Synchronizing Test Encounter Entry for Multiple Autonomous Aircraft

What is it about?

Testing the behavior of autonomous aircraft in national airspace requires a repeatable, reliable way to synchronize the positions and velocities of multiple aircraft at the beginning of a flight test. We created an algorithm that can dynamically plot trajectories for multiple aircraft from arbitrary start positions to target positions such that each aircraft arrives at their target at the same time. We used this algorithm successfully for dozens of encounters during NASA flight tests.

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