Multispectral Aircraft Positioning Using Marker-Based Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack an effective multispectral sensor suite designed specifically for autonomous aircraft to sense and position relative to various strategically placed or surveyed objects, which is crucial for accurate trajectory verification and control in diverse environments.
Innovation Solution
A multispectral sensor suite onboard autonomous aircraft, comprising optical, RADAR, and LIDAR systems, processes data to identify and position objects using a combination of sensors tuned to different wavelengths and frequencies, correlating sensor data with a priori information to determine precise position and trajectory, and command flight management systems for autonomous navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional sensor systems are used to produce natural-looking images for human pilots, then the visual display is pleasant and intuitive, but the system complexity increases and information accuracy is reduced due to filtering and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by not processing sensor data to create natural-looking images for human consumption, but rather processing data to extract precise geometric and positional information for machine interpretation. The system transforms raw sensor data directly into structured spatial relationships and trajectory information, eliminating the need for complex image formation algorithms while providing accurate positioning data for autonomous navigation.
2Ease of operation
If human-oriented visual infrastructure elements are used, then the system is familiar and easy to interpret for human pilots, but the cost and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical and optical infrastructure elements (such as illuminated visual aids, physical markers, and human-oriented navigation aids) with sensor-based detection systems. The autonomous aircraft uses onboard sensors to detect and interpret environmental features, eliminating the need for expensive, maintenance-intensive physical infrastructure while providing equivalent or superior navigation capability through electronic sensing and processing.
3Measurement precision
If extensive processing is applied to sensor data to format it for human consumption, then the display accuracy is improved, but the processing time and computational power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential geometric and positional information from sensor data that is necessary for autonomous navigation and trajectory verification. Instead of processing data to create comprehensive visual displays for human consumption, the system selectively extracts key spatial relationships, object positions, and trajectory parameters, significantly reducing processing time and computational requirements while maintaining high measurement precision for navigation-critical data.
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
Enables precise positioning and trajectory control of autonomous aircraft in various conditions, including low visibility, by integrating multispectral data from diverse sensors, enhancing safety and efficiency in landing and navigation tasks.
Implementation Method 1
optical sensor data
Implementation Method 2
RADAR sensor data
Implementation Method 3
LIDAR sensor data
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are disclosed for design of a suite (130) of multispectral (MS) sensors and processing of enhanced data streams produced by the sensors for autonomous aircraft flight. The onboard suite of MS sensors is specifically configured to sense and use a MS variety of sensor-tuned objects, either strategically placed objects and/or surveyed and sensor significant existing objects to determine a position and verify position accuracy. The received MS sensor data enables an autonomous aircraft object identification and positioning system to correlate MS sensor data output with a-priori information stored onboard to determine and verify position and trajectory of the autonomous aircraft. Once position and trajectory are known, the object identification and positioning system commands the autonomous aircraft flight management system and autopilot control of the autonomous aircraft.