Onboard Radar Runway Incursion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft ground detection systems rely on external cooperation and are not independent, limiting their effectiveness in preventing runway incursions by not providing real-time, self-sufficient detection of nearby aircraft.
Innovation Solution
A radar-based system on board the aircraft that autonomously scans the surrounding area near runways, detects nearby aircraft, and alerts the pilot, eliminating the need for external cooperation and enhancing situational awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If onboard display systems use external transmission of aircraft positions, then detection coverage can be achieved, but the system requires external cooperation and is not independent
Solution Approach 1:
The aircraft uses its own onboard radar to detect nearby aircraft independently, without requiring external transmission of position data. The system serves itself by using existing onboard equipment (radar) to perform the detection function that would otherwise require external cooperation.
Solution Approach 2:
The onboard radar, originally designed for other purposes, is utilized for detecting nearby aircraft. This multi-functional use of existing radar equipment eliminates the need for separate detection systems or external cooperation, achieving both independence and reduced complexity.
2Reliability
If all nearby aircraft and control stations are equipped with cooperating means, then detection completeness improves, but system complexity and activation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each aircraft independently detects nearby aircraft using its own radar, without requiring other aircraft or control stations to be equipped with special cooperation means. The detection is self-sufficient and does not depend on external infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the detection function from the complex cooperative system and implements it using only the onboard radar of individual aircraft. This removes the requirement for external cooperation infrastructure while maintaining detection capability.
3Area of stationary object
If radar scans the entire surrounding space, then detection coverage is maximized, but scan time and response speed decrease
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly scanning all directions, the radar focuses its scan on specific areas where nearby aircraft are most likely to be found. The scan pattern adapts to local conditions and priorities, concentrating resources on high-probability detection zones rather than distributing them evenly.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar performs partial scans of the surrounding space, focusing on critical areas rather than attempting to scan the entire 360-degree environment. This partial action approach achieves sufficient detection coverage for safety-critical applications without the time penalty of complete coverage.
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 system improves pilot awareness and reduces the risk of runway incursions by providing independent, real-time detection of nearby aircraft, reducing pilot workload and enabling safer taxiing and take-off/landing operations without relying on air traffic control.
Implementation Method 1
a detection mode is activated that is implemented by at least one radar which is on board the aircraft and which is capable of performing a scan of the surrounding space
Data Source
AI summary
A radar unit on board an aircraft scans a scan area of surrounding space relative to a runway to detect any nearby aircraft and a unit presents to a pilot an indication of such detection of the presence of at least one nearby aircraft. The technique involves determining: a heading of the aircraft, positions of thresholds of the runway, an orientation of the runway, a maximum relative bearing, a minimum relative bearing, a maximum elevation, a minimum elevation, a slant range for scanning the scan area from the heading, thresholds and orientation, predetermined vertical and horizontal angles of an approach center line of the runway, a predetermined length of edges of the scan area, and the scan commands enabling the radar to scan said scan area using the maximum relative bearing, the minimum relative bearing, the maximum elevation, the minimum elevation and the slant range. The radar unit is an air-air mode radar configured to detect a nearby aircraft that is in flight; and the scan area has at least one vertical area of space which is situated to one side of the runway and defined relative to a center line of the runway.