Abstract

A surface detection system for airport facilities is described wherein a plurality of infrared (IR) scanners as well as presence/absence detectors are located with respect to taxiways and runways of an airport complex. These devices are arranged to perform in conjunction with local processors to generate data from aircraft and ground based vehicles available from a bar coding identification of both forms of vehicles. These data are utilized to compute alert conditions as well as to develop a real time map of the airport which may be provided at a tower installation for air traffic control utilization as well as at an aircraft flight deck during the course of ground maneuvering. Through the Utilization of aircraft tail numbers as an index, a master host memory may be developed which includes flight numbers, aircraft characteristics and the like which may be employed for evolving alert conditions and the like.

Document Type

Patent

Patent Number

US 5,469,371

Application Serial Number

08/358,776

Issue Date

11-21-1995

Current Assignee

UCFRF

Assignee at Issuance

UCFRF

College

College of Optics and Photonics

Department

CREOL

Allowance Date

5-2-1995

Filing Date

12-19-1994

Assignee at Filing

UCFRF

Filing Type

Nonprovisional Application Record

Donated

no

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