Helicopter EGPWS Look-Ahead Activation Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current helicopter Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Systems (EGPWS) look-ahead functionality is deactivated at or below 70 kts aircraft speed, which may leave helicopters unprotected during escape maneuvers at their best rate of climb speed, necessitating an improved cutoff method to balance protection and nuisance alert prevention.
Innovation Solution
A method that receives aircraft rate of climb and speed information, compares it to defined thresholds, and sets the operating state of the look-ahead function based on these parameters, ensuring activation above specific climb and speed thresholds to prevent unnecessary alerts while maintaining protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the look-ahead functionality is deactivated at or below 70 kts aircraft speed, then the number of nuisance alerts is reduced, but the helicopter may not be protected during escape maneuvers at best rate of climb speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the deactivation parameters from a simple speed threshold (70 kts) to a combined threshold based on both speed and rate of climb. The look-ahead function remains active when the rate of climb exceeds a threshold value that varies with speed, ensuring protection during escape maneuvers while reducing nuisance alerts during normal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic threshold adjustment where the rate of climb threshold is not fixed but varies with aircraft speed. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to different flight conditions, maintaining protection when needed (escape maneuvers) while reducing false alerts during normal low-speed operations.
2Reliability
If the look-ahead function is kept active at low speeds, then protection during escape maneuvers is maintained, but the number of nuisance alerts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rate of climb parameter as an additional criterion for determining look-ahead function activation. By requiring both speed and rate of climb thresholds to be met, the system distinguishes between escape maneuvers (high rate of climb) and normal low-speed operations (low rate of climb), thereby maintaining protection while reducing nuisance alerts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors both speed and rate of climb parameters and dynamically adjusts the look-ahead function activation based on real-time feedback from these parameters. This feedback mechanism ensures the function remains active during critical escape maneuvers while deactivating during normal operations to prevent false alerts.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for controlling activation of a look-ahead function of a terrain alert and warning system. The system receives rate of climb and aircraft speed information, compares the rate of climb and aircraft speed information to a predefined threshold, and deactivates a look-ahead function based on the comparison.