Flight Path Waypoint Modification for Obstacle Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flight navigation systems do not adequately account for underlying terrain elevations, leading to potential obstacles being detected too late for effective avoidance, and existing systems lack the ability to modify flight paths in real-time to safely navigate around elevated terrain.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize terrain information to modify flight paths by adjusting waypoints, either laterally or vertically, to avoid obstacles based on real-time data and weather conditions, allowing for proactive navigation and alerting pilots with sufficient time to adjust the flight plan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional flight navigation systems are used, then the system complexity is low, but the detection precision of elevated obstacles is insufficient and obstacles are detected too late
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary terrain analysis by obtaining elevation data along the entire initial flight path before finalizing the flight plan. This allows obstacles to be identified in advance, enabling proactive route modification rather than reactive avoidance during flight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from traditional 2D horizontal flight path planning to 3D vertical awareness by integrating terrain elevation data. This dimensional enhancement allows the system to detect and avoid elevated obstacles that would be invisible in conventional flat-map navigation.
2Reliability
If real-time terrain analysis is implemented, then the reliability of obstacle avoidance is improved, but the computation time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Terrain information is obtained and analyzed before the aircraft departs or during early flight phases, allowing computationally intensive processing to be completed in advance rather than requiring continuous real-time computation during the entire flight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system focuses computational resources on analyzing only the specific flight path segments where elevated obstacles exist, rather than processing the entire flight path uniformly. This selective approach reduces overall computational energy consumption while maintaining obstacle avoidance reliability.
3Reliability
If flight path modifications are made to avoid obstacles, then the safety is improved, but the flight distance and fuel consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
By identifying elevated obstacles and modifying the flight path in advance, the system allows pilots to make informed decisions about route alternatives before committing to a specific path, potentially selecting options that balance safety with fuel efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system modifies flight path parameters (waypoints, altitudes) to create revised routes that avoid obstacles while considering fuel consumption implications, presenting multiple options with different safety and efficiency trade-offs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable threshold elevation is used, then the adaptability to different flight conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The threshold elevation is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing it to be adjusted based on flight conditions such as aircraft type, phase of flight, and weather conditions. This enables the system to adapt to different operational requirements without requiring complete system redesign.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples for flight navigation determination are presented herein. An example may involve obtaining a target destination for an aircraft and determining an initial flight path between a current location and the target destination. The flight path may include a series of waypoints for guiding navigation. The example may further involve obtaining terrain information that represents elevations of obstacles along the initial flight path and modifying the initial flight path to generate a revised flight path using the terrain information. The revised flight path may include modifications to the series of waypoints of the initial flight path such that navigation of the revised flight path avoids obstacles positioned along the initial flight path. The obstacles may have an elevation that exceeds an adjustable threshold elevation that depends on the initial flight path. The example may further involve providing the revised flight path to a navigation system of the aircraft.