Interactive, Constraint-Network Prognostics & Diagnostics to Control Errors and Conflicts (IPDN)

Airport surface operations must ensure safety while increasing efficiency and throughput. Conflict detection and resolution (CD&R) detects and resolves trajectory conflicts between aircraft and ground transportation vehicles; however, current CD&R systems face various challenges. For example, manual CD&R prevents conflicts through separation assurance but underutilizes available resources. Computer-integrated CD&R notifies controllers of impending conflicts, but ultimately provides limited predictability. An improved method of conflict and error prediction and detection (CEPD) is needed to maximize efficiency of airport ground activities.

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a system based on interactive, constraint-network prognostics and diagnostics to control errors and conflicts (IPDN). IPDN is designed for systems with multiple cooperative units each configured to collaborate with other cooperative units in an environment where resources are shared. This CEPD system enables automated detection of conflicts using the relationships among cooperative units. Furthermore, IPDN enables automated, global resolution of conflicts through network analysis.

Advantages:

-Automated detection of conflicts

-Uses network analysis to resolve conflicts

Potential Applications:

-Airport surface operations

-Other types of networks

TRL: 6

Intellectual Property:

Keywords: Airport surface operations, Conflict detection and resolution, CD&R, Conflict and error prediction and detection, CEPD, Interactive constraint-network prognostics and diagnostics, IPDN, Automated conflict detection, Network analysis, Ground activities optimization, Computer Technology, Network Software, Software, System Software