Aircraft Relative Positioning by 3D Contour Matching in Formation Flight
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the positioning of a follower aircraft relative to a lead aircraft in formation flight are not sufficiently precise and fast, limiting the effectiveness of fuel consumption reduction through formation flight.
Innovation Solution
A method involving iterative image processing steps, including detection, contour extraction, and registration algorithms, using a three-dimensional model of the lead aircraft to calculate precise positioning data, with the aid of deep learning for efficient detection and adaptation to aerodynamic deformations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS-based mutual transmission methods are used to measure relative positions, then transmission between aircraft is enabled, but measurement precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces GPS-based electronic transmission systems with an optical-mechanical vision system. The follower aircraft uses a camera to capture images of the lead aircraft, and image processing algorithms extract precise relative position information from these visual data, achieving higher measurement precision while maintaining system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the measurement approach by changing from satellite-based coordinate transmission to image-based visual parameter extraction. By processing image features such as aircraft contour, position in field of view, and scale, the system derives accurate relative position parameters directly from visual information
2Measurement precision
If traditional image comparison methods are used, then lead aircraft detection is achieved, but positioning speed is insufficient for effective formation flight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-stores three-dimensional models of various aircraft types in the follower aircraft's database. During formation flight, these pre-loaded models enable rapid matching and identification without requiring real-time complex computations, thus achieving both high precision and fast positioning speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses stored three-dimensional models as templates to create virtual representations of the lead aircraft. By comparing the actual captured image against these pre-existing model copies, the system rapidly determines relative position with high precision, avoiding the need for complex real-time modeling
3Measurement precision
If precise positioning is achieved through detailed image processing, then formation flight effectiveness is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complex positioning task into distinct processing stages: image acquisition, lead aircraft detection, contour extraction, three-dimensional model matching, and position calculation. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high precision six degrees of freedom positioning
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
- Method for determining the positioning of a follower aircraft relative to a lead aircraft flying in front of the follower aircraft. - The method includes a step of acquiring an image of the lead aircraft, a step of extracting the contour (10), a fitting step consisting of implementing a contour registration algorithm, to determine an optimized profile (14C) from a comparison of the contour (10) of the lead aircraft with a profile of the lead aircraft determined from a three-dimensional model of the lead aircraft and an initial position of the follower aircraft relative to the lead aircraft, and a step of determining the positioning along six degrees of freedom of the follower aircraft relative to the lead aircraft, from the optimized profile and the three-dimensional model of the lead aircraft.The process thus makes it possible to determine quickly and accurately the positioning of the following aircraft relative to the leading aircraft, this positioning being used to implement a formation flight.