A method and apparatus for automatic radio tuning of a helicopter flight management system

Abstract

The application provides a helicopter flight management system radio automatic tuning method and device, the method comprises the following steps: S1, the flight management system acquires helicopter position information, the position information comprises longitude and latitude; S2, the flight management system searches a preset database, and determines whether the helicopter enters the coverage range of a second ground station except a first ground station; the first ground station is a current access ground station; the preset database stores the frequency and coverage range of each radio communication and navigation ground station; S3, if yes, the frequency of the airborne radio communication and navigation equipment is switched to the frequency of the second ground station. According to the current position of the helicopter, the frequency of the radio communication and navigation equipment can be automatically tuned, the operation automation degree in the flight process is greatly improved, and the operation load of the crew is effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of avionics system design, and particularly relates to a method and apparatus for automatic radio tuning of a helicopter flight management system. Background Technology

[0002] The Flight Management System (FMS) mainly performs functions such as position calculation, flight plan management, wireless communication navigation equipment tuning, and performance management.

[0003] Flight management systems enable helicopters to achieve area navigation, unlike traditional point-to-point navigation that relies on ground-based navigation stations. Area navigation allows helicopters to fly along any desired route within the coverage area of ​​navigation signals. However, radio navigation remains an important auxiliary navigation method for helicopters.

[0004] The flight management system receives data from multiple short-range and long-range navigation sensors (VOR / DME, DME / DME, AHRS, GPS) for position calculation. Based on the current position and flight plan, the calculated navigation data is displayed on the MCDU and MFD. The flight management system can create flight routes globally, and the horizontal navigation function guides the pilot along the predetermined route based on navigation information calculated from geographic coordinates.

[0005] The flight management system also provides a human-machine interface for radio communication and navigation equipment, providing equipment control commands such as frequency tuning and mode control.

[0006] In traditional flight management systems, pilots need to manually tune and control radio communication and navigation equipment based on the controlled area, the signal coverage of radio navigation stations, and the type of terminal. This results in a heavy operational workload. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention proposes a method and apparatus for automatic radio tuning of a helicopter flight management system. The flight management system can automatically tune the radio communication and navigation equipment according to the helicopter's current position, which greatly improves the degree of automation of operations during flight and effectively reduces the crew's operational load.

[0008] The first aspect of this invention provides a method for automatic radio tuning of a helicopter flight management system, comprising:

[0009] S1. The flight management system obtains the helicopter's location information, including latitude and longitude.

[0010] S2. The flight management system searches the preset database to determine whether the helicopter has entered the coverage area of ​​a second ground station other than the first ground station; the first ground station is the currently connected ground station; the preset database stores the frequencies and coverage areas of each radio communication and navigation ground station.

[0011] S3. If so, switch the frequency of the airborne radio communication and navigation equipment to the frequency of the second ground station.

[0012] Optionally, the preset database also stores the priorities of each radio communication and navigation ground station; the method further includes:

[0013] When there are multiple second ground stations, the frequency of the airborne radio communication and navigation equipment is switched to the frequency of the second ground station with the highest priority.

[0014] Optionally, the priority of the ground station is determined based on the signal strength and control level of the ground station.

[0015] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0016] When there are multiple second ground stations, the frequency of the airborne radio communication and navigation equipment is switched to the frequency of the ground station closer to the flight path.

[0017] Optionally, after S3, the method further includes:

[0018] S4. Store the frequency of the first ground station as a spare frequency;

[0019] S5. Upon receiving a rapid switching command from the pilot, switch the frequency of the airborne radio communication and navigation equipment back to the frequency of the first ground station.

[0020] Optionally, the ground station identifier stored in the database uses a 4-byte ASCII code.

[0021] Optionally, the airborne radio communication and navigation equipment is an airborne radio communication and navigation equipment configured to automatically switch frequencies.

[0022] A second aspect of the present invention provides a radio automatic tuning device for a helicopter flight management system, for performing the method as described in any one of the first aspects.

[0023] The beneficial technical effects of this application are as follows:

[0024] This invention proposes a method and apparatus for automatic radio tuning of a helicopter flight management system. By applying this invention, the flight management system can automatically tune the radio communication and navigation equipment according to the helicopter's current position, which greatly improves the degree of automation of operations during flight and effectively reduces the crew's operational load. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a list of ground stations.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the coverage area of ​​the ground station.

[0027] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of automatic tuning switch for airborne equipment

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the automatic tuning method. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The specific details of the technical solution provided by the present invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Please see Figure 1-4 The present invention provides a method and apparatus for automatic radio tuning of a helicopter flight management system.

[0031] This invention provides a radio automatic tuning method for a helicopter flight management system based on a navigation database, which can effectively improve the level of automation during flight and reduce the operational load on the crew.

[0032] The implementation steps are as follows:

[0033] Step 1: Generate a navigation database containing radio communication and navigation ground station information on the ground.

[0034] The navigation database format is defined as follows:

[0035]

[0036]

[0037] The effective range of the ground station is formed by the aforementioned closed electric field.

[0038] Step 2: Load the above navigation database into the flight management system.

[0039] Step 3: You can preview the coverage area of ​​the wireless communication navigation ground station on the helicopter, including information such as ground station identification, ground station type, ground station location, and effective range.

[0040] Step 4: Select the airborne radio communication and navigation equipment that needs to be automatically tuned.

[0041] Step 5: The flight management system tunes the airborne radio communication and navigation equipment based on the helicopter's real-time location and the radio communication and navigation ground station information in the navigation database.

[0042] Tuning principles:

[0043] The flight management system determines the ground station type. If the ground station type matches the airborne equipment type:

[0044] When entering a blank area from the current ground station area, maintain the current tuning frequency.

[0045] When moving from the current ground station area to a new ground station area

[0046] If the area is covered by a single ground station, the flight management system will automatically tune the airborne equipment to that ground station;

[0047] If the area is covered by multiple ground stations, the flight management system performs tuning operations according to the priority of the ground stations.

[0048] If the area is covered by multiple ground stations with the same priority, the flight management system will perform a tuning operation based on the relative bearing of the aircraft.

[0049] If the area is covered by multiple ground stations with the same priority and the same relative bearing to the aircraft, the flight management system will perform a tuning operation based on the distance between the ground stations and the aircraft.

[0050] Step 6: The flight management system notifies the crew of a successful tuning notification.

[0051] Step 7: Cancel tuning operation with one key (optional).

[0052] The radio communication navigation ground station information includes latitude and longitude coordinates, frequency, and a user-defined effective signal coverage area. This information is stored in the navigation database, which is then loaded into the flight management system.

[0053] The list of radio communication and navigation ground stations can be viewed in the onboard flight management system, and the effective signal coverage of each ground station can be graphically displayed on the helicopter map navigation page.

[0054] The unit can individually configure the airborne radio communication and navigation equipment, including whether it accepts automatic frequency tuning control.

[0055] Based on the helicopter's current real-time location, the flight management system determines the coverage area of ​​the ground station where the helicopter is located and performs frequency tuning for the airborne radio communication and navigation equipment. Upon successful tuning, the new frequency is set as the current operating frequency, the old frequency is set as the backup frequency, and the flight crew is notified of the successful tuning.

[0056] The crew can switch between the operating frequency and the standby frequency with a single click through the flight management system. After the crew manually switches between the operating frequency and the standby frequency, the flight management system will no longer perform automatic tuning operations on the airborne equipment within the coverage area of ​​the current ground station until the next signal zone is entered.

Claims

1. A method for automatic radio tuning in a helicopter flight management system, characterized in that, include: S1. The flight management system obtains the helicopter's location information, including latitude and longitude. S2. The flight management system searches the preset database to determine whether the helicopter has entered the coverage area of ​​a second ground station other than the first ground station; the first ground station is the currently connected ground station; the preset database stores the frequencies and coverage areas of each radio communication and navigation ground station. S3. If so, switch the frequency of the airborne radio communication and navigation equipment to the frequency of the second ground station; Following S3, the method further includes: S4. Store the frequency of the first ground station as a spare frequency; S5. Upon receiving a rapid switching command from the pilot, switch the frequency of the airborne radio communication and navigation equipment back to the frequency of the first ground station.

2. The automatic radio tuning method for a helicopter flight management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pre-defined database also stores the priorities of each radio communication and navigation ground station; the method further includes: When there are multiple second ground stations, the frequency of the airborne radio communication and navigation equipment is switched to the frequency of the second ground station with the highest priority.

3. The automatic radio tuning method for a helicopter flight management system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The priority of ground stations is determined based on their signal strength and control level.

4. The automatic radio tuning method for a helicopter flight management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: When there are multiple second ground stations, the frequency of the airborne radio communication and navigation equipment is switched to the frequency of the ground station closer to the flight path.

5. The automatic radio tuning method for a helicopter flight management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ground station identifiers stored in the database use 4-byte ASCII codes.

6. The automatic radio tuning method for a helicopter flight management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The airborne radio communication and navigation equipment is an airborne radio communication and navigation equipment configured to automatically switch frequencies.

7. A helicopter flight management system radio automatic tuning device, characterized in that, Used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-6.

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