Adaptive Bearing Correction Using GPS Positional Data
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft collision avoidance systems face accuracy issues in determining bearing due to factors like fuselage curvature, manufacturing variations, and environmental changes, leading to unreliable advisories and potential safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a receiver, processor, and memory to calculate and apply correction amounts to uncorrected bearings, using positional data from sources like GPS and ADS-B, to provide adaptive and accurate bearing information for situational awareness, accounting for changes in the environment and equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional amplitude monopulse or phase monopulse systems are used to determine bearing, then the system can provide bearing information for situational awareness, but the accuracy of bearing determination degrades due to fuselage curvature, manufacturing variations, and environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses GPS/ADS-B positional data as a reference truth and compares it with bearing-derived positions to calculate correction amounts. These corrections are fed back to adjust future bearing determinations, creating a closed-loop system that continuously improves accuracy by compensating for fuselage curvature and environmental effects
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts bearing determination by applying correction amounts that modify the raw bearing measurements. These parameter changes compensate for systematic errors introduced by fuselage curvature and environmental factors, transforming inaccurate measurements into accurate positional information
2Reliability
If fixed correction models are used to compensate for fuselage curvature, then some bearing errors can be corrected, but the system becomes unreliable when installation conditions or equipment change
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static fixed correction models to dynamic adaptive corrections. Correction amounts are continuously updated based on real-time comparison between GPS/ADS-B positions and bearing-derived positions, allowing the system to adapt to changing installation conditions, equipment variations, and environmental factors
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically calculates and applies its own corrections by comparing its bearing measurements with independent positional data from GPS and ADS-B. This self-correcting mechanism eliminates the need for manual recalibration and maintains reliability across different installation scenarios
3Measurement precision
If manual bearing indicator setting is used to correct for aircraft curvature, then bearing errors can be compensated, but errors occur when wrong values are set or predefined values are inappropriate
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically calculates correction amounts by comparing bearing-derived positions with GPS/ADS-B positional data. This eliminates manual intervention entirely, preventing human errors in setting correction values while maintaining bearing accuracy through automated self-correction
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment of bearing indicators with automated electronic correction. The processor automatically calculates and applies corrections based on positional data, substituting human operation with an electronic system that eliminates human error
Data Source
AI summary
A system determines bearing for situational awareness. The system may include a receiver, a processor, and a memory comprising an engine for performing a method. The method includes receiving signals using directional reception; receiving positional data; calculating a correction amount; and applying the correction amount to subsequent uncorrected bearings to provide corrected bearings. Positional data may be received in any conventional format including data link, ADS-B, and MODE S. Positional data may be determined in the target using a global positioning system. The system may provide a signal to display the corrected bearing and/or provide traffic alerting and collision avoidance advisories.