Patent — available for licensing
Digital Twin Simulator of the National Airspace System (NAS)
A NASA invention available to explore as a licensing opportunity.
About this technology
Overview
The National Airspace System (NAS) is a challenging system of systems to study and monitor due to the volume of data passing through at any given time, including all information, services, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, personnel, and equipment required to manage flight operations within the United States. Developing and running simulations of the NAS relies on the cumulative experience of engineering teams. Variances in the simulations due to differences in assumptions, software, hardware, and models make results difficult to control and reproduce. New features to be added to the NAS require testing in a time-consuming and iterative process that can delay implementation of new technologies, management protocols, and safety measures. NASA Ames has developed a novel approach for simulating the NAS by using a digital twin simulator. This novel technology can simulate a duplication of the live NAS system, and can test and simulate integration of new elements. The digital twin NAS system can also be used to test high-fidelity models of autonomous systems to validate the operation of such autonomous systems safely interacting with the NAS system.