LIDAR Laser Positioning System for Aircraft Relative Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aerial positioning systems for aircraft, such as GPS and camera-based systems, face challenges in meeting the requirements of accuracy, integrity, continuity, and availability, especially in limited situations like high latitudes, and require expensive devices and high-speed data links, which are impractical for applications like aerial refueling and landing on moving ships.
Innovation Solution
A laser positioning system (LPS) using a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) device and coded reflectors attached to aircraft and hubs, which scans a field of view to determine position data, providing relative position information without the need for expensive radars or high-speed data links, and can be used for both aerial refueling and landing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional GPS and camera-based positioning systems are used, then position information can be obtained, but the system cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical/electronic positioning systems (GPS receivers, cameras, radar) with a simplified optical system consisting of a laser transmitter and retroreflector. The laser beam serves as the positioning signal carrier, eliminating the need for complex signal processing hardware while maintaining measurement precision through optical time-of-flight or phase measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential positioning function from complex integrated systems by isolating the core components: a laser transmitter on one platform and a retroreflector on another. This extraction removes unnecessary complexity while preserving the fundamental positioning capability through direct optical measurement.
2Reliability
If expensive position determination devices and high-speed data links are used, then RNP requirements can be met, but the system becomes impractical for aerial refueling and landing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The retroreflector passively returns the laser beam to the transmitter without requiring power, electronics, or active components on the target platform. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex bidirectional communication systems while maintaining reliable position determination, making the system practical for aerial refueling and landing where simplicity is crucial.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser beam acts as an intermediary carrier that transports position information between platforms without requiring high-speed data links. The optical signal directly encodes range and position data through its physical properties (time-of-flight, phase, frequency), eliminating the need for separate communication channels and simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Measurement precision
If GPS-based systems are used, then position accuracy can be achieved, but integrity, continuity and availability requirements are only met in limited situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces satellite-based GPS with a direct optical measurement system that operates independently of satellite geometry and atmospheric ionospheric effects. The laser-based ranging method provides consistent accuracy across all latitudes and environmental conditions where the laser can propagate, significantly improving environmental adaptability while maintaining position accuracy.
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 LPS achieves high-quality position information that meets the required navigation performance (RNP) standards, ensuring accurate and reliable alignment and landing of aircraft, even in challenging environments, without the need for expensive equipment or complex data links.
Implementation Method 1
A laser positioning system (LPS) using a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) device and coded reflectors attached to aircraft and hubs, which scans a field of view to determine position data
Implementation Method 2
A laser positioning system (LPS) using a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) device
Data Source
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AI summary
Aerial positioning systems and methods include a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) device mounted to a hub and one or more reflectors attached to a portion of an aircraft and configured to encode information scanable by the LIDAR device. The LIDAR device is configured to scan a field of view to identify the one or more reflectors and reflector encoded information to determine reflector position data.