Aircraft Docking Guidance With Dynamic Speed and Type Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional visual docking guidance systems (VDGS) face challenges in accurately determining aircraft type, providing timely speed adjustments, ensuring readability of display text, guiding on curved paths, and addressing varying aircraft models during parking, often resulting in late stop signals or hard braking.
Innovation Solution
The VDGS employs dual aircraft type determination methods (ADS-B signal analysis and laser scanning), adjusts font size based on distance, provides type-specific curve guidance, and monitors speed relative to stop position to ensure safe and efficient docking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed maximum speed is enforced in the conventional VDGS, then safety is maintained, but the pilot needs to perform hard braking or stop signals are issued too late
Solution Approach 1:
The maximum allowed speed is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system continuously adjusts the maximum allowed speed based on the current distance to the stop position, creating a speed profile that is faster at greater distances and progressively slower as the aircraft approaches the stand. This dynamic adjustment allows smooth deceleration without abrupt stop signals or hard braking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system calculates and communicates the distance-dependent maximum allowed speed in advance to the pilot, allowing the pilot to adjust speed proactively rather than reacting to late stop signals. The speed guidance is provided continuously as the aircraft approaches, enabling smooth speed management before critical distance is reached.
2Ease of operation
If the font size is kept large for readability, then text is easy to read, but less information can be displayed at once
Solution Approach 1:
The font size is made dynamic and is automatically adjusted based on the detected distance of the approaching aircraft. When the aircraft is far away, larger font size is used for maximum readability. As the aircraft approaches and the display distance decreases, the font size is reduced accordingly, allowing more information elements to be displayed within the same screen area while maintaining appropriate readability for the viewing distance.
3Device complexity
If a single aircraft type model is used for guidance, then the system is simple, but it cannot reliably guide different aircraft types with varying dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a database containing dimensional parameters (length, width, wheelbase, etc.) for multiple aircraft types. Based on the detected aircraft type, the system selects the appropriate dimensional parameters from the database and uses these to calculate aircraft-specific guidance paths and stop positions. This allows accurate guidance for different aircraft types without requiring a completely different system for each type.
Solution Approach 2:
The guidance system provides customized guidance parameters specific to each aircraft type's dimensions. The lead-in line curvature, stop position, and speed profile are all adjusted according to the specific aircraft's characteristics, ensuring optimal guidance for each aircraft type while maintaining a unified system architecture.
4Measurement precision
If dual determination methods are used to validate aircraft type, then accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges two independent determination methods: ADS-B signal analysis (providing aircraft identification and type information) and laser scanning (providing dimensional verification). Both methods operate simultaneously and their results are cross-validated. The ADS-B data provides initial aircraft type identification while the laser scan verifies the dimensional characteristics match the expected profile, creating a robust validation system that leverages the strengths of both methods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances aircraft docking precision by validating aircraft type through dual methods, optimizing speed adjustments, improving display readability, and guiding on curved paths tailored to individual aircraft models, reducing the risk of late stop signals and hard braking.
Implementation Method 1
Laser scanning can be performed by one or more lidars. A lidar may be placed at a VDGS main housing or outside and/or remote to the VDGS main housing. The lidar scans the apron are and in particular generates a point cloud of points on the aircraft fuselage as a scan result.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein are directed to a visual docking guidance system configured to support an aircraft docking procedure where an approaching aircraft is docked at an airport stand. The VDGS is configured to detect the presence of the aircraft approaching the stand, identify at least the type of the approaching aircraft, determine a position of the approaching aircraft, output a visual guidance information via a display to the pilot of the aircraft, which supports the pilot during controlling movement of the aircraft to a stop position.