Aircraft Terrain Avoidance System with Azimuth Clearance Sectors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (TAWS) for aircraft lack the ability to provide effective avoidance trajectories for situations where a simple upward maneuver is insufficient, particularly when aircraft are turning or approaching significant relief, leading to a need for more advanced guidance to prevent collisions with terrain.

Innovation Solution

An embedded system that detects potential collisions by using protection volumes linked to the aircraft, modeling standard vertical avoidance maneuvers, and providing indications for azimuth clearance sectors and compound maneuvers to safely alter the aircraft's route, which can be executed manually or automatically, minimizing route alterations and slope changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a simple upward avoidance maneuver is used, then the system is easy to operate and quick to execute, but it fails when the aircraft is turning or approaching significant relief that cannot be cleared vertically

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of avoidance maneuverVSAvoideffectiveness of collision avoidance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The avoidance maneuver is segmented into two distinct phases: a lateral change of heading component and a vertical climb component. This segmentation allows the system to first position the aircraft laterally to clear the terrain obstacle, then climb vertically to achieve safe altitude, making the maneuver adaptable to both simple and complex terrain scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from purely vertical avoidance (single dimension) to compound maneuvers that incorporate lateral heading changes (adding a second dimension). This dimensional expansion enables the aircraft to clear terrain obstacles that cannot be avoided by vertical climb alone, such as when turning or approaching significant relief

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If automated avoidance maneuvers are implemented, then crew reaction time is reduced and safety is improved, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of avoidance executionVSAvoidcomplexity of avoidance system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and stores optimal avoidance trajectories in a database before they are needed. When terrain collision risk is detected, the pre-computed trajectories are rapidly retrieved and executed, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations while maintaining high speed and accuracy of avoidance execution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a simplified geometric model (protection volume) that replicates the essential safety requirements without modeling the full complexity of aircraft dynamics. This copied model enables fast automated decision-making while the actual aircraft execution follows standard maneuvering procedures, balancing automation speed with operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If frequent avoidance maneuvers are performed, then collision risk is reduced, but forces on the airframe increase and passenger comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety from terrain collisionVSAvoidforces on airframe and passenger comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system adjusts maneuver parameters dynamically based on the specific terrain scenario and aircraft state. By optimizing climb angle, heading change rate, and throttle settings for each situation, the system achieves effective collision avoidance while minimizing unnecessary structural loads and passenger discomfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies avoidance maneuvers with appropriate intensity based on the actual risk level. For minor terrain clearances, smaller lateral and vertical adjustments are made rather than maximum-performance maneuvers, reducing forces on the airframe and improving passenger comfort while still ensuring safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS8897935B2Method and device for aircraft, for avoiding collision with the terrain

Publication Date: 2014.11.25 THALES SA

AI summary

This disclosure relates to a system for preventing collisions with a terrain. The system includes a detecting means for detecting risks of collision with the terrain after a predetermined forecasting delay. The system further includes a determining means for determining, based on a trajectory followed by the aircraft, a possible limit point for success of the vertical terrain avoidance maneuver. The system further includes indication means for giving indications on azimuth clearance sections, around the direction in which the aircraft is moving, suitable for success of the vertical terrain avoidance maneuver. The system further includes means for estimating a free-travel distance in each azimuth clearance sector on a straight distancing trajectory with constant gradient and over a distance correspond to more than one minute of flight, the free-travel distance being free of potential conflicts with the terrain. The system further includes means for signaling azimuth clearance sections and free-travel distances.