Description / Abstract:
This document examines operational and technical performance
issues observed in the current TCAS II as well as issues
anticipated to emerge in the future as NextGen changes affect the
airspace. It explores potential changes to address these issues and
addresses their maturity. The document comments on additional
research and development that would be required, either to better
characterize the issue, to develop solutions or both.
Both issues and solutions are presented in two major categories:
Issues affecting the current TCAS II and changes that could be made
to that system without substantial redesign. These are termed
"near-term" changes, but their development, certification and
implementation could take as long as six years. Issues anticipated
in the future, and changes that would require either substantial
redesign or that might use entirely new sources of surveillance
data. These changes are termed "far-term" and would take more than
10 years. Some far- term solutions may be required to address
near-term issues. The document presents tables to help the reader
map solutions to issues and recommendations are presented for the
solutions deemed most promising and deserving of high research
priority.