Overview
The main objective of the KLEAN project was to develop a custom knowledge-based EFB (Electronic Flight Bag) with SW packages implementing Advanced Weather Radar Post-processor (AWRP) and QAI (Quasi-Artificial Intelligence) agent algorithms, provided by Selex Galileo, for green trajectory optimization (reduction of CO2 and NOX emissions as well as noise pollution).
The EFB was also customised to include an ad hoc Graphical User Interface (GUI) for output presentation and pilot interaction and custom I/O interfaces to radar processor, external sensors/systems/database and the Mission/Flight simulator.
To get this goal, the following specific objectives were set:
- EFB overview, selection and purchasing
- SW integration and refinement of AWRP algorithms
- SW integration and refinement of QAI agent algorithm for green trajectory optimization
- Design and implementation of a GUI interface for result display and control
- Design and implementation of a few I/O interfaces for the PWRP, for the Mission/flight simulator and for the internal/external sensors/system/database
- Realisation and testing of a demonstrator of the KLEAN system
- Roadmap for the KLEAN system certification
The innovative contributions of the proposal were:
- A customization of existing EFB with some new advanced functionalities for facilitating the pilot on the decision of trajectory changes in presence of evident external change conditions.
- SW integration and refinement of advanced radar post-processing and QAI agent algorithms for green trajectory optimization.
- Design and implementation of customized GUI interfaces for a friendly interpretation of QAI outcomes and for EFB system control.
- Validation and testing of the customized EFB to specific realistic operative scenarios through the use of mission/flight simulator in order to enhance the added value provided by the KLEAN system.
- Roadmap for the FAA certification of the KLEAN EFB.
Funding
Results
Executive Summary:
The objective of the KLEAN (Knowledge-based EFB for green flight trajectory decision aid) project has been the development of a custom knowledge-based EFB (Electronic Flight Bag) with SW packages implementing Advanced Weather Radar Post-processor (AWRP) and QAI (Quasi-Artificial Intelligence) agent algorithms for green trajectory optimization (reduction of CO2 and NOX emissions as well as noise pollution).
The AWRP is a software tool that processes the polarimetric radar signals in order to provide hydrometeor classification maps and related no flight zone based on threshold parameters of the weather risk settable by the user.
The QAI is an event based software tool that provides flight trajectory that allow to avoid the no flight zone, whether provided by the WRPP and by any other informative source, and optimize the fuel consumption and the emitted noise.
The EFB has been also customized to include an ad hoc Graphical User Interface (GUI) for output presentation and pilot interaction and custom I/O interfaces to radar processor, external sensors/systems/database and the Mission/Flight simulator.
To get this goal, the following activities have been carried out:
- KLEAN architecture - A specific architecture for implementing the AWRP and the QAI functionalities on a generic EFB has been defined. A four main modules (AWRP, QAI, GUI, I/O interfaces) interconnected among them has been designed,
- EFB overview, selection and purchasing. After a market analysis the EFB Nexis, produced by Astronautics Corporation of America, has been the one most complying with the project necessities in terms of presence of a Software Developer’s Toolkit, powerful in computing capabilities and completeness with all the possible avionics interfaces,
- SW integration and refinement of AWRP and QAI agent algorithms for green trajectory optimization: the AWRP algorithm have been optimized and coded for the EFB Nexis,
- GUI design. A specific GUI for result display and user control on the EFB Nexis has been fully designed and implemented,
- Specific I/O interfaces for the AWRP, for the Mission/flight simulator and for the internal/external sensors/system/database has been fully design and implemented for the EFB Nexis,
- All the software tools have been integrated and implemented in the KLEAN_V1.0 SW package that run over the Nexis EFB. The EFB Nexis with installed the KLEAN_V1.0 is the final product of the KLEAN project,
- The Testing of the KLEAN_V1.0 have been carried out simulating true flight plane and realistic polarimetric radar signals,
- A Roadmap for the KLEAN system certification has been also provided.