Importance

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Abstract

A system for aligning an aircraft-engaging end of a passenger boarding bridge with a doorway of an aircraft includes a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for being disposed at a known location aboard the aircraft, relative to the doorway thereof. The passive RFID tag includes a tag antenna and an integrated circuit for encoding data relating to the passive RFID tag. An antenna including a plurality of antenna elements is disposed proximate the aircraft-engaging end of the passenger boarding bridge. The antenna emits radio frequency waves and receives from the passive RFID tag a wireless data communication signal including the encoded data. A processor is provided for identifying the encoded data within the wireless data communication signal, for determining an angle of arrival of the encoded data based on differences in signal received at each of the plurality of antenna elements and for determining an intensity of the signal including the encoded data. A bridge controller in communication with the processor determines a movement of the passenger boarding bridge toward the doorway of the aircraft, based on the determined angle of arrival of the encoded data and the intensity of the signal including the encoded data.

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First Claim