Aircraft Proximity Detection for Automatic Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft collision avoidance systems are inefficient and costly, particularly for rotorcraft and drones, due to the difficulty in detecting and avoiding small, fast-moving objects like birds and drones, and require complex and expensive sensor installations.
Innovation Solution
A method for detecting the approach of objects by estimating their trajectory and predicting potential collisions, using a combination of radar, optical, and imaging systems to alert pilots or automatically perform avoidance maneuvers, ensuring reliable and safe object avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laser scanning systems are used to improve obstacle detection effectiveness, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple functional components: radar subsystem for detecting objects, optical subsystem for imaging and recognition, and processing subsystem for trajectory estimation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system integrates multiple detection functions (radar detection, optical imaging, trajectory prediction, collision risk assessment) into a single multi-functional platform that serves both obstacle detection and collision avoidance purposes, reducing the need for separate specialized systems.
2Reliability
If TCAS and ADSB-In systems are installed on rotorcraft to improve collision avoidance, then safety is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase due to large antenna surface area requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional mechanical radar antennas with large surface areas with compact electronic radar sensors and optical cameras that achieve similar or superior detection performance with minimal physical footprint, suitable for rotorcraft installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by using frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar and optical imaging instead of traditional pulsed radar, enabling accurate distance and velocity measurement with compact sensors that require minimal installation space.
3Productivity
If automatic detection and avoidance systems are deployed to improve flight safety, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary trajectory estimation and collision risk assessment continuously in advance, allowing the aircraft to prepare avoidance maneuvers before actual collision threats materialize, improving response time and safety efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback by continuously monitoring object trajectories, recalculating collision risks in real-time, and dynamically adjusting avoidance maneuvers based on the latest detection data, ensuring adaptive and effective collision avoidance.
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
The method effectively anticipates and mitigates collision risks by providing timely alerts and automatic maneuvers, enhancing flight safety and reducing the complexity and cost of sensor installations.
Implementation Method 1
The detection device (51) for an object (10) in the environment of the aircraft (20) provides a first state of the object (10)
Implementation Method 2
using a combination of radar, optical, and imaging systems
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and device for avoiding an object by detecting its approach to an aircraft (20). After detecting an object in the vicinity of an aircraft (20) and its approach, a first trajectory of said object and a second trajectory of said aircraft (20) are estimated from successive first states of said object and successive second states of said aircraft (20). Next, a minimum distance (dm) between said first trajectory and said second trajectory is estimated, and an alarm is triggered as soon as said minimum distance falls below a first threshold in order to alert the crew of said aircraft (20) to a risk of collision. Finally, if the minimum distance is less than a second threshold, an avoidance maneuver is automatically performed by said aircraft (20) to deviate from said first trajectory and, consequently, eliminate any risk of collision with said object.