In-Flight Magnetometer Calibration via Dynamic Flight Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for calibrating magnetometers on aircraft are inefficient, as they require ground-based calibration, leading to calibration errors and increased costs, and do not account for in-flight variations in aircraft parameters.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for in-air magnetic calibration of an aircraft's magnetometer, using a MAG-CAL application that generates a calibration flight path based on aircraft parameters like speed, bank angle, and altitude, allowing the aircraft to deviate from its original flight path to achieve sufficient magnetometer calibration during flight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ground-based calibration is used, then calibration can be performed with surveyed heading angles, but it requires ground personnel, increases costs, and cannot account for in-flight variations in aircraft parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration system transitions from static ground-based calibration to dynamic in-flight calibration. The aircraft performs maneuvers (turns, climbs, descents) during calibration to expose the magnetometer to varying magnetic field conditions, allowing the system to adapt to changing aircraft parameters and achieve accurate calibration without ground personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously during calibration including aircraft attitude (pitch, roll, yaw), speed, and altitude. These parameter changes enable the magnetometer to be calibrated under diverse operating conditions, improving measurement precision while eliminating the need for complex ground-based procedures.
2Productivity
If in-air calibration is performed, then ground personnel are reduced and costs are saved, but the aircraft must deviate from its original flight path
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs calibration maneuvers at the beginning or during early phases of the flight, before the aircraft commits to its primary mission profile. This preliminary calibration action ensures that the magnetometer is properly calibrated while minimizing disruption to the overall flight schedule and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration is performed as a periodic maneuver within the flight plan, where the aircraft executes specific patterns (such as figure-eights or coordinated turns) at predetermined intervals or phases. This periodic approach allows calibration to be integrated into the flight schedule with minimal deviation from the original mission objectives.
3Reliability
If traditional compass rose calibration is used, then calibration can be completed on the ground, but it does not correct for in-flight magnetic distortions
Solution Approach 1:
The in-flight calibration system serves multiple functions: it calibrates the magnetometer, characterizes aircraft magnetic distortions, and validates the calibration across different flight conditions all in one process. This universal approach improves reliability by ensuring the system works accurately in the actual operating environment rather than just on the ground.
Solution Approach 2:
The aircraft performs its own calibration in-flight using its own motion and onboard sensors, eliminating the need for external ground equipment or personnel. The system uses the aircraft's natural flight maneuvers and onboard flight data to automatically complete the calibration process, improving adaptability to different operating environments.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatuses and systems for use of a magnetometer calibration (MAG-CAL) application to calibrate a magnetometer while an aircraft is in-flight including: generating a MAG-CAL calculated pattern based on a set of aircraft parameters for the in-air magnetometer calibration, the set of aircraft parameters at least comprise: speed, bank angle, altitude and position of the aircraft; generating a set of waypoints that define a calibration flight path corresponding to the MAG-CAL calculated pattern; Configuring the calibration flight path of the MAG-CAL calculated pattern to be part of the original flight path of the in-flight aircraft to enable the aircraft while flying the original flight to proceed in part on the calibration flight path corresponding to the MAG-CAL calculated pattern; and enabling the aircraft to deviate while in-flight from the original flight path to the calibration flight path to enable a sufficient level of calibration for accurate magnetometer operation.