Analysis of the geometric altimetry to support aircraft optimal trajectories within the future 4d trajectory management

Over the past few years, the common practice within air traffic management has been that commercial aircraft fly by following a set of predefined routes to reach their destination. Currently, aircraft operators are requesting more flexibility to fly according to their prefer- ences, in order to achieve their business objectives. Due to this reason, much research effort is being invested in developing different techniques which evaluate aircraft optimal trajectory and traffic synchronisation. Also, the inefficient use of the airspace using barometric altitude overall in the landing and takeoff phases or in Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) trajectories where currently it is necessary introduce the necessary reference setting (QNH or QFE). To solve this problem and to permit a better airspace management born the interest of this research. Where the main goals will be to evaluate the impact, weakness and strength of the use of geometrical altitude instead of the use of barometric altitude. Moreover, this dissertation propose the design a simplified trajectory simulator which is able to predict aircraft trajectories. The model is based on a three degrees of freedom aircraft point mass model that can adapt aircraft performance data from Base of Aircraft Data, and meteorological information. A feature of this trajectory simulator is to support the improvement of the strategic and pre-tactical trajectory planning in the future Air Traffic Management. To this end, the error of the tool (aircraft Trajectory Simulator) is measured by comparing its performance variables with actual flown trajectories obtained from Flight Data Recorder information. The trajectory simulator is validated by analysing the performance of different type of aircraft and considering different routes. A fuel consumption estimation error was identified and a correction is proposed for each type of aircraft model. In the future Air Traffic Management (ATM) system, the trajectory becomes the fundamental element of a new set of operating procedures collectively referred to as Trajectory-Based Operations (TBO). Thus, governmental institutions, academia, and industry have shown a renewed interest for the application of trajectory optimisation techniques in com- mercial aviation. The trajectory optimisation problem can be solved using optimal control methods. In this research we present and discuss the existing methods for solving optimal control problems focusing on direct collocation, which has received recent attention by the scientific community. In particular, two families of collocation methods are analysed, i.e., Hermite-Legendre-Gauss-Lobatto collocation and the pseudospectral collocation. They are first compared based on a benchmark case study: the minimum fuel trajectory problem with fixed arrival time. For the sake of scalability to more realistic problems, the different meth- ods are also tested based on a real Airbus 319 El Cairo-Madrid flight. Results show that pseudospectral collocation, which has shown to be numerically more accurate and computa- tionally much faster, is suitable for the type of problems arising in trajectory optimisation with application to ATM. Fast and accurate optimal trajectory can contribute properly to achieve the new challenges of the future ATM. As atmosphere uncertainties are one of the most important issues in the trajectory plan- ning, the final objective of this dissertation is to have a magnitude order of how different is the fuel consumption under different atmosphere condition. Is important to note that in the strategic phase planning the optimal trajectories are determined by meteorological predictions which differ from the moment of the flight. The optimal trajectories have shown savings of at least 500 [kg] in the majority of the atmosphere condition (different pressure, and temperature at Mean Sea Level, and different lapse rate temperature) with respect to the conventional procedure simulated at the same atmosphere condition.This results show that the implementation of optimal profiles are beneficial under the current Air traffic Management (ATM).

Aplicación práctica transceptor BGT24MTR11 : radar Doppler

En los últimos tiempos, los radares han dejado de ser instrumentos utilizados únicamente en aviación, defensa y detección de velocidad. El avance de la tecnología de radiofrecuencia ha permitido la reducción de coste, tamaño y consumo de los componentes radar. Esto ha permitido que cada sea más frecuente el uso del radar en elementos de nuestra vida cotidiana tales como la automoción, la seguridad, la medida de líquidos… Este proyecto se basa en uno de estos nuevos componentes de bajo coste y pequeño tamaño, el transceptor BGT24MTR11. El BGTR24MTR11 integra transmisor, VCO y receptor, los elementos principales para la creación de un radar Doppler en la banda de frecuencia ISM 24-24,25 GHz. A partir de la placa de evaluación de ese transceptor, se aborda el diseño de un prototipo/demostrador de radar Doppler CW en la banda de 24 GHz. Para la generación de frecuencia se utiliza la placa de evaluación del PLL HMC702 y se ha diseñado un PCB a medida cuyas funciones son las de alimentación, programación y amplificación de las señales recibidas por el prototipo. Por último, se comprueba el correcto funcionamiento del prototipo y se verifica su funcionamiento mediante la simulación de dos escenarios de prueba. ABSTRACT. In the recent times, radar systems have changed of being tools used only in aviation, defence and speed detection. Radiofrequency technology improvements have allowed a cost, size and power consumption of the radar components. This is the reason because each time is more frequent the use of radar in elements of our daily life such as automotive, security, liquid measurements… This Project is base don one of this low power and size components, the MMIC transceptor BGT24MTR11. This transceptor integrates the main components needed to make a Doppler radar in the ISM Band (24-24 GHz), the transmitter, the receiver with the low noise amplifier and the VCO. Using the evaluation board of this transceptor, this Project approach the design of a CW Doppler radar prototype/demonstrator in the frequency band of 24 GHz. The frequency generation is based on the use of the HMC702 PLL evaluation board. Moreover, it has been designed a custom PCB whose funcionts are the power supply, programation and amplification of the signals received by the prototype. At the end, the correct operation of the prototype is verified and it is tested simulating two different test scenarios.

Comunicación y seguridad aérea: incidentes y accidentes causados por el uso incorrecto de la lengua inglesa

Este proyecto consiste en el análisis de accidentes e incidentes aéreos causados por problemas en el lenguaje. Se realiza un estudio acerca de la elección del inglés para las comunicaciones en la aviación comercial. Se analiza la reglamentación actual sobre las competencias lingüísticas aplicadas a pilotos y controladores aéreos en la aviación comercial. Además se estudian los problemas lingüísticos causantes de malentendidos en las comunicaciones entre pilotos y controladores aéreos. Finalmente, se analizan en detalle los accidentes e incidentes de mayor importancia causados por problemas lingüísticos, y en los que estos eran un factor relevante en el accidente. Se explican las soluciones aplicadas para minimizar los malentendidos en las comunicaciones, y además se encuesta a un total de trece pilotos españoles con la finalidad de averiguar cuáles son los acentos que más problemas causan, en qué países es donde se tiene más dificultad para entender las comunicaciones aéreas y con mayor frecuencia se emplea una fraseología incorrecta. ABSTRACT. This project consists in the analysis of aviation accidents and incidents caused by language problems. I study why English was chosen as the language of communications in commercial aviation. I analyze the current rules applied for regulating the communication between pilots and controllers. I also study the main linguistic problems that cause misunderstandings in the communications. A detailed study of the most important accidents and incidents caused by misunderstandings is also carried out. I explain the main solutions applied to eradicate or minimize the misunderstandings that could cause an accident, and I also survey a total of thirteen Spanish pilots to directly know what accents are the most difficult ones to understand, which countries tend to modify the standard phraseology, and in which countries Spanish pilots have more problems when communicating with the controllers.

Bases y procesos de certificación de sistemas aéreos no tripulados

El objetivo de la tesis es el de crear unas bases de certificación para sistemas aéreos remotamente pilotados teniendo en consideración los siguientes requisitos: 1) La base ha de tener una estructura similar a la existente para los aviones tripulados. De esta manera se favorecerá una futura convergencia entre las bases de certificación según las misiones realizadas y las tecnologías empleadas por aviones tripulados y pilotados a distancia vayan convergiendo. La CS 23 y FAR 23 van a ser modificadas en profundidad en un futuro inmediato. Se ha considerado la redacción de la nueva normativa propuesta. 2) Los requisitos han de considerar los cambios definidos por las autoridades que gestionan el espacio aéreo. En Europa es SESAR JU quien gestiona el proceso. 3) Los organismos reguladores de la aviación están emitiendo consejos y recomendaciones para permitir la operación de los RPAS en el espacio aéreo no segregado. Asimismo han establecido unos principios fundamentales en los que han de basarse las bases de certificación. Se analizarán los documentos publicados al respecto por OACI, FAA y EASA que han aumentado significativamente en 2015. 4) Los altos niveles de seguridad alcanzados por la aviación han sido principalmente conseguidos gracias a la existencia de unas bases de certificación que se han actualizado frecuentemente considerando la experiencia en el diseño y la operación. Esta experiencia en los RPAS es reducida pero puede aportar importante información de seguridad. ABSTRACT The Goal of the Thesis is to create a certification specification for remotely piloted systems (RPAS). The methodology used for the development of the standard considers the following constrains: 1. The Base shall be defined in a similar way as the standards used for manned aircraft of the same category. This procedure will make possible a future merging of the standards for manned and unmanned system. It is foreseen that the missions performed and the technology used will be similar in a near future. CS23 and FAR 23 are going to be completely modified in a near future. The changed proposed will also be considered. 2. The standards developed must consider all the changes that are being defined by the air traffic management authorities around the globe. In Europe the program is being managed by SESAR Joint Undertaking. 3. The regulatory organizations are providing technical advice and recommendations in order to permit the operation of the RPAS in non-segregated airspace. There has been a big amount of documentation issued in the last year by ICAO, EASA and FAA. The standards developed should consider and implement these requirements. 4. The high safety record obtained by the manned aviation has been mainly due to the continuous update of the certifications standards based on the experience. The experience in the design and operation of RPAS is reduced but can already provide important safety information.

Analysing the complexity of the model-based decision making processes within the industrial management context

PURPOSE The decision-making process plays a key role in organizations. Every decision-making process produces a final choice that may or may not prompt action. Recurrently, decision makers find themselves in the dichotomous question of following a traditional sequence decision-making process where the output of a decision is used as the input of the next stage of the decision, or following a joint decision-making approach where several decisions are taken simultaneously. The implication of the decision-making process will impact different players of the organization. The choice of the decision- making approach becomes difficult to find, even with the current literature and practitioners’ knowledge. The pursuit of better ways for making decisions has been a common goal for academics and practitioners. Management scientists use different techniques and approaches to improve different types of decisions. The purpose of this decision is to use the available resources as well as possible (data and techniques) to achieve the objectives of the organization. The developing and applying of models and concepts may be helpful to solve managerial problems faced every day in different companies. As a result of this research different decision models are presented to contribute to the body of knowledge of management science. The first models are focused on the manufacturing industry and the second part of the models on the health care industry. Despite these models being case specific, they serve the purpose of exemplifying that different approaches to the problems and could provide interesting results. Unfortunately, there is no universal recipe that could be applied to all the problems. Furthermore, the same model could deliver good results with certain data and bad results for other data. A framework to analyse the data before selecting the model to be used is presented and tested in the models developed to exemplify the ideas. METHODOLOGY As the first step of the research a systematic literature review on the joint decision is presented, as are the different opinions and suggestions of different scholars. For the next stage of the thesis, the decision-making process of more than 50 companies was analysed in companies from different sectors in the production planning area at the Job Shop level. The data was obtained using surveys and face-to-face interviews. The following part of the research into the decision-making process was held in two application fields that are highly relevant for our society; manufacturing and health care. The first step was to study the interactions and develop a mathematical model for the replenishment of the car assembly where the problem of “Vehicle routing problem and Inventory” were combined. The next step was to add the scheduling or car production (car sequencing) decision and use some metaheuristics such as ant colony and genetic algorithms to measure if the behaviour is kept up with different case size problems. A similar approach is presented in a production of semiconductors and aviation parts, where a hoist has to change from one station to another to deal with the work, and a jobs schedule has to be done. However, for this problem simulation was used for experimentation. In parallel, the scheduling of operating rooms was studied. Surgeries were allocated to surgeons and the scheduling of operating rooms was analysed. The first part of the research was done in a Teaching hospital, and for the second part the interaction of uncertainty was added. Once the previous problem had been analysed a general framework to characterize the instance was built. In the final chapter a general conclusion is presented. FINDINGS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS The first part of the contributions is an update of the decision-making literature review. Also an analysis of the possible savings resulting from a change in the decision process is made. Then, the results of the survey, which present a lack of consistency between what the managers believe and the reality of the integration of their decisions. In the next stage of the thesis, a contribution to the body of knowledge of the operation research, with the joint solution of the replenishment, sequencing and inventory problem in the assembly line is made, together with a parallel work with the operating rooms scheduling where different solutions approaches are presented. In addition to the contribution of the solving methods, with the use of different techniques, the main contribution is the framework that is proposed to pre-evaluate the problem before thinking of the techniques to solve it. However, there is no straightforward answer as to whether it is better to have joint or sequential solutions. Following the proposed framework with the evaluation of factors such as the flexibility of the answer, the number of actors, and the tightness of the data, give us important hints as to the most suitable direction to take to tackle the problem. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS AND AVENUES FOR FUTURE RESEARCH In the first part of the work it was really complicated to calculate the possible savings of different projects, since in many papers these quantities are not reported or the impact is based on non-quantifiable benefits. The other issue is the confidentiality of many projects where the data cannot be presented. For the car assembly line problem more computational power would allow us to solve bigger instances. For the operation research problem there was a lack of historical data to perform a parallel analysis in the teaching hospital. In order to keep testing the decision framework it is necessary to keep applying more case studies in order to generalize the results and make them more evident and less ambiguous. The health care field offers great opportunities since despite the recent awareness of the need to improve the decision-making process there are many opportunities to improve. Another big difference with the automotive industry is that the last improvements are not spread among all the actors. Therefore, in the future this research will focus more on the collaboration between academia and the health care sector.