Onboard Obstacle Database for Visual Flight Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current obstacle detection systems for aircraft, especially those used during visual flights, are costly and not easily integratable due to their reliance on expensive instrumentation and databases, which limits their implementation on aircraft operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
Innovation Solution
An onboard database system that allows pilots to manually add and delete obstacles, with an interface for updating the database during flight, reducing costs and enhancing the system's adaptability by focusing on temporary and mobile obstacles, and utilizing a collaborative database shared among users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expensive obstacle detection systems (TAWS, OWS) are installed on aircraft, then obstacle detection capability is improved, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex obstacle detection systems with a simple, inexpensive onboard database containing obstacle coordinates. This database can be easily updated and distributed, providing adequate obstacle awareness for visual flight without the high costs of TAWS or OWS systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using expensive sensor systems to detect obstacles in real-time, the patent creates a simplified copy of obstacle information through a pre-populated database with known obstacle locations. This database copy provides sufficient information for visual flight operations at minimal cost.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive obstacle databases are maintained with strict quality requirements, then obstacle detection accuracy is improved, but database maintenance cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the requirements for obstacle database quality by accepting less stringent accuracy parameters compared to IFR systems. The database contains essential obstacle coordinates suitable for visual flight, reducing maintenance complexity while providing adequate precision for VFR operations.
3Device complexity
If fixed obstacle databases are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to temporary and mobile obstacles is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static obstacle database into a dynamic system that can be updated during flight. Pilots can add new obstacles or modify existing ones based on real-time observations, allowing the database to adapt to temporary and mobile obstacles while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables pilots to self-update the obstacle database during visual flight operations. Pilots observe obstacles and directly input them into the database, eliminating the need for complex external update mechanisms while improving database relevance and completeness.
4Reliability
If TAWS systems with predictive modes are used, then long-term obstacle anticipation is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential obstacle location information from complex TAWS systems and places it in a simple onboard database. This extraction provides sufficient obstacle awareness for visual flight without the unnecessary complexity and cost of predictive algorithms and terrain databases.
Data Source
AI summary
A system of an aircraft for signaling the presence of an obstacle during visual flight, which system includes at least one onboard unit to be installed in an aircraft to be equipped, which onboard unit includes an onboard database that stores at least one obstacle to be avoided during flight. The onboard unit includes an interface to be installed in the aircraft and whose function is to authorize the addition and the deletion of obstacles in the onboard database, with the interface being in communication with the onboard database.