Aircraft Airport Marker Detection for Low Visibility Traffic Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional airport traffic management systems are challenging to implement during low visibility conditions, as aircraft operators and air traffic control struggle to identify relevant features, leading to difficulties in situational awareness and effective traffic management.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft system that includes a processing unit to identify airport markers and automatically generate reporting messages based on these markers, which are then sent to air traffic control via a communications unit, enhancing situational awareness and traffic management, particularly during low visibility operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional display systems and airport surface detection equipment are used, then basic traffic information is provided, but situational awareness deteriorates during low visibility conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual identification and reporting mechanisms with an automated optical detection system. The system uses an optical sensor to detect airport marker lights and automatically generates position reports, eliminating the need for manual visual assessment by operators during low visibility conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the aircraft to automatically detect its own position relative to airport markers and self-report this information to air traffic control. This self-service capability removes the burden from operators to manually identify markers and file position reports, especially critical when visibility is poor.
2Measurement precision
If manual position reporting is used, then air traffic control receives position information, but reporting accuracy and timeliness deteriorate during low visibility conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual identification and reporting mechanisms with an automated optical detection system. The system uses an optical sensor to detect airport marker lights and automatically generates position reports, eliminating the need for manual visual assessment by operators during low visibility conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the aircraft's position by detecting airport markers and provides real-time feedback through automated position reports to air traffic control. This closed-loop feedback ensures accurate and timely position information is always available, regardless of visibility conditions.
3Measurement precision
If automated marker detection is implemented, then position reporting accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing multi-functional aircraft systems to implement marker detection. The optical sensor and processing capabilities are integrated into existing avionics infrastructure, allowing the system to perform multiple functions including marker detection, position determination, and automated reporting without requiring entirely new specialized hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital representation of the aircraft's physical position by detecting optical signals from airport markers. This digital copy of position information is then automatically transmitted to air traffic control, providing accurate position data without requiring complex physical measurement instruments.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft system includes a processing unit configured to identify an airport marker during a surface operation at an airport. The processing unit is further configured to automatically generate a reporting message based on the airport marker at a predetermined location relative to the airport marker. The aircraft system further includes a communications unit coupled to the processing unit and configured to send the reporting message.