Aeronautical engineering

GENERAL The course introduces the fundamentals of the airspace organization, of the air traffic services, as well as of the communication, navigation and surveillance systems used in aeronautics. Air traffic routes, aeronautical charts and departure and arrival procedures are described. The concepts of analog and digital modulation/demodulation are recalled, together with the operating principles and the main characteristics of the antennas. Basic elements on probabilities and on the characterization of random events/processes are provided. The operating principles of air navigation systems are described: ground-based radio aids and satellite navigation systems. The performance parameters of the navigation systems are described and critically assessed, in terms of accuracy, availability, integrity and continuity and the necessary requirements for managing the risk associated with the trajectories in the different phases of the flight. Aeronautical communications systems are introduced for voice and data transmission, both point-to-point, and within digital networks for aeronautical telecommunications. Surveillance systems for Air Traffic Control are introduced, with particular reference to primary and secondary radar systems, multi-lateration systems and ADSB. Tracking and prediction techniques for managing collision risk in the air and on the surface are described. SPECIFIC Knowledge and understanding: At the end, the student has acquired a basic knowledge of issues and instruments/systems for air traffic management and the ability to critically evaluate the fundamental parameters of the instruments/systems. Applying knowledge and understanding: at the end of the course the student is able to use the acquired knowledge to estimate/analyze the performance provided by instruments/systems for air traffic management in terms of coverage, bands and measurement accuracy. Making judgements: at the end of the course the student has developed the independence of judgment needed to integrate the knowledge and handle the complexity of the information technologies, used in the air-traffic scenarios; evaluate their reliability and assess their impact on the air traffic safety, also with reference to the related social and ethical responsibilities. Communication skills: at the end of the course the student is able to communicate effectively with engineers, specialized technicians and on-specialized personnel, acting in the area of the information technology for the management and control of air transport. Learning skills: at the end of the course the student is able to learn autonomously the future information technologies, potentially used in the developments of methodologies and procedure to increase air traffic safety and capacity.