A novel approach to the generation of aircraft collision avoidance advisories
Grace S. Garden, Sarah A. Mecklem, Reece A. Clothier, Brendan Williams, Alvin Sipe · 2017
This paper explores the application of the Apollonius sphere (AS) as a mathematical basis for generating aircraft collision avoidance advisories. The AS (as an extension of the Apollonius circle) defines the locus of all potential collision points for an aircraft collision pair. Collision advisory information in the form of non-allowed steering directions (NASDs) and the estimated time remaining to act (TRTA) can be determined from the intersection of the aircraft trajectory with the AS. This paper presents the mathematical foundations of the AS and the calculation of the NASD and TRTA advisories. Results from a range of simulated conflict scenarios between a small fixed wing remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) and a small general aviation type aircraft are then presented. The advantages and challenges to the approach are discussed.