Aircraft synthetic vision systems utilizing data from local area augmentation systems, and methods for operating such aircraft synthetic vision systems

Abstract

An aircraft synthetic vision display system (SVS) includes a topographical database including topographical information relating to an airport, a global positioning system receiver that receives a satellite signal from a global positioning satellite to determine a geographical position of the aircraft, and a ground-based augmentation system receiver that receives a ground-based signal from a ground-based transmitter associated with the airport, wherein the ground-based signal includes geographical information associated with the airport. The SVS further includes a computer processor that retrieves the topographical information from the topographical database based on the geographical position of the aircraft, that retrieves the geographical information associated with the airport, and that corrects the topographical information using the geographical information associated with the airport to generate corrected topographical information. Still further, the SVS includes a display device that renders three-dimensional synthetic imagery of environs of the aircraft based on the corrected topographical information.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present disclosure generally relates to aircraft display systems and methods for operating aircraft display systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to aircraft synthetic vision systems that utilize data from local area augmentation systems, and methods for operating such aircraft synthetic vision systems.BACKGROUND[0002]Many aircraft are equipped with one or more vision enhancing systems. Such vision enhancing systems are designed and configured to assist a pilot when flying in conditions that diminish the view from the cockpit. One example of a vision enhancing system is known as a synthetic vision system (hereinafter, “SVS”). A typical SVS is configured to work in conjunction with a position determining unit associated with the aircraft as well as dynamic sensors that sense aircraft altitude, heading, and orientation. The SVS includes or accesses a database containing information relating to the topography along the aircraft's flight pat...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes an aircraft synthetic vision system that uses data from local area augmentation systems and global positioning systems to create a realistic image of the airport and surrounding area. The system retrieves topographical information from a database and validates it using the geographical information associated with the airport. This ensures that the topographical information is accurate and corrects any errors or inconsistencies. The system then generates a three-dimensional image of the airport and surrounding area based on the corrected topographical information. The technical effect of this system is to provide a safer and more reliable visual reference for the pilot during takeoff, descent, and landing phases of the flight.

Problems solved by technology

The approach to landing and touch down on the runway of an aircraft is probably the most challenging task a pilot undertakes during normal operation.

In some instances visibility may be poor during approach and landing operations, resulting in what is known as instrument flight conditions.

The usefulness of these SVS systems for approach and landing is limited, however, by the accuracy of the topographical database, particularly in the terminal area of the airport.

It has been discovered, for example, that in some instances, published terminal area topographical data may include unintended errors or biases in relation to the geographic position of certain features, such as runways, obstacles, etc.

If these errors or biases are then introduced into the SVS topographical databases, then the 3-D rendered images presented to the pilot on the SVS may not match the aircraft's actual environment, which is problematic in the context of flying a precision approach to the airport supplemented by the SVS.

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