Abstract: A system for correlating secondary surveillance radar (SSR) data and ACARS data which results in a real time correlation of data which are unique to the separate existing systems. More specifically, a method is provided to attach flight identification data from ACARS signals to real time SSR data from Mode S transponders. Aircraft Mode S addresses are decoded and then converted to aircraft registration numbers using an algorithm or lookup table. Registration numbers are then correlated with registration numbers from decoded ACARS signals. The result is a real-time system which may provide an aircraft's registration information, including registration number, owner, make, and model, as well as its current flight identification number, and ACARS messages. As part of an aircraft multilateration system, the system provides an independent air traffic control picture complete with aircraft position and identification by flight number without the use of active radar equipment.

Abstract: A communication system architecture (SA) for a vehicle which may be integrated into the vehicle's multiplexed electronic component communication system, and a process for communicating with the vehicle to provide information for and about the vehicle's operational status and coordinating the vehicle's activities. The communication system will include a multi-functional antenna system for the vehicle that will have the capability to receive AM/FM radio and television signals, and transmit and receive citizens band (CB) radio signals, satellite and microwave and cellular phone communications. The antenna may be installed as original equipment or as a back-fit part in the after-market. In either case the multi-functional antenna will be integrated with the vehicle's multiplexed electronic component communication system.

Abstract: A car locator system includes a hand held locator which receives information with regard to the location of a vehicle and then stores that information for display on the hand held locator. The hand held locator could be a key fob having buttons to command operation to the vehicle. When a command signal is transmitted to the vehicle, the vehicle then transmits its position location to the hand held location for storage. In this way, an operator will be able to have an indication of the location of the vehicle. The vehicle can communicate with GPS satellites to determine its location, or may communicate with ground based local transmitters. The ground based local transmitters can be programmed to provide an indication of the location of the vehicle within a parking lot.

Abstract: A method for a subject vehicle to avoid collisions is provided. At least one lane feeding into an intersection is scanned. The presence of a threat vehicle in the at least one lane is detected. Whether the subject vehicle and the threat vehicle will occupy the intersection at the same time is predicted. A warning is issued in response to the predicting.

Abstract: A route guidance system for a pedestrian. An input unit inputs a departure point and a destination point of the pedestrian. A route data memory stores route data representing position and connection of each route comprising a road network. A route calculation unit calculates a route from the departure point to the destination point by referring to the route data in said route data memory. A landmark memory stores landmark data for the pedestrian's confirmation; a landmark represents a signpost of the departure point, the destination point, and the route. A landmark selection unit selects the landmark data corresponding to the route calculated by said route calculation unit from said landmark memory. A presentation unit presents a route guidance to the pedestrian using the calculated route and the selected landmark data.

Abstract: A vehicle follow-up control apparatus includes a distance sensor sensing an actual vehicle-to-vehicle distance from a controlled vehicle to a preceding vehicle, a vehicle speed sensor sensing an actual vehicle speed of the controlled vehicle, and a controller for calculating a desired vehicle speed to be achieved in the controlled vehicle. The desired vehicle speed is calculated in accordance with the actual vehicle-to-vehicle distance, the relative speed and a control gain which is adjusted in accordance with the relative speed.

Abstract: Man-machine interface (MMI) for airport traffic control purposes, in particular for safe taxiing and/or approach-departure control at an airport, having a display area on which processes and states at the airport, for example the movements and the current position of aircraft, the switching state of lighting systems, etc., can be displayed and influenced. The display area is designed with a screen whose diagonal is more than 19 inches, preferably more than 21 inches.

Abstract: A data management system and method that enables acquisition, integration and management of real-time data generated at different rates, by multiple, heterogeneous incompatible data sources. The system achieves this functionality by using an expert system to fuse data from a variety of airline, airport operations, ramp control, and air traffic control tower sources, to establish and update reference data values for every aircraft surface operation. The system may be configured as a real-time airport surface traffic management system (TMS) that electronically interconnects air traffic control, airline data and airport operations data to facilitate information sharing and improve taxi queuing. In the TMS operational mode, empirical data shows substantial benefits in ramp operations for airlines, reducing departure taxi times by about one minute per aircraft in operational use, translating as $12 to $15 million per year savings to airlines at the Atlanta, Georgia airport.

Abstract: In a path determining section, an optimum path is calculated based on detection/storage information of a position detector, airport surface information storage section, aircraft information storage section and knowledge information storage section according to an instruction request from a request information input section of an aircraft and is indicated by a path indicator of the aircraft. Further, a collision determining section calculates the possibility of collision on the optimum path obtained in the path determining section according to the coordinates and traveling directions of all of the aircraft based on the above detection/storage information and a warning is indicated by a warning indicator of the aircraft.

Abstract: An apparatus and techniques for correlating crossing targets in an air traffic control system is described. The technique utilizes a target/track correlation made on the basis of three conditions: (1) separation distance between a target pair; (2) target polarity and (3) a value of a threshold separation value indicator.

Abstract: An error in road data is compensated for to correctly determine an actual road shape and to carry out a precise vehicle control on the basis of the determined road shape. A deviation .DELTA..theta.V between an azimuth angle .theta.V of movement of a vehicle and an azimuth angle .theta.1 of a road connecting a node N.sub.0 behind the position of the vehicle and a node N.sub.1 ahead of the position of the vehicle, or a deviation .DELTA..theta.V between the azimuth angle .theta.V of movement of a vehicle and an azimuth angle .theta.1 of a road connecting the position of the vehicle and the node N.sub.1 ahead of the position of the vehicle, is calculated. When the deviation .DELTA..theta.V is equal to or greater than a reference value it is determined that there is an error in the position of the node N.sub.1, and the road shape presumed from the road data is corrected to the actual road shape.

Abstract: A remote tracking and sensing device (20) includes a global positioning system receiver (22). A processor (24) receives a position signal from the global positioning system receiver (22). A communication interface (30) connects the processor (24) to at least two wireless communication systems (26, 28). A power management system (32) provides power to the processor (24) based on an output (38) from a motion sensor (40).

Abstract: A method and system supporting seamless 3-dimensional operations in a multi-dimensional environment using orbiting satellite compatible coordinate references and databases. The system includes a control and management element and an aircraft/surface vehicle element. The two elements utilize a common worldwide coordinate reference frame and a common time reference for its operation. Precise collision detection, navigation and 3-dimensional situational awareness functions are performed using precise vector processing algorithms in combination compatible databases. Seamless air and ground operations are supported in such a fashion that the overall processing mathematics are directly applicable anywhere around the globe, only the specific databases need change for any given site. No regional distance scaling corrections or discontinuity compensations are required from site to site anywhere around the globe. Such a system greatly simplifies the operation of airports and other 4-dimensional environments.

Abstract: This is a Mode S radio frequency transmission system with coordinated use of a rotating directional antenna and omnidirectional antennas. A software-implemented prefilter both processes messages destined for aircraft equipped with Mode S datalink capable transponders, and prevents any uplink message transmission to a transponder from coinciding with the once-per-scan surveillance interrogation from the rotating antenna as well as any datalink interrogations specified for transmission through the rotating antenna.

Abstract: An aircraft local-area augmentation system that employs a differential global positioning system (GPS) to assist aircraft (102) landing is disclosed. One or more GPS ground stations (120), each including at least two GPS receivers (122) and a datalink transmitter (126), calculate and transmit GPS correction data to an aircraft (102). An aircraft (102) employs a GPS receiver (106) for receiving ranging signals (112) from GPS satellites (108), and a datalink receiver (116) for receiving GPS correction data and other information from a GPS ground station (120). The aircraft (102) further includes a data processor (110) for determining a global position of the aircraft (102) as a function of the aircraft GPS pseudorange data and the GPS correction data. The system minimizes the introduction of non-common errors by the use of double-differencing calculations using multiple combinations of satellite (108) and GPS ground station receiver (122).

Abstract: A GNSS Based Multi-Dimensional Control and Management System for vehicles operating in a multi-dimensional environment is disclosed. GNSS compatible techniques provide for a seamless airport independent four (4) dimensional vehicular management capability. The system utilizes precise 3-dimensional maps, the Earth Centered Earth Fixed (ECEF) WGS-84 coordinate reference frame, local coordinate frames such as local and state plane grids, zone-based management processing, automated airport lighting control, collision prediction and avoidance processing, 4-dimensional waypoint navigation, and air traffic control and vehicle situational awareness through global management processes that allow for the safe and efficient management of an airport in the air and one the ground. The management methods and processes are also applicable to vehicles and aircraft operating in the airport space envelope as well as other remote user sites with or without the assistance of the air traffic controller.

Abstract: An intervehicle distance control system for automotive vehicles is provided which includes a laser scanning type distance sensor for scanning a laser beam in a width-wise direction of a system vehicle to determine relative positions and relative angles of objects within a forward detectable zone and determines same lane probabilities that the objects exist in the same lane of a road as the system vehicle using a variable probability distribution based on the relative positions and the relative angles of the objects. A target preceding vehicle is then selected from the objects based on the same lane probabilities for controlling the speed of the system vehicle to maintain a distance to the target preceding vehicle constant.

Abstract: A method of identifying an object and determining in which of at least two areas the object is located is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: focusing a first directional antenna (18) on a first area (28a), focusing a second directional antenna on a second area (28b), transmitting a first field strength pulse (44) from said first directional antenna (18), transmitting a second field strength pulse (46) from said second directional antenna (18), and comparing in a transponder (14) the first field strength pulse (44) to the second field strength pulse (46) to determine in which of the two areas (28a,28b) the transponder (14) is located. Other devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and a method for detection of oil spills and icebergs at sea and for aiding the navigation of ship traffic to avoid collisions between ships and icebergs. A constellation of polar orbiting satellites is used to determine the position of icebergs and oil spills within an observation area, and this information is transmitted to a data processing center which also receives information concerning the position of ships within the observation area. The data processing center uses this information to evaluate the likelihood of collisions between ship and icebergs and sends warning signals to the ships, alerting them to the danger. The data processing center also correlates the position of ships and oil spills to determine the likely cause of the latter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combined ground and satellite system for global aircraft surveillance, navigation, landing guidance and collision avoidance which comprises a satellite subsystem consisting of both a satellite constellation and associated ground stations, and a ground subsystem consisting of a network of ground stations, together with an airborne subsystem comprised of a transponder unit located in each of the aircraft using the system. A high speed two-way data link is provided between each of the subsystems using spread spectrum technology to permit overlaying and operation of the system in an existing band of narrow channels with minimum mutual interference. The system of the invention is reliable because of the redundant subsystems, and is not subject to failure. Also, the system provides for computations to be made on the ground, rather than in the aircraft, thereby reducing the size and complexity of the airborne equipment.

Abstract: An embedded system controller-based vehicle tracking system using vehicle positioning. An embedded system controller controls a traffic intersection using an optical system. The embedded system controller receives a vehicle location and a vehicle schedule. The embedded system controller calculates whether the vehicle is on time and reports the on-time status to the driver interface. The driver may -request that the system report a panic or emergency situation to the dispatch center through an external data communications network. The external data communications network may also send vehicle status, such as vehicle position and vehicle condition. A transit company using the system may provide vehicles equipped with the vehicle tracking system with schedules on a daily basis, using a portable data transfer device. The embedded system controller also communicates to the vehicle data network for the communication of vehicle position.

Abstract: An improved airport control/management system for controlling and managing the surface and airborne movement of vehicular and aircraft within a defined and selected airport space envelope of an airport, the traffic, comprising apparatus for establishing a precise 3-dimensional digital map of the selected airport space envelope, the map containing GNSS positioning system reference points, a computer with a monitor screen for receiving and displaying the 3-dimensional map, transmit and receive radio equipment located on at least one vehicle/aircraft in the airport space envelope to generate and transmit continuous GNSS-based location reports a receiver associated with the computer to receive the reports from the vehicle/aircraft, programming associated with the computer and using the reports to superimpose 3-dimensional image corresponding to a path of the vehicle/aircraft onto the 3-dimensional map, apparatus associated with the 3-dimensional map for generating airport control and management signals as a funct

Abstract: An automatic dependent surveillance (ADS) system for tracking aircraft includes a GPS navigation receiver for determining the position of an aircraft, a Mode S transponder for transmitting the position of the aircraft, and a Mode S receiving station for receiving the aircraft's position and for determining the position of the transmitting aircraft relative to other aircraft and the ground. The Mode S position information is broadcast as a squitter on a random time basis having a present average transmission rate, or in response to an interrogation signal from a Mode S receiving station. The Mode S receiver can be another aircraft, an en route ground station, and/or a terminal ground station. The en route ground station can include a multi-sector receiving antenna with each sector connected to a separate Mode S receiver. The terminal ground station can include an omni-directional antenna connected to a Mode S receiver.

Abstract: An improved airport control/management system for controlling and managing the surface and airborne movement of vehicular and aircraft within a defined and selected airport space envelope of an airport, the traffic, comprising apparatus for establishing a precise 3-dimensional digital map of the selected airport space envelope, the map containing GNSS positioning system reference points, a computer with a monitor screen for receiving and displaying the 3-dimensional map, transmit and receive radio equipment located on at least one vehicle/aircraft in the airport space envelope to generate and transmit continuous GNSS-based location reports, a receiver associated with the computer to receive the reports from the vehicle/aircraft, programming associated with the computer and using the reports to superimpose 3-dimensional image corresponding to a path of the vehicle/aircraft onto the 3-dimensional map, apparatus associated with the 3-dimensional map for generating airport control and management signals as a func

Abstract: A two-way packet radio-based electronic toll collection system is to be installed on a highway and includes a main communication tower for transmitting continuously downlink communication packets that contain information regarding available uplink communication channels, and an in-vehicle unit installed in each vehicle passing along the highway to receive the downlink communication packets. The in-vehicle unit is capable of selecting one of the available uplink communication channels. The in-vehicle unit and the main communication tower exchange toll collecting and payment information wirelessly via the available uplink communication channel selected by the in-vehicle unit and a downlink communication channel corresponding thereto. When collision occurs along the packets transmitted by a number of in-vehicle units, a retransmission scheme is applied for each in-vehicle unit to guarantee successful communication between the tower and the in-vehicle unit.

Abstract: Communication devices and communication network techniques are employed to meet safety-critical, operational requirements for train location and control in railroad and public transit applications. On-board and trackside communication radios participate in a synchronous, time-slotted communication network, providing contentionless and highly responsive access to all participants. Encrypted, validated, and error protected communication links provide reliable and redundant transfer of information among the train, trackside, and control station radios. Spread spectrum communication techniques enable range measurements between all participants. These wireless communication links relay train range measurements to control or processing stations and relay control information (principally speed commands) from the processing stations to the trains. High resolution position location is determined along elevated, at-grade, and in-tunnel tracks using wireless methods and sparse device placement.

Abstract: An airport surface traffic surveillance and automation system addresses a wide variety of airport surface conflict scenarios using a combination of runway-status lights, controller alerts, and enhanced controller displays. Runway-status lights, composed of runway-entrance lights and takeoff-hold lights, provide alerts directly to pilots and vehicle operators, to prevent runway incursions before they happen. Controller alerts are used to direct a controller's attention to existing conflicts between aircraft on or near the runways. Enhanced displays present symbology to describe aircraft position, size, direction and speed of motion, altitude, aircraft flight number, and equipment type. Aircraft on approach to runways are also depicted on the displays.

Abstract: In a vehicle presence detection system for controlling traffic signal lights at a road intersection, the vehicle detection is performed by targeting vehicles at the location of interest with an FMCW radar beam. The radar can be switched repeatedly between the FMCW mode, for vehicle presence detection, and a doppler mode, for vehicle movement detection. Signal data representing the background of the scene viewed by the radar beam are stored for use by circuitry that determines whether an apparent vehicle presence detect is a true vehicle detect; the background signal data is repeatedly updated, as necessary, as the system cycles. Temperature compensation is provided and entry into the FMCW mode is inhibited if a voltage-controlled oscillator provided for generating the emissions has not settled down after any such compensation.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for providing information which may be used in making traffic management decisions for limited access highways is disclosed. The method and apparatus employs microwave radar to obtain information bearing signals which are processed to determine the vehicle direction and speed. The apparatus includes the capability of emulating in-the-road or on-the-road sensors to provide output pulse pairs which appear as if generated by switch closures. The method and apparatus also has the capability of providing "wake-up" signals commensurate with a predetermined number of consecutive vehicles which pass a preselected point traveling at an abnormally low speed. Because the method and apparatus are vehicle direction sensitive, the capability of monitoring traffic flow by looking across lanes is also present.

Abstract: A railway traffic control system in which accurate vehicle information is effectively available in real-time to facilitate control of traffic flow. Unlike prior art methods of precisely monitoring train location, the current invention is dependant only on equipment on-board the vehicle and position updates provided by external benchmarks located along the track route. The system's dynamic motion capabilities can also be used to sense and store track rail signatures, as a function of rail distance, which can be routinely analyzed to assist in determining rail and road-bed conditions for preventative maintenance purposes. In presently preferred embodiments, the on-board vehicle information detection equipment comprises an inertial measurement unit providing dynamic vehicle motion information to a position processor.

Abstract: A transponder location and tracking system having a phased array antenna mounted at a toll collection station includes a plurality of antenna array elements for receiving a signal from a transponder mounted on a vehicle and for providing a plurality of antenna element electrical signals. A plurality of phase detectors are provided for comparing the phase of the electrical signals to provide a plurality of phase difference signals. A plurality of angle-of-arrival calculation processors is provided for converting the phase difference signals to spatial signals to define the angles-of-arrival of the vehicle transponder signal. A position calculation processor is included for providing an output signal representative of the location of the vehicle in response to the defined angles-of-arrival. In a preferred embodiment, the transponder location and tracking system includes a plurality of receiver processing devices for amplifying and filtering the electrical signals from each antenna element.

Abstract: A system to control sea navigation or traffic of a plurality of ships or moving bodies is disclosed. The system comprises a radio navigation reference system comprising at least two reference beacon sources and a navigation central station M. Said central station M, the reference beacon sources and the ships or moving bodies are provided with a first intercommunication means from said central station M to each reference beacon source, said first intercommunication means being synchronized by said central station M, and a second intercommunication means from said central station and each reference beacon source to each ship or moving body.

Abstract: A computer method is disclosed for accurately transforming multiple radar observations of aircraft into a common coordinate system for air traffic control applications. The method involves a transformation from radar observables of the target slant range, azimuth and altitude to the target position coordinates in a stereographic system plane for display. The method includes a conformal coordinate conversion process from geodetic to conformal spherical coordinates followed by a conformal stereographic projection process onto a system display plane. The resulting display of aircraft position on the system plane is more accurate than has been available in the prior art.

Abstract: An aircraft locating system identifies on a TV format radar display the position of a specific aircraft based on an RF transmission from the aircraft on an RF channel. The locating system includes at least a pair of receive stations located within several miles of an airport and separated by a base line which is in near proximity to at least one runway at the airport or a theoretical extension thereof. Each receive station includes a passive receiver for determining a bearing angle to a source of RF on the RF channel for generating a signal representative of the bearing angle.The locating system further includes a processor which is responsive to bearing angle signals derived from the receive stations for generating line count and line delay information. The line count and line delay information correlate a position determined by the bearing angle signals from at least a pair of receive stations with a frame of reference of the TV display.

Abstract: A simple active/passive proximity warning system for an Own station that uses differential time of arrival values, direct time of arrival values, and differential altitude values determined from 1030 MHz interrogations from ground-based SSRs and Own station and 1090 MHz transponder replies from Other stations to identify threats is disclosed. The invention combines a passive detection system and an active detection system into an integrated system that overcomes the limitations present when either type of system is used by itself. Generally speaking, the passive system identifies threats and produces a threat alert when the differential altitude value and the largest time of arrival value associated with an Other station are below predetermined values. A preferred embodiment of the active system monitors the environment for SSR density, classifies the environment into a plurality of "cases", and automatically selects in response thereto one of a plurality of control modes.