Aircraft Ground Navigation Using Dual Wing Radar Antennas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft navigation systems, such as INS, AHRS, and magnetic compasses, fail to provide accurate velocity and heading data during low-speed maneuvers or when stationary, especially in low-visibility surface operations, due to limitations in error margins and interference from ground infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A navigation system utilizing two radar antennas mounted on opposite wings of an aircraft to receive radar returns, with processing electronics determining wing velocities and calculating the aircraft's heading, velocity, and position based on these measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional navigation systems (INS, AHRS, magnetic compasses) are used, then the system is simple and reliable, but velocity and heading data accuracy deteriorates at low speeds and during stationary operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple navigation systems (GPS, INS, AHRS, magnetic compass) into an integrated navigation system that fuses data from all sources. The GPS/INS combination provides position and velocity data, while the AHRS and magnetic compass provide heading information. This merging allows the system to maintain accurate velocity and heading measurements even during low-speed operations and stationary periods by cross-validating and complementing data from different sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated navigation system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides position determination, velocity measurement, heading information, and navigation guidance. The system can operate effectively across the full range of aircraft speeds including stationary, low-speed taxiing, and high-speed flight, making it universally applicable to all operational phases without requiring separate specialized systems.
2Device complexity
If magnetic compass is used for heading information, then the system remains simple, but heading accuracy deteriorates during ground operations due to ground infrastructure interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines heading information from the magnetic compass with data from the AHRS (Attitude and Heading Reference System) and GPS/INS. The AHRS uses gyroscopic sensors to provide stable heading references that are not affected by ground infrastructure interference. By merging these multiple heading sources, the system can filter out interference from ground infrastructure and maintain accurate heading information during ground operations while retaining the simplicity of the magnetic compass for backup and cross-validation.
3Measurement precision
If SBAS or GBAS is used to improve GPS accuracy, then position error is reduced, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements SBAS (Satellite Based Augmentation System) or GBAS (Ground Based Augmentation System) selectively based on operational requirements and availability. Rather than requiring these augmentation systems to be always active or permanently installed, the system can utilize them when available to improve position accuracy during critical phases of flight, while falling back to standard GPS when they are not available. This partial implementation approach provides enhanced accuracy when needed without permanently increasing system complexity.
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 solution provides high-precision navigation data, enhancing tactical and situational awareness displays with track-up orientation for low-visibility surface operations, accurately determining aircraft position and velocity even at low speeds or when stationary, reducing errors and interference issues.
Implementation Method 1
a first radar antenna for mounting to a first wing of the aircraft and configured to receive radar returns and a second radar antenna for mounting to a second wing of the aircraft and configured to receive radar returns
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a heading, velocity, and/or position of an aircraft includes receiving a first radar return at a radar antenna for mounting to a first wing of the aircraft and receiving a second radar return at a radar antenna mounted to a second wing of the aircraft where the first wing and the second wing extend from opposite sides of the aircraft. The method also includes determining a velocity of each wing based on the radar returns using processing electronics and calculating the heading, velocity, and/or position of the aircraft based on the determined wing velocities using the processing electronics.