replanning versus pages from the playbook 12
Summary Remarks Platform is based on a theory of airspace incorporating extended objects, with laws of physics and constraints The mathematical formulation and computational implementation: provides a generalized representation of flight paths that allows for emergence employs high performance combinatoric math for rapid computation of safety and economics supports extended look-ahead times, for strategic insights into regions of potential congested phase states Applications potential for (a) individual aircraft, (b) fleet-level, and (c) airspace-level modeling and simulation and solutions (systems of systems) 13
Thank You NextGen AeroSciences, LLC 14