Overlaying Echo Top Altitude on Horizontal Weather Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airborne radar systems often lack the capability to display vertical weather information on horizontal displays due to cost or space constraints, making it difficult for pilots to decide whether to fly around or climb over weather cells.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that processes radar return data to display the altitude value of an echo top of a weather cell on a horizontal aviation display, allowing pilots to select a weather cell and generate an image with the altitude value integrated into the plan view of weather, enabling the display of vertical information without the need for a separate vertical situation display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a vertical situation display is added to show vertical weather information, then the completeness of weather information is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges vertical weather information (echo top altitude) with the existing horizontal plan view display by overlaying altitude values on weather cells. This integration allows both horizontal and vertical weather data to be presented on a single display, eliminating the need for a separate vertical situation display while maintaining information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal weather display is enhanced to serve multiple functions: it continues to show the plan view of weather cells while simultaneously displaying vertical information through overlaid altitude values. This multi-functionality allows pilots to obtain both horizontal and vertical weather context from a single display system.
2Loss of information
If a separate vertical situation display is installed, then the availability of vertical weather data is improved, but the space requirements and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines vertical echo top altitude information with the horizontal plan view on the same display area. By overlaying altitude values directly on or near the corresponding weather cells, the system eliminates the need for additional display space while ensuring vertical weather data remains readily accessible to pilots.
3Loss of information
If vertical weather information is displayed on horizontal display, then the information completeness is improved, but the ease of operation may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing altitude information specifically at the location of each weather cell on the plan view. Each weather cell displays its corresponding echo top altitude value in close proximity, allowing pilots to easily associate the vertical information with the specific horizontal weather feature without creating visual clutter across the entire display.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for displaying vertical weather information on an aviation display aboard an aircraft, the aircraft including an aircraft radar system for scanning a target, is provided. The system includes processing electronics configured to receive a target selection from a user input device, to receive an altitude value of an echo top of the target based on radar return data, and to cause the altitude value to be displayed on plan view of weather images on an aviation display in response to the received target selection.