Coded Light Cone Landing Aid for Precise Urban Aircraft Approach
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for determining the position of aircraft during landing in urban environments lack precision and are costly, especially for electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, as they rely on expensive RF infrastructure and low-resolution visual indicators like PAPI, HAPI, and VAGS, which are inadequate for complex urban environments.
Innovation Solution
A ground-based visual landing aid system using a two-dimensional grid of light cones with unique identification codes, detected by an aircraft-based digital receiver to determine the aircraft's approach angles relative to the landing site, eliminating the need for expensive RF components and providing high-resolution navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional RF-based landing systems (ILS, MLS) or low-resolution visual indicators (PAPI, HAPI, VAGS) are used, then the system is simpler to implement, but the position determination precision is insufficient for complex urban environments
Solution Approach 1:
The radiating surface is divided into a two-dimensional grid of discrete light cones, where each light cone corresponds to a specific spatial sector. This segmentation allows the system to provide high-resolution position information by determining which specific light cone(s) the aircraft receives, enabling precise horizontal and vertical angle determination without requiring complex continuous signal processing
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from traditional one-dimensional or limited two-dimensional visual indicators to a full two-dimensional grid of light cones arranged in rows and columns. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous determination of both horizontal and vertical approach angles, providing comprehensive three-dimensional position information while maintaining visual simplicity through the grid structure
2Measurement precision
If high-precision landing systems with specialized equipment are deployed, then the position determination accuracy is improved, but the installation, calibration, maintenance and repair time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex RF-based mechanical and electronic systems with a purely optical system using light-emitting elements arranged in a grid pattern. This substitution eliminates the need for complex RF infrastructure, specialized calibration equipment, and intricate installation procedures, while achieving high precision through the geometric arrangement of light sources and simple optical detection
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a simplified optical model where light cones create visible patterns that directly represent spatial position information. The aircraft's position is determined by which light cones are visible, creating a direct visual copy of the aircraft's three-dimensional position relative to the target approach path, eliminating the need for complex signal processing and calibration
3Measurement precision
If traditional visual landing aids are used, then the system cost is lower, but the resolution is insufficient for complex urban landing environments
Solution Approach 1:
The visual landing aid is segmented into a two-dimensional grid of discrete light cones, where each light cone represents a specific angular sector in horizontal and vertical dimensions. This segmentation provides high navigation resolution by allowing the aircraft's position to be determined through the specific combination of visible light cones, while the modular grid structure maintains ease of manufacture and deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The grid of light cones serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides horizontal position information through column identification, vertical position information through row identification, and approach path guidance through the overall pattern. This multi-functionality achieves high navigation resolution without requiring separate systems for different measurement dimensions, maintaining implementation simplicity
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 system enables precise and accurate determination of the aircraft's position in both horizontal and vertical planes, reducing costs and radiation exposure, while providing scalable resolution for complex landing environments, thus enhancing aviation safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Each opening (5) contains a light-emitting element or a light-reflecting element which, together with the optical structure, forms a light cone (3) radiating in a specific direction
Data Source
AI summary
A system for determining a position of an autonomous or automated aircraft during its approach to a landing site comprises: a ground-based visual landing aid having a radiating surface, which radiates light in the form of light cones arranged discretely in a two-dimensional grid, wherein a navigation light is formed by a plurality of adjacent light cones, the light cones forming the navigation light change depending on a deviation of the aircraft from a target landing path; and an aircraft-based digital receiver, which, during the landing, continuously detects the positions of the light cones forming the navigation light along the radiating surface and determines, on the basis of the detected positions, a state of the aircraft, wherein the system is configured to generate commands for autonomously landing the aircraft or for assisting a pilot in landing the aircraft on the landing site based on the determined state of the aircraft.