David Karr


David Karr

Bio

David Karr is a lead principal scientist at Analytical Mechanics Associates, working with the Crew Systems and Aviation Operations Branch at NASA Langley Research Center. Since 2001, Dr. Karr has supported NASA research in airborne flight path management tools, including development of the Autonomous Operations Planner (AOP), the Traffic Aware Planner (TAP), and other projects in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). Dr. Karr’s contributions include algorithms for trajectory prediction, conflict detection, global conflict resolution, and route optimization as well as software architecture. Dr. Karr has over 30 years of experience developing software for government and industry. Dr. Karr received a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Cornell University.

Selected Publications

  1. David A. Karr, David J. Wing, Terique Barney, Vivek Sharma, Timothy J. Etherington, and James L. Sturdy, “Initial Design Guidelines for Onboard Automation of Flight Path Management,” AIAA Paper 2021-2326, AIAA AVIATION 2021 FORUM, 2–6 August, 2021, virtual event.
  2. Matthew C. Underwood, William B. Cotton, Clay E. Hubbs, Michael J. Vincent, KC Sagar, and David A. Karr, “Incorporation of Time of Arrival Constraints in a Trajectory Optimization Technology,” NASA/TM-2020-5005117, NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia, August 2020.
  3. David A. Karr, Robert A. Vivona, Sharon E. Woods, and David J. Wing, “Point-Mass Aircraft Trajectory Prediction Using a Hierarchical, Highly-Adaptable Software Design,” AIAA Paper 2017-3336, 17th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference (ATIO) at AVIATION 2017, 5–9 June 2017, Denver, CO.
  4. David A. Roscoe, Robert A. Vivona, Sharon E. Woods, David A. Karr, and David J. Wing, “Deploying a Route Optimization EFB Application for Commercial Airline Operational Trials,” IEEE/AIAA 35th Digital Avionics Systems Conference (DASC), Sacramento, CA, 25-29 Sep. 2016. DOI: 10.1109/DASC.2016.7778037, Electronic ISSN: 2155-7209, INSPEC Accession Number: 16525298.
  5. David A. Karr, Robert A. Vivona, and David J. Wing, “Costs of Limiting Route Optimization to Published Waypoints in the Traffic Aware Planner,” AIAA Paper 2013-4968, AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, Aug 19–22, 2013, Boston, MA.
  6. David A. Karr, Robert A. Vivona, David A. Roscoe, Stephen M. DePascale, and David J. Wing, “Autonomous Operations Planner: A Flexible Platform for Research in Flight-Deck Support for Airborne Self-Separation,” AIAA Paper 2012-5417, AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference, Sep 17–19, 2012, Indianapolis, IN.
  7. Gabriele Enea, Robert Vivona, David Karr, and Karen Cate, “Trajectory Prediction Uncertainty Modeling for Continuous Descent Approaches.” 27th International Congress of the Aeronautical Sciences, Sep 19–24, 2010, Nice, France.
  8. David A. Karr, Robert A. Vivona, David A. Roscoe, Stephen M. DePascale, and Maria Consiglio, “Experimental Performance of a Genetic Algorithm for Airborne Strategic Conflict Resolution.” AIAA Paper 2009-5748, AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, August 10–13, 2009, Chicago, IL.
  9. David Karr and Robert Vivona, “Conflict Detection Using Variable Four-Dimensional Uncertainty Bounds to Control Missed Alerts.” AIAA Paper 2006-6057, AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, August 21–24, 2006, Keystone, CO.
  10. Robert Vivona, David Karr, and David Roscoe, “Pattern-Based Genetic Algorithm for Airborne Conflict Resolution.” AIAA Paper 2006-6060, AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, August 21–24, 2006, Keystone, CO.
  11. Richard Barhydt, Nathan A. Doble, David Karr, and Michael T. Palmer, “Handling Trajectory Uncertainties for Airborne Conflict Management.” 24th Digital Avionics Systems Conference, 30 Oct. – 3 Nov. 2005, Washington, DC.
  12. David Karr, David Roscoe, and Robert Vivona, “An Integrated Flight-Deck Decision-Support Tool in an Autonomous Flight Simulation.” AIAA Paper 2004-5261, AIAA Modeling and Simulation Technologies Conference, August 16–19, 2004, Providence, RI.
  13. Yansong Ren, David E. Bakken, Tod Courtney, Michel Cukier, David A. Karr, Paul Rubel, Chetan Sabnis, William H. Sanders, Richard E. Schantz, and Mouna Seri, “AQuA: An Adaptive Architecture that Provides Dependable Distributed Objects.” IEEE Transactions on Computers 52(1): 31-50 (2003).
  14. Chetan Sabnis, Michel Cukier, Jennifer Ren, Paul Rubel, William H. Sanders, David E. Bakken, and David Karr, “Proteus: A Flexible Infrastructure to Implement Adaptive Fault Tolerance in AQuA,” in Dependable Computing for Critical Applications 7, vol. 12 in series Dependable Computing and Fault-Tolerant Systems, pp. 149-168. IEEE Computer Society, 1999.
  15. Robbert van Renesse, Ken Birman, Mark Hayden, Alexey Vaysburd, and David Karr, “Building Adaptive Systems Using Ensemble.” Software–Practice & Experience 28(9), July 1998, 963-979.

Awards and Honors

2019 – R&D 100 Award – TASAR Traffic Aware Planner

2019 – NASA Group Achievement Award, NASA/Alaska Airlines/Industry TASAR Team

2016 – NASA Software of the Year: Traffic Aware Planner (TAP)