Aircraft Positioning Error Evaluation Using Radar Ground Targets
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Solution Overview
Problem
The accuracy of aircraft positioning using GPS systems can be compromised by unfavorable weather conditions, radioelectric interference, and obstacles, leading to potential incidents and accidents due to temporary accuracy defects in signal transmission and reception.
Innovation Solution
A process and device that utilize radar means to detect and measure the position of ground targets relative to the aircraft, allowing for the evaluation of positioning errors by comparing measured and known positions, with threshold values, and enabling correction of aircraft positioning if errors exceed a certain threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS positioning system is used as sole source of positioning, then positioning information is supplied relatively reliably and accurately under normal conditions, but accuracy can be reduced temporarily due to bad signal transmission/reception, weather conditions, radioelectric interference, or obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces radar means as an intermediary system to detect ground targets and provide reference positions. This intermediary allows cross-checking of GPS positioning accuracy by comparing radar-measured target positions with GPS-derived positions, enabling the system to compensate for GPS accuracy reductions without completely replacing GPS functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the evaluated positioning error is fed back to the pilot or navigation system. When positioning accuracy falls below a threshold, the system provides feedback about the error magnitude, allowing for corrective action. This feedback loop addresses the reliability-precision contradiction by continuously monitoring and responding to accuracy degradation.
2Measurement precision
If radar means are added to detect ground targets and evaluate positioning errors, then positioning error evaluation becomes possible, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the radar means multi-functional by using it both for its traditional air traffic surveillance function and for detecting ground targets to evaluate positioning accuracy. This universality reduces the need for separate dedicated equipment, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while still achieving positioning error evaluation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses existing radar infrastructure to serve the additional purpose of positioning verification. By making the radar self-serve dual functions (surveillance and positioning error detection), the patent avoids requiring entirely new systems, thus minimizing the complexity penalty while achieving the desired measurement precision improvement.
3Reliability
If positioning error evaluation is performed continuously, then permanent accuracy monitoring is achieved, but computational resources and processing time are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by evaluating positioning errors only when and where necessary - specifically when the aircraft is over ground areas with detectable targets and when accuracy thresholds are approached. This selective evaluation approach maintains reliable monitoring capability while avoiding continuous processing overhead, achieving the right balance between monitoring thoroughness and computational efficiency.
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
This solution provides a permanent and accurate evaluation of aircraft positioning errors, enabling pilots to make informed decisions and ensuring accurate navigation by correcting positioning data in real-time, without requiring additional detection facilities.
Implementation Method 1
radar means for detecting the presence of at least one group of targets arranged on the ground and for measuring the position thereof with respect to the aircraft positioning
Data Source
AI summary
A process for evaluating an error in the aircraft positioning as generated by an on-board positioning system is disclosed. The aircraft positioning as generated by the positioning system is recorded through radar means, the presence of at least one group of targets arranged on the ground is detected through said radar means, the position of such a group of targets is measured through said radar means with respect to the aircraft positioning, and the error in the aircraft positioning is evaluated, comparing with at least one threshold value the value of at least one reference magnitude being characteristic of the difference existing between the measured position and a known position of the group of targets with respect to the aircraft positioning.