Radio Altimeter Failure Indicators from Dual Altitude Statistics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack the capability to detect or predict radio altimeter failures, which can lead to aircraft performance issues, flight delays, cancellations, and high maintenance costs due to erroneous altitude readings and unforeseen failures.
Innovation Solution
A data analytics system that analyzes historical data from radio altimeters to calculate a radio altimeter failure indicator by determining differences in altitude values and features such as mode, median, mean, and standard deviation values, allowing for the prediction of potential failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radio altimeter failure detection and prediction capability is added to the system, then aircraft reliability and resource management improve, but device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of altitude value patterns and calculates statistical features (mode, median, mean, standard deviation) before actual failure occurs. By computing a failure indicator based on historical data and comparing it against thresholds in advance, the system predicts potential failures before they impact aircraft operations, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex real-time intervention systems.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive statistical analysis of altitude values is performed, then failure prediction accuracy improves, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential statistical features (mode, median, mean, standard deviation) from the comprehensive altitude value data set. By calculating a failure indicator based on these specific extracted features rather than analyzing every raw data point, the system achieves accurate failure prediction while minimizing computational load and processing time.
3Reliability
If real-time failure detection is implemented, then aircraft performance is maintained, but operational costs and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors altitude values from multiple radio altimeters and provides feedback through the failure indicator. When the indicator exceeds a threshold, the system alerts operators to potential failures, enabling proactive maintenance scheduling. This feedback mechanism maintains aircraft performance by detecting issues early while allowing maintenance to be planned during non-critical periods, thus preserving operational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for predicting radio altimeter failures are provided. An example method may include determining a first plurality of altitude values associated with a first radio altimeter, determining a second plurality of altitude values associated with a second radio altimeter, calculating a first level feature based at least in part on the first plurality of altitude values and the second plurality of altitude values, and determining a radio altimeter failure indicator based at least in part on the first level feature.