Aircraft Oblique Visibility Range Measurement System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current visibility indications provided to pilots, including cloud ceiling and runway visibility range, are insufficient for determining whether visual runway references can be seen at decision altitude, leading to disruptions in air traffic due to uncertain weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft-equipped system measures and transmits the oblique visibility range to a ground station, which then provides this information to other aircraft, enhancing pilots' decision-making for visual approaches by offering a more reliable visibility indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ground-based optical sensors measure runway visibility range (RVR) and cloud ceiling, then visibility indications are provided to pilots, but these indications are insufficient for determining whether visual runway references can be seen at decision altitude
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement system mounted on aircraft that directly measures oblique visibility along the approach path. This intermediary system bridges the gap between ground-based RVR measurements and the actual visibility conditions at decision altitude, providing pilots with accurate oblique visibility information that directly reflects what they will see during approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the indirect ground-based optical sensing system with a direct aircraft-mounted measurement system. By substituting the ground-based mechanical/optical infrastructure with an aircraft-integrated system using cameras and image processing, the patent achieves more relevant and accurate visibility measurements for the specific approach conditions.
2Productivity
If pilots rely on ground-provided visibility indications (RVR and ceiling), then air traffic flow is maintained, but pilots may make incorrect decisions about visual approach feasibility leading to traffic disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where aircraft-mounted systems directly measure oblique visibility and transmit this information to ground stations and other aircraft. This real-time feedback loop provides reliable visibility data that enables pilots to make informed decisions about visual approaches, reducing incorrect decisions and associated air traffic disruptions while maintaining efficient traffic flow.
3Measurement precision
If aircraft are equipped with systems to measure oblique visibility range, then pilots gain reliable visibility information, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the universality of modern aircraft by mounting measurement systems on aircraft that are already equipped with navigation and communication infrastructure. The system uses multi-functional components (cameras, GPS, transponders) that serve both existing aircraft functions and the new visibility measurement function, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables aircraft to self-measure their own visibility conditions during approach using onboard cameras and image processing algorithms. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex ground-based oblique visibility measurement infrastructure and reduces dependency on external systems, simplifying the overall measurement architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining and transmitting information on the oblique visibility range (SVR) of a runway (2) at a predetermined altitude (AD), referred to as the decision altitude, the runway being provided with a plurality of visual runway references placed on the ground, the method comprising the following successive steps: - a step of acquiring, by a first aircraft (1), an image of a surrounding scene located outside and in front of said aircraft; - a step of analyzing the image to detect visual runway references in the image and measuring the distance between the aircraft and each detected runway reference;- a transmission step to the ground station (ATC, ATIS), implemented by the first aircraft, of information on the slant range, the information including a distance between a visual runway reference and the aircraft measured at the analysis step if at least one runway reference was detected, or otherwise, information stating that no visual runway reference could be detected; - a transmission step, by the ground station, of the information on the slant range associated with the runway to at least one second aircraft in flight.