A method of controlling an aircraft electrical taxiing system, the method comprising the steps of: defining a target value (Ld_nmax) for an electrical parameter; generating a nominal force command (Cmd_nom) for the electrical taxiing system; in parallel with generating the nominal force command (Cmd_nom), using a processing system (2) to produce a maximum command force (Force_max) for the electrical taxiing system so that a real value of the electrical parameter reaches the target value (Ld_nmax), the processing system (2) comprising a regulator loop (4); and generating an optimized force command (Cmd_opt) for the electrical taxiing system equal to the smaller of the nominal force command and the maximum command force.

A management software is provided for assisting air traffic control personnel with planning and monitoring aircraft departures and arrivals with regards to one or more airspaces, such as a terminal airspace predefined about an airport. Airspace output data structures are generated by an algorithm included in the management software and coded to a non-transitory computer-readable medium. A system for returning the airspace output data structures includes the management software, the medium, and a processor for executing computer code of the software. The airspace output data structures may include one or more of (a) modeled trajectories based in part on predetermined preferences provided by airline vendors, (b) adjusted departure times for departing aircraft, and (c) departing and arriving trajectory adjustments. A method of assisting personnel in managing aircraft includes the steps of modeling trajectories, comparing the trajectories, and adjusting departure times or trajectories to resolve proximity concerns between airborne aircraft.

A management software is provided for assisting air traffic control personnel with planning and monitoring aircraft departures and arrivals with regards to one or more airspaces, such as a terminal airspace predefined about an airport. Airspace output data structures are generated by an algorithm included in the management software and coded to a non-transitory computer-readable medium. A system for returning the airspace output data structures includes the management software, the medium, and a processor for executing computer code of the software. The airspace output data structures may include one or more of (a) modeled trajectories based in part on predetermined preferences provided by airline vendors, (b) adjusted departure times for departing aircraft, and (c) departing and arriving trajectory adjustments. A method of assisting personnel in managing aircraft includes the steps of modeling trajectories, comparing the trajectories, and adjusting departure times or trajectories to resolve proximity concerns between airborne aircraft.

A method implemented using at least one processor includes receiving a plurality of images acquired from a plurality of image sensors disposed on a vehicle configured to engage an aircraft for ground operations. The method further includes determining at least one parameter about a potential obstacle based on the plurality of images and a machine vision algorithm. The method also includes generating an alert signal based on the at least one parameter, useful for avoiding collision of the aircraft.

The invention relates to systems, methods and computer readable medium to construct map(s) of an aerodrome mapping database (AMDB). A method digitizes imagery for constructing AMDB, including entering data of the imagery into computer memory, displaying the imagery on a computer, displaying user selectable predefined target feature types that correspond to features of the imagery on the computer screen, displaying user selectable attributes of each of the predefined target feature types, automatically populating each predefined target feature type with subfeatures, associating attributes with each predefined target feature type and subfeature, snapping each predefined target feature type to coincide with the center of a pixel to provide predictability of horizontal accuracy, displaying a Bézier curve template to align a curved part of a predefined target feature type to a curved part of the imagery producing a digitized map and storing the digitized map in an AMDB.

Disclosed are an airport control decision support system and method based on semantic recognition of a controller instruction. The system includes a speech acquisition module, a noise processing module, a speech recognition module, a semantic recognition module, a conflict recognition module, and an alarm display terminal. The system can effectively eliminate accidents and potential accidents thereof caused by human factors in a control process, and can improve safety of aircraft ground operation. Different from ordinary speech recognition and semantic recognition, data annotation of pronunciation and intonation is performed based on special pronunciation of air traffic control, and finally a speech database that conforms to airport control standard phrases is constructed. The airport control decision support system is implemented by installing a speech acquisition device and the alarm display terminal in a control seat, and thus the system is economical and practical.

An aircraft includes an engine, a thrust reverser, landing gear, a brake system, a pilot input device, and a control system. The engine is configured to generate thrust directed to move the aircraft in a forward direction. The landing gear includes wheels. The brake system is configured to generate a braking force on the wheels. The pilot input device is positioned for use by a pilot of the aircraft. The control system is programmed to: determine whether the taxi operations are allowed; receive a request to achieve and hold a taxi speed at a desired taxi speed from the pilot input device; and command the engine, the thrust reverser, and the brake system to achieve and maintain the desired taxi speed in response to receiving the request to hold taxi speed only when the taxi operations are allowed.

The present invention relates to a method for guiding an aircraft over an airport taxiway which is carried out by a data-processing device of a guiding system, wherein said method comprises the steps of determining (E1) at least one possible future path of the aircraft according to the topography of the taxiway in the vicinity of the aircraft, receiving (E2) at least one command relating to the path for the aircraft to follow, selecting (E3) a path to follow from said possible future paths that have been determined and, on the basis of said received command, guiding (E4) the aircraft along the selected path to follow. When the aircraft is in a region of the taxiway for free manoeuvring in which said aircraft can move freely, said possible future paths that have been determined are paths that correspond to a set of predefined radii of curvature, said received command is a command that relates to a radius of curvature, and the selected path to follow is the possible future path that corresponds to the requested radius of curvature.

Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft. The processor can also calculate a merit for each potential destination identified, select a destination based upon the merit; receive terrain data and/or obstacle data, the including terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s); and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination, the route accounting for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s). The processor can also cause the aircraft to traverse the route, and cause the aircraft to land at the destination without requiring pilot intervention.

An airfield sign that includes a dynamic display area.