Avoiding Deadlocks Is Not Enough: Analysis and Resolution of Blocked Airplanes

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Qi, Shuhao, Zhang, Zengjie, Sun, Zhiyong, Haesaert, Sofie
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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_version_ 1866909648845537280
author Qi, Shuhao
Zhang, Zengjie
Sun, Zhiyong
Haesaert, Sofie
author_facet Qi, Shuhao
Zhang, Zengjie
Sun, Zhiyong
Haesaert, Sofie
contents This paper is devoted to the analysis and resolution of a pathological phenomenon in airplane encounters called blocking mode. As autonomy in airplane systems increases, a pathological phenomenon can be observed in two-aircraft encounter scenarios, where airplanes stick together and fly in parallel for an extended period. This parallel flight results in a temporary blocking that significantly delays progress. In contrast to widely studied deadlocks in multi-robot systems, such transient blocking is often overlooked in existing literature. Since such prolonged parallel flying places high-speed airplanes at elevated risks of near-miss collisions, encounter conflicts must be resolved as quickly as possible in the context of aviation. We develop a mathematical model for a two-airplane encounter system that replicates this blocking phenomenon. Using this model, we analyze the conditions under which blocking occurs, quantify the duration of the blocking period, and demonstrate that the blocking condition is significantly less restrictive than that of deadlock. Based on these analytical insights, we propose an intention-aware strategy with an adaptive priority mechanism that enables efficient resolution of ongoing blocking phenomena while also incidentally eliminating deadlocks. Notably, the developed strategy does not rely on central coordination and communications that can be unreliable in harsh situations. The analytical findings and the proposed resolution strategy are validated through extensive simulations.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2411_16911
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Avoiding Deadlocks Is Not Enough: Analysis and Resolution of Blocked Airplanes
Qi, Shuhao
Zhang, Zengjie
Sun, Zhiyong
Haesaert, Sofie
Systems and Control
This paper is devoted to the analysis and resolution of a pathological phenomenon in airplane encounters called blocking mode. As autonomy in airplane systems increases, a pathological phenomenon can be observed in two-aircraft encounter scenarios, where airplanes stick together and fly in parallel for an extended period. This parallel flight results in a temporary blocking that significantly delays progress. In contrast to widely studied deadlocks in multi-robot systems, such transient blocking is often overlooked in existing literature. Since such prolonged parallel flying places high-speed airplanes at elevated risks of near-miss collisions, encounter conflicts must be resolved as quickly as possible in the context of aviation. We develop a mathematical model for a two-airplane encounter system that replicates this blocking phenomenon. Using this model, we analyze the conditions under which blocking occurs, quantify the duration of the blocking period, and demonstrate that the blocking condition is significantly less restrictive than that of deadlock. Based on these analytical insights, we propose an intention-aware strategy with an adaptive priority mechanism that enables efficient resolution of ongoing blocking phenomena while also incidentally eliminating deadlocks. Notably, the developed strategy does not rely on central coordination and communications that can be unreliable in harsh situations. The analytical findings and the proposed resolution strategy are validated through extensive simulations.
title Avoiding Deadlocks Is Not Enough: Analysis and Resolution of Blocked Airplanes
topic Systems and Control
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2411.16911