Laminated Aircraft Glazing with Embedded Landing Antennas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft automatic landing systems require multiple antennas and cables, which increase weight and aerodynamic drag, and pose challenges in integrating antennas into glazing units without compromising the structural integrity or visibility.
Innovation Solution
A laminated glazing unit incorporating embedded LOC and GLIDE antennas within the adhesive interlayer, combined as a conductive metal wire with F-shaped geometry, and a GPS antenna as a transparent oxide coating, allowing for reduced cable length and weight while maintaining signal reception and structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple antennas and cables are installed on the fuselage, then signal reception is ensured, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna functions (ILS LOC, ILS GLIDE, GPS) into a single integrated glazing unit. The conductive coating pattern on the glazing serves multiple antenna purposes simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate antenna installations and their associated cables, thereby reducing weight while maintaining all required signal reception capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The glazing unit is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural protection, maintains cabin pressure, and simultaneously acts as an integrated antenna system for multiple navigation and positioning functions (ILS localizer, ILS glide slope, GPS). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate antenna installations.
2Reliability
If multiple antennas and cables are installed on the fuselage, then signal reception is ensured, but aerodynamic drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges all antenna functions into the glazing unit itself, eliminating protruding antenna elements and external cable runs that would create aerodynamic drag. The integrated design ensures smooth airflow over the fuselage surface while maintaining all required signal reception functions through the conductive coating pattern on the glazing.
3Weight of moving object
If antennas are embedded in the glazing unit, then weight and cable length are reduced, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a conductive coating (such as ITO - indium tin oxide) that is deposited only in specific patterns on the glazing surface to form antenna elements. The coating is applied locally where needed for antenna functionality while leaving the rest of the glazing structure intact and fully structural, thus maintaining overall strength while enabling antenna operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The glazing unit employs composite construction with multiple layers including structural glass or plastic layers and adhesive interlayers. The conductive antenna coating is integrated into this composite structure, typically within an adhesive layer or as a surface coating, allowing the antenna function to be embedded without compromising the structural integrity of the primary load-bearing layers.
4Weight of moving object
If antennas are embedded in the glazing unit, then weight and cable length are reduced, but visibility may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive coating is applied locally only where needed to form antenna elements, rather than covering the entire glazing surface. This localized application minimizes the impact on light transmission and visibility. The coating pattern is designed to provide sufficient electrical conductivity for antenna operation while using minimal material that would interfere with optical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes transparent or translucent conductive materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO) that have been engineered to provide adequate electrical conductivity for antenna operation while maintaining high optical transparency. By changing the material parameters (selecting transparent conductive oxides with appropriate thickness and conductivity), the system achieves both electrical functionality and optical transparency.
5Adaptability or versatility
If connectors are incorporated in the glazing unit, then antenna integration is achieved, but embrittlement zones and resistance degradation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the antenna output connections from traditional rigid connector assemblies and instead uses flexible cable assemblies that connect to the antenna elements. This allows the antenna elements themselves to remain embedded in the glazing unit without requiring penetrations or rigid connectors that would create embrittlement zones or pathways for moisture and corrosion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses adhesive interlayers as intermediaries to embed the antenna elements within the glazing structure. These adhesive layers serve as both structural bonding agents and embedding media, allowing antenna elements to be integrated without requiring separate connector assemblies that would compromise the glazing unit's resistance to aging, moisture penetration, and corrosion.
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
The solution enables weight reduction, improved aerodynamics, and enhanced signal reception by integrating antennas seamlessly into the glazing units without compromising the structural integrity or visibility, while ensuring reliable digital/analog signal conversion for flight computers.
Implementation Method 1
an LOC (Localizer) antenna receiving in the VHF band at a frequency close to 110 MHz (between 108.10 MHz and 111.95 MHz)
Implementation Method 2
a GLIDE (Slope) antenna using UHF frequencies of between 328.65 MHz and 335.40 MHz
Data Source
AI summary
A laminated glazing unit includes at least one first sheet of glass and one second sheet of glass glued to one another via a first adhesive interlayer, the first sheet of glass being intended to constitute the surface of the laminated glazing unit in contact with the outside atmosphere, in which the laminated glazing unit further includes, between the first sheet of glass and the second sheet of glass, an LOC (Localizer) antenna receiving between 100 and 120 MHz and a GLIDE (Slope) antenna receiving between 320 and 340 MHz, each antenna having dimensions that are sufficiently small not to hamper the vision, even to be practically invisible through the laminated glazing unit.