Focused on safety‑critical aviation software

Tisha Patel

Computer Engineering Technology student specializing in aviation software systems, compiler design, and optimization.

I design and build software for flight planning and air traffic operations, combining domain‑specific languages, embedded systems, and emerging computation models such as quantum‑inspired optimization. My work emphasizes correctness, safety, and operational realism in aerospace environments.

Research & Publications

Aviation‑focused software and optimization research

Formal work at the intersection of flight operations, language design, and quantum‑inspired optimization.

Research paper · Domain‑specific language

AirLang: A Domain‑Specific Language for Aviation Flight Planning and Operations

A compiler-driven approach to safer, more consistent flight planning workflows.

Designed and implemented a seven‑phase compiler for a domain‑specific language tailored to aviation flight planning and operational validation. The language encodes aircraft performance, route structure, and operational constraints directly into its type system and semantics.

  • Lexical, syntactic, and semantic analysis specialized for aviation concepts
  • Haversine‑based distance and fuel burn calculations
  • Center‑of‑gravity and weight‑and‑balance validation at compile time
  • Enforcement of aircraft limitations and operational rules before execution
View publication View repository
Research paper · Quantum‑enhanced optimization

IrisPathQ: Quantum‑Enhanced Flight Route Optimization Using QAOA

Hybrid quantum–classical optimization for realistic aviation routing constraints.

IrisPathQ applies the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) to evaluate and optimize flight routes under operational constraints. The framework integrates classical preprocessing with quantum‑inspired search to explore high‑dimensional routing spaces.

  • Encodes airspace structure, weather risk, and traffic density into a quantum‑compatible cost model
  • Evaluates multiple candidate routes using hybrid QAOA layers
  • Demonstrates potential for quantum‑assisted decision‑making in next‑generation ATC systems
View publication
Algonquin College Library View repository
Research paper · Aviation safety · E-field modeling
In progress

AirLume: Atmospheric Lightning Risk Prediction Along Flight Paths

Physics-based electric field risk modeling to keep aircraft clear of lightning formation zones.

AirLume is a multi-language research system that analyzes atmospheric conditions along active flight paths to predict regions of lightning formation risk. A physics-based electric field (E-field) engine processes real-time weather data to score route segments by lightning exposure, enabling pre-departure and in-flight route amendments.

  • Integrates real-time atmospheric data (CAPE, wind shear, moisture flux) with an E-field risk model
  • Multi-language architecture: C for the core E-field engine, Ada for safety-critical decision logic, Python for data ingestion, Java for visualization
  • Generates alternative route suggestions weighted by cumulative lightning risk
  • Route visualization and path-comparison interface currently in development
View repository View publication
Selected public work

Open‑source and public repositories

A subset of my work is visible on GitHub. Many aviation and embedded projects are private or under NDA.

AirLang: Aviation DSL Compiler

Complete domain-specific language for aviation flight planning with 7-phase compilation pipeline, real-time METAR integration, and native aviation syntax. Features built-in weight & balance, navigation calculations, and weather analysis with safety validations.

C · Compiler Design Flight Planning DSL Aviation Safety
View repository

Aircraft Monitoring System

Embedded monitoring system using Arduino for tracking aircraft state, flight control, and ground control communication. Features sensor integration (temperature, motion, MPU6050), IR remote control, RFID authentication, and Node-RED dashboard integration.

C++ · Arduino · IoT Embedded Systems Sensor Fusion
View repository

ATC Radar Simulator

Real-time Air Traffic Control simulator written in Ada. Models aircraft movement, enforces ICAO separation standards, tracks wake turbulence, detects conflicts, and generates resolution advisories. Features flight phase monitoring and ASCII radar display.

Ada · Safety-Critical ATC Simulation Real-Time Systems
View repository

IrisPathQ: Quantum Route Optimization

Hybrid quantum-classical flight route optimization using QAOA and A* pathfinding. Minimizes fuel consumption while avoiding weather hazards and airspace conflicts. Demonstrates quantum advantage over greedy algorithms for multi-flight route selection.

C · Python · Qiskit Quantum Computing Route Optimization
View repository

AeroC: Aviation Booking Language

Domain-specific language for aviation Global Distribution System (GDS) operations. Parser and interpreter for airline booking workflows, demonstrating DSL design principles in aviation commerce and reservation systems.

C · DSL Design Aviation Commerce Parser Development
View repository

Quantum Circuit Simulator

Interactive quantum circuit simulator built with Java Swing. Client-server architecture with SQLite database, user authentication, and visual circuit design. Simulates quantum gates, measurements, and provides histogram visualization of quantum states.

Java · Swing · SQLite Quantum Simulation GUI Development
View repository

ATOM Flight Computer

Custom flight computer for model rocketry featuring sensor fusion, active stabilization, and real-time telemetry. ESP32-based system with IMU integration, thermal imaging (MLX90640), and servo-controlled fin stabilization for flight control.

C++ · ESP32 · Embedded Flight Control Sensor Fusion
View repository

RVR-Modbus: Runway Visibility Service

An aviation simulation system that reads Runway Visual Range (RVR) from serial sensor input, applies ambient light intensity adjustment, and publishes processed visibility data over Modbus TCP. Designed for Raspberry Pi with ATmega2560 hardware integration for real-time airport visibility simulation.

C · Python · libmodbus Embedded · Raspberry Pi Airport Systems
View repository

C & Ada Programming Archive

Collection of aviation-focused C and Ada programs including flight planning tools, runway incursion alerts, airline reservation systems, quantum algorithms, data structures, and various course assignments demonstrating systems programming fundamentals.

C · Ada · Algorithms Data Structures Aviation Tools
View repository

Arduino Projects Collection

Archive of Arduino-based embedded systems projects and experiments, exploring microcontroller programming, sensor integration, and hardware interfacing for various aviation and general-purpose applications.

C++ · Arduino · Hardware Embedded Development Prototyping
View repository
In progress

AirLume: Lightning Strike Prediction

Multi-language system that analyzes atmospheric conditions along flight paths to predict lightning formation zones and recommend safer routes. Integrates real-time weather data with a physics-based E-field risk engine. Currently finishing route visualization and alternative path suggestions.

C · Ada · Python · Java Aviation Safety Weather Modeling
View repository
Private & experimental work

Additional private projects

More aviation, embedded, and optimization projects are private on GitHub. Collaboration access can be provided on request.

QNX Real-Time Systems

Real-time OS development on QNX Neutrino, including a resource manager and multi-threaded scheduling experiments. Focuses on IPC, process isolation, and deterministic timing for safety-critical embedded environments.

C · QNX Neutrino Real-Time OS Embedded Systems

🔒 Private — available on request

In progress

Ground Operations Safety Research

Several active projects exploring redundancy and situational awareness in surface movement environments. Involves embedded hardware, real-time sensor processing, and integration with existing aerodrome infrastructure concepts.

Embedded · Python · C Aerodrome Safety Surface Movement

🔒 Private — reach out if you work in this space

Web Apps (.NET / C#)

Full-stack web application built with ASP.NET Core and C#. Covers backend API design, data modelling, and MVC architecture applied to an aviation-domain problem.

C# · ASP.NET Core Web Development MVC Architecture

🔒 Private — available on request

Enterprise Web App (Jakarta EE)

Enterprise-grade web application using Jakarta EE. Implements REST APIs, persistence layers, and business logic for a multi-user aviation-adjacent service.

Java · Jakarta EE Enterprise Web REST APIs

🔒 Private — available on request

Arduino Labs (Private Archive)

Extended collection of Arduino embedded experiments — sensor prototyping, hardware interfacing, and course lab work from CST8227.

C++ · Arduino Embedded Systems Prototyping

🔒 Private — available on request

Contact

Get in touch

For research discussions, collaboration, or engineering roles in aviation and safety‑critical software.