arXiv subjects

Lucas Souza e Silva

Publications and source records attributed to Lucas Souza e Silva.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

String stable platoons of all-electric aircraft with operating costs and airspace complexity trade-off

This paper formulates an optimal control framework for computing cruise airspeeds in predecessor-follower platoons of all-electric aircraft that balance operational cost and airspace complexity. To quantify controller workload and coordination effort, a novel pairwise dynamic workload (PDW) function is developed. Within this framework, the optimal airspeed solution is derived for all-electric aircraft under longitudinal wind disturbances. Moreover, an analytical suboptimal solution for heterogeneous platoons with nonlinear aircraft dynamics is determined, for which a general sufficient condition for string stability is formally established. The methodology is validated through case studies of all-electric aircraft operating in air corridors that are suitable for low-altitude advanced/urban air mobility (AAM/UAM) applications. Results show that the suboptimal solution closely approximates the optimal, while ensuring safe separations, maintaining string stability, and reducing operational cost and airspace complexity. These findings support the development of sustainable and more autonomous air traffic procedures that will enable the implementation of emerging air transportation technologies, such as AAM/UAM, and their integration to the air traffic system environment.

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arXiv2026

On the airspace complexity metrics for predecessor-follower operations

This technical note proposes a novel airspace complexity metric that quantifies the air traffic controller workload and coordination effort for pairwise predecessor-follower aircraft operations in cruise. The pairwise dynamic workload (PDW) is proposed as a continuous function that depends on the relevant parameters of these operations, such as the aircraft separation and separation rate. A comparison of this metric with the dynamic density (DD) shows that it is capable of continuously evaluating the variation of airspace complexity over time and monitoring the aircraft parameters that might lead to conflicts. This metric can be used to support the implementation of autonomous and supervised aircraft procedures, to achieve a more structured and coordinated airspace.

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arXiv2024

Optimal Constant Climb Airspeed with Variable Cost Index for All-electric Aircraft

This paper presents for the first time an approach to minimize direct operational costs (DOC) for all-electric aircraft during the climb phase, introducing a time-varying cost index (CI). The CI is modeled as a dynamic parameter commanded by Air Traffic Control (ATC), allowing the aircraft to maintain a constant airspeed throughout the climb, while respecting the air traffic regulations. This paper also explores the implications of a time-varying CI on the determination of optimal airspeed and climbing time for all-electric aircraft. Additionally, it provides the necessary equations to calculate both the optimal climb airspeed and climb duration. The proposed methodology has been validated through a simulated scenario that reflects actual operational procedures. As a result, optimal values for climb airspeed, climbing time, and energy consumption have been established, paving the way for future applications of this methodology to advanced air mobility all-electric vehicles.

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arXiv2024

A Unified Approach for Optimal Cruise Airspeed with Variable Cost Index for Fuel-powered and All-electric Aircraft

This paper proposes for the first time a unified optimal approach to solve a direct operating cost (DOC) minimization problem where the cost index (CI) is time-varying. More specifically, the coefficient CI is modeled as a time-varying parameter commanded by Air Traffic Control (ATC). The proposed unified approach relies on the solution of an optimal control problem both for fuel-powered and all-electric aircraft. Furthermore, this paper demonstrates how a variable CI affects the solution of the optimization problem as it presents the equations that allow the computation of optimal constant cruise airspeed and flight time in response to step changes in the CI value. The proposed methodology is validated by a simulated flight scenario. In this scenario the inputs from the ATC are received during flight and the aircraft is required to adjust its optimal airspeed, flight time, and total energy consumption to comply with the operational restrictions imposed by the ATC. The optimal values of airspeed, flight time and energy consumption are computed for both a fuel-powered and an all-electric aircraft, thus enabling applications of the proposed approach to future air mobility all-electric vehicles.

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