Aircraft Navigation Using Diverse-Ranging Algorithm
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reliance on GPS for aircraft navigation and surveillance is vulnerable to interference and spoofing, necessitating an alternative navigation system that is not dependent on GPS signals and can meet the stringent accuracy and integrity requirements of ADS-B systems.
Innovation Solution
A method using broadcast messages and ground transceivers to determine aircraft positions through diverse-ranging processing, where aircraft transmit and receive messages with timestamp data, allowing for position calculation independent of GPS, and incorporating barometric altitude and velocity data for enhanced accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS is used for aircraft navigation and surveillance, then positioning accuracy and operational efficiency are improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to interference and spoofing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ground transceivers as intermediary elements between satellites and aircraft. These transceivers receive satellite signals and re-transmit processed signals to aircraft, creating an additional layer that can validate signal integrity and detect spoofing attempts. The ground-based infrastructure acts as a trusted mediator that enhances both accuracy and reliability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by transitioning from direct satellite-to-aircraft signal transmission to a ground-transceiver-mediated transmission model. This parameter change enables the use of ground-based reference stations that can monitor signal characteristics, validate positioning data, and provide backup navigation capabilities independent of satellite signals.
2Reliability
If DME/DME navigation is used as an alternative to GPS, then independence from GPS signals is achieved, but positioning accuracy and coverage are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple navigation approaches by combining ground transceiver infrastructure with aircraft-based signal processing. The system integrates ground-based DME transponders with advanced signal processing algorithms that enable multiple aircraft to cooperate in determining each other's positions, thereby achieving both GPS independence and enhanced accuracy beyond what traditional DME/DME can provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a new dimension to DME navigation by enabling aircraft to not only receive ground transceiver signals but also transmit signals that are received by multiple other aircraft and ground transceivers. This creates a multi-dimensional positioning capability where positions are determined through multiple signal paths and cooperative measurements, significantly improving accuracy over conventional two-way DME.
3Reliability
If ground transceivers are deployed for alternative navigation, then GPS vulnerability is reduced, but infrastructure requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ground transceivers are designed to perform multiple functions: they serve as DME transponders for distance measurement, as signal relay points for enhancing positioning accuracy, and as reference stations for validating signal integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated infrastructure for each purpose, thereby managing complexity while achieving high resilience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables aircraft to actively participate in the navigation infrastructure by using their own transponders and receivers to both send and receive positioning signals. Aircraft cooperate with each other and with ground transceivers to create a distributed positioning network, reducing the burden on centralized ground infrastructure while maintaining high reliability and accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of aircraft navigation via receiving signals emitted by other aircraft and corresponding reply message transmitted by ground transceivers and the using a new diverse-ranging algorithm that solves for the positions of a eavesdropping aircraft and the positions of direct-reply aircraft emitting the signals received by the eavesdropping aircraft.