Exploration of new algorithms for airborne collision detection and avoidance to meet NextGen capabilities

Abstract

As the aviation community moves toward the next generation air transportation system (NextGen), current airborne collision avoidance technology may become inadequate. The traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) was developed some time ago, and its ability to accommodate the air-to-air applications and air traffic control (ATC) procedures that are envisioned for NextGen is limited. There is a need to analyze the role of future NextGen technologies such as automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) in the overall collision avoidance concept and architecture. This paper will describe a MITRE research effort addressing the following three fundamental research questions: What are the desired NextGen operations that are incompatible with current TCAS? What new enabling technologies and design principles could meet the NextGen needs? What are the key functional needs that ensure enhancements and modifications do not detract from safety-the primary function of the collision avoidance system? In this paper we will discuss the technical approach applied to the research, and identify projected TCAS limitations in meeting future air-to-air applications and ATC procedures.