Aircraft Relative Positioning Using 3D Outline Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the positioning of a following aircraft relative to a leading aircraft in formation flight are not sufficiently accurate or rapid, limiting the fuel savings benefits of formation flight.
Innovation Solution
A method involving image acquisition, detection, and registration algorithms using a three-dimensional model of the leading aircraft, with deep learning techniques for rapid and accurate positioning determination, allowing for precise flight instructions and autonomous piloting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standard GPS-based methods are used for measuring relative positions, then transmission means can be implemented, but measurement precision and speed are insufficient for optimal formation flight positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces GPS-based electronic transmission methods with an optical image processing system. The following aircraft captures images of the leading aircraft using a camera, and the processing unit analyzes these images to determine relative position. This substitution of mechanical/optical systems for electronic communication systems enables both high precision (through detailed image analysis) and high speed (through rapid image processing), resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and positioning speed.
2Productivity
If the following aircraft is servocontrolled to repeat flight instructions, then formation flight efficiency is improved, but positioning accuracy must be sufficiently high and rapid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the image processing system continuously monitors the relative position between following and leading aircraft, and this information is fed back to the servocontrol system. The processing unit calculates precise positioning data from image analysis and transmits this feedback to adjust the following aircraft's flight instructions. This closed-loop feedback ensures both high positioning accuracy (through continuous image-based measurement) and formation flight efficiency (through rapid servocontrol adjustment).
Data Source
AI summary
The method includes a step of acquisition of an image of the leading aircraft, a step of extraction of the outline, an adjustment step including implementing an outline registration algorithm, to determine an optimized profile from a comparison of the outline of the leading aircraft with a profile of the leading aircraft determined from a three-dimensional model of the leading aircraft and from an initial position of the following aircraft with respect to the leading aircraft, and a step of determination of the positioning according to six degrees of freedom of the following aircraft with respect to the leading aircraft, from the optimized profile and from the three-dimensional model of the leading aircraft. The method thus makes it possible to rapidly and accurately determine the positioning of the following aircraft with respect to the leading aircraft, this positioning being used to implement a formation flight.