Automated separation assurance and collision avoidance functions in the CNS+A context

The introduction of automated separation assurance and collision avoidance functions in Next Generation Flight Management Systems (NG-FMS) has the potential to provide a pathway for manned/unmanned aircraft coexistence in all classes of airspace. The NG-FMS is designed to be fully interoperable with a ground based 4DT Planning, Negotiation and Validation (4-PNV) system, enabling automated Trajectory/Intent-Based as well as Performance-Based Operations (TBO/IBO and PBO). In the Communication, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management and Avionics (CNS+A) context, 4-Dimensional Trajectory (4DT) optimisation algorithms are employed in the NG-FMS and 4-PNV system allowing planning and optimisation of 4DT intents for strategic, tactical and emergency tasks After describing the NG-FMS architecture, novel algorithms developed for a unified approach to separation assurance and collision avoidance are presented. In this method, navigation and tracking errors affecting the host aircraft platform and intruder sensor measurements are translated to unified range and bearing uncertainty descriptors. Key aspects of the Human Machine Interface and Interaction (HMI²) design for self-separation and collision avoidance are also presented. Simulation case studies are carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach in both cooperative and non-cooperative scenarios. Results corroborate the validity of the unified approach and demonstrate its impact towards providing a cohesive logical framework for the development of an airworthy separation assurance and collision avoidance capability.