Aircraft Obstacle Awareness Display for Wingtip Height Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft obstacle detection systems primarily provide information on lateral obstacles, failing to explicitly address whether the aircraft's wingtips or nacelles will clear obstacles based on height, which is crucial for safe navigation.
Innovation Solution
The system integrates radar sensors and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data with an airport moving map database to predict and display target threats based on both lateral and vertical proximity, using scalable range rings and visual cues to differentiate primary and secondary obstacles, and provides alerts through a cockpit user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If radar sensors are placed at the wingtips to detect obstacles, then crewmembers' awareness of lateral obstacles is improved, but the system fails to provide information about whether the aircraft will clear obstacles based on height
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from two-dimensional lateral obstacle detection to three-dimensional obstacle assessment by integrating vertical height data. The obstacle height display module presents altitude information in a vertical dimension, allowing pilots to evaluate both lateral proximity and vertical clearance simultaneously, thereby resolving the information gap about whether the aircraft will clear obstacles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple data sources including radar sensor data, ADS-B data, and airport moving map database information into a unified obstacle awareness display. This integration merges lateral position data with height information, creating a comprehensive three-dimensional obstacle picture that simultaneously provides both lateral and vertical clearance assessment.
2Reliability
If only lateral location of obstacles is provided, then the system remains simple, but it does not explicitly address whether wingtips or nacelles will clear obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of predicted obstacle clearance by comparing obstacle height data with aircraft wing and nacelle geometry before the aircraft reaches the obstacle. This advance assessment provides pilots with predictive clearance information, allowing them to take corrective action before the situation becomes critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary processing layer that receives raw radar and ADS-B data, integrates it with aircraft geometry information from the airport moving map database, and translates it into intuitive visual displays showing both lateral and vertical clearance. This intermediary layer manages system complexity by handling data integration and presentation automatically.
3Measurement precision
If radar sensors and ADS-B data are integrated with airport moving map database, then obstacle detection accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a multi-functional obstacle awareness display module that simultaneously processes radar sensor data, ADS-B data, and airport moving map database information. This universal display component handles multiple data types and performs both obstacle detection and clearance prediction functions, reducing overall system complexity through functional consolidation.
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 situational awareness by accurately depicting obstacle height and proximity, reducing false alarms and enabling pilots to take effective collision-avoidance actions, thereby improving aircraft safety.
Implementation Method 1
The sensors 26 integrated in the wing and tail modules 30 provide near-complete sensor coverage of the aircraft 20
Implementation Method 2
The ADS-B data provides aircraft-type data and an onboard database provides a look-up table for aircraft and/or other vehicle geometry information
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for predicting and displaying targets based on height in relation to the wing, wingtip or other elements of the aircraft, such as engine nacelles. The location of ground obstacles is based on radar returns (from sensors deployed on the ownship), aircraft surveillance data, and/or an airport moving map database.