Atmospheric Optical Path Correction for Accurate Target Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation and radar systems suffer from systematic positional errors due to inadequate accounting for atmospheric optical distortion, leading to inaccuracies in determining the location, altitude, and speed of objects, particularly in GPS failure scenarios, which compromises air travel safety and defense system effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes high-resolution forecast models and Snell's Law to calculate real-time optical path corrections by integrating numerical weather data with object location detectors, accounting for atmospheric properties such as temperature, humidity, and pressure to improve positional accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional radar and navigation systems use standardized atmosphere models with fixed correction factors, then the system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to systematic positional errors from inadequate atmospheric distortion accounting
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of atmospheric refraction effects using current atmospheric data before radar observations are made. By pre-computing correction factors based on real-time atmospheric conditions (temperature, pressure, humidity profiles), the system prepares correction values in advance that can be applied to radar measurements, improving positioning accuracy without adding operational complexity during actual use
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary atmospheric data processing layer between the radar system and the standardized atmosphere models. This intermediary component retrieves current atmospheric data from weather models or sensors, calculates actual refraction effects, and provides corrected positioning data to the radar system, thereby resolving the contradiction by mediating between simple standardized models and precise real-time measurements
2Measurement precision
If simplified atmospheric property representations are used in radar and KTM data processing, then ease of manufacture and operation are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to unrealized errors in airframe position determination
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static, simplified atmospheric property representations to dynamic, real-time atmospheric data. By continuously updating atmospheric profiles (temperature, pressure, humidity) from weather models or sensor networks, the system adapts correction factors to current conditions, improving airframe position accuracy while managing operational complexity through automated data processing
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual or simplified mechanical atmospheric correction methods with automated computational processing. By using computer algorithms to calculate refraction effects based on atmospheric data and apply corrections to radar and KTM measurements, the system improves precision while reducing operational complexity through automation
3Measurement precision
If high-resolution forecast models and real-time atmospheric data processing are implemented, then measurement precision is improved by reducing systematic positional errors, but device complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the atmospheric correction process into distinct functional components: atmospheric data acquisition from weather models or sensors, calculation of refraction indices based on temperature/pressure/humidity profiles, computation of corrected ray paths using Snell's law, and application of corrections to radar observations. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall complex system through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters used in atmospheric correction from fixed standardized values to dynamic real-time parameters. By incorporating current atmospheric conditions (temperature, pressure, humidity at different altitudes) into the refraction calculations, the system improves object location accuracy while managing computational complexity through efficient parameter processing and selection of critical atmospheric layers
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
Enhances the accuracy of object location and targeting systems by reducing systematic positional errors, thereby improving air travel safety and defense system performance.
Implementation Method 1
atmospheric optical distortion is a consequence of electromagnetic radiation refracting, or bending, between the observer and the distal object due to variations in atmospheric density
Data Source
AI summary
An automated electromagnetic radiation target location correction method may an automated electromagnetic radiation target location correction method comprising in combination: with a locator system, electromagnetically identifying a preliminary distal target location as being along an electromagnetic ray path through atmosphere intermediate a locator device and a distal target distal from the locator device; with an automated computing system: calculating 1 to n indices of refraction in 1 to n differing discrete portions, respectively, along the electromagnetic ray path, wherein n is an integer greater that 1; for each discrete ray path portion, computing an adjusted ray path due to an index of electromagnetic refraction associated with the discrete ray path portion; computing a modified electromagnetic ray path including each discrete ray path's associated adjusted ray path; computing the adjusted target location according to the modified electromagnetic ray path; and communicating the adjusted target location to the locator system in support of path correction by the locator system.