Local Positioning Coverage for GNSS-Denied Aircraft Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aeronautical vehicles face challenges in navigation in GNSS denied regions due to accuracy and availability limitations of existing alternate navigation solutions.
Innovation Solution
A local positioning system (LPS) is used to supplement a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) by providing location information through LPS signals from fixed location transmitters, which includes transmitter location information and clock information, allowing the vehicle to determine its location within LPS coverage regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing alternate navigation technologies (cameras, LiDAR, radar, radios, star-trackers) are used to augment INS data in GNSS denied regions, then navigation capability is maintained, but accuracy and availability are limited and not sufficient for current and future aviation needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the navigation system into multiple independent components: INS for continuous navigation, LPS transmitters distributed throughout the service volume for position determination, and sensor packages on unmanned vehicles for augmenting coverage. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently and contributes to overall system reliability and accuracy in GNSS denied environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested architecture where LPS is nested within the service volume of the aeronautical vehicle, unmanned vehicles are nested within the LPS coverage area, and sensor packages are nested on the unmanned vehicles. This nested structure enables hierarchical position determination and enhances both accuracy and availability.
2Measurement precision
If a local positioning system with multiple fixed location transmitters is deployed to provide coverage in GNSS denied regions, then location determination accuracy is improved, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The LPS transmitters are designed to be multi-functional: they provide position determination signals for vehicles, serve as navigation aids for unmanned vehicles, and can be integrated with existing aeronautical infrastructure. This universality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating multiple functions into single components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs unmanned vehicles that autonomously navigate using LPS signals and carry sensor packages to augment coverage. These vehicles self-service the navigation function without requiring manual intervention, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high accuracy standards.
Data Source
AI summary
A navigation system is provided. A GNSS receiver is used to receive satellite signals from a plurality satellites and an local positioning system (LPS) receiver is used to receive LPS signals from a plurality of fixed location LPS transmitters that are positioned to form an LPS coverage region. A controller is in communication with the GNSS receiver and the LPS receiver. The controller is configured to use LPS signals to determine a location of the vehicle when the vehicle is within the LPS coverage region and within a GNSS denied coverage region. The LPS coverage region is a region that provides the LPS signals from at least four fixed location LPS transmitters. Each LPS signal from each LPS transmitter includes LPS transmitter location information and clock information used by the controller of the vehicle to determine the location of the vehicle.