Satellite based collision avoidance system

Abstract

This invention provides a method and apparatus to provide coordinated evasive maneuver commands to aircraft to avoid collisions. More specifically, the invention comprises a GPS system to determined the location of aircraft, control logic to calculate evasive maneuvers, display aircraft tracking information, coordinate the evasive maneuver with the intruding aircraft, and give a synthetic voice warning and command to the pilots.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of vehicle collision avoidance using satellite navigational signals and direct radio communication comprising the steps of: 
 determining a first vehicle position with a plurality of satellite navigation signals;    determining a second vehicle position with a plurality of satellite navigation signals;    encoding and transmitting a direct radio messages that includes said first vehicle identification and position;    receiving and decoding a direct radio message that includes said second vehicle identification and position;    determining by relative vehicle positions and headings an evasive maneuver to keep said vehicles separated a predetermined distance.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of: 
 encoding and transmitting a direct radio message that includes said first vehicle evasive maneuver;  
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising the steps of: 
 receiving and decoding a direct radio message that includes said second vehicle evasive maneuver.  
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of: 
 displaying the relative position of said vehicles as a graphic representation showing the relative bearing and distance on a display unit.  
 synthesizing an audio alert that informs the pilot of said evasive maneuver.  
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein: 
 said vehicle is an aircraft;  
 said satellite navigation signals are from earth based pseudo-satellites;  
 said evasive maneuver is a directive to change the altitude of said vehicles.  
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein: 
 said vehicle is a sea going vessel;  
 said satellite navigation signals are from earth based pseudo-satellites  
 said evasive is a directive to change the course of said vehicle.  
 
     
     
         7 . A method of vehicle collision avoidance using navigational satellite signals and direct radio wave communication comprising the steps of: 
 determining a fixed position with a plurality of navigational signals;    encoding and transmitting a direct radio message that includes said fixed position;    receiving and decoding said direct radio message;    determining by vehicle position and heading an evasive maneuver to direct said vehicle away from said fixed position.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the steps of: 
 displaying the relative bearing and distance of said fixed position on a display unit wherein: said fixed position marks a navigation obstacle and navigation marker.  
 
     
     
         9 . The method of claim wherein: 
 said encoding and transmitting direct radio message that includes said fixed position includes a unique identification code and code representing the type of navigational hazard;    said vehicle position is determined from a plurality of satellite navigation signals.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the steps of: 
 encoding and transmitting said evasive maneuver;  
 receiving and decoding an evasive maneuver confirmation signal.  
 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for vehicle collision avoidance with other like equipped vehicles using satellite navigation signals and a direct radio wave message comprising: 
 a satellite receiver for receiving satellite navigation signals;    a control program to format the direct radio wave message and determine an evasive maneuver;    a computer electrically connected to said satellite receiver for processing signals from said satellite receiver and executing said control program;    a modem electrically connected to said computer for transmitting and receiving the direct radio wave message from the other like equipped vehicles;    a transceiver electrically connected to said modem to transmit and receive data.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of claim further comprising: 
 a display unit electrically connected to said computer to display the relative bearing and distance of the equipped vehicles;    an audio interface electrically connected to said computer to synthesize audio alarms;    a control unit electrically connected to said computer to program and control the collision avoidance apparatus.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein: 
 said direct radio message is a time division multiple access protocol message;  
 said modem is synchronized to said satellite receiver clock.  
 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein: 
 said direct radio message is a time division multiple access protocol message;  
 said modem is synchronized to said satellite receiver clock.  
 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein: 
 said computer comprises: a first microprocessor for satellite signal processing electrically connected to a second microprocessor or for executing the control program.  
 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 a third microprocessor electrically connected between said second microprocessor and said modem for executing the direct radio wave communication protocol.  
 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein: 
 said direct radio wave is a skywave; and  
 said satellite navigation signals are from ground based pseudo-satellites.