Passive Terrain Flight Assistance Using 3D Image-Based Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current landing and terrain flight assistance systems that utilize active sensors like radar and LIDAR reveal the location of aerial platforms, compromising their stealth and effectiveness under reduced visibility conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing passive imaging sensors on aerial platforms to capture multiple images from different geographic locations, integrating these with predetermined and real-time data to generate and update 3D models, and determine flight instructions based on known geographic locations, enhancing accuracy and stealth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If active sensors (radar, LIDAR) are used for generating 3D models of terrain, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but the location of the aerial platform is revealed compromising stealth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the active sensing function from the system, relying solely on passive imaging sensors to capture terrain data. This eliminates the harmful emission of active signals while maintaining the capability to generate 3D terrain models through photogrammetric processing of multiple passive images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a 3D model as a copy of the terrain based on 2D passive images. This copying process reconstructs the terrain geometry and elevation data without requiring active sensing, thereby achieving measurement precision through computational methods rather than active physical interaction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If passive imaging sensors are used to maintain stealth, then platform location is concealed, but measurement precision and reliability under reduced visibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple passive images captured from different geographic locations and orientations into a single 3D terrain model. This combination of multiple data sources compensates for the limitations of individual passive images, especially under reduced visibility conditions, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining stealth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from 2D passive images to a 3D terrain model by processing images from multiple viewpoints and orientations. This dimensional transformation allows the system to reconstruct terrain elevation and geometry information that cannot be obtained from a single 2D image, improving measurement precision without active sensing.
3Measurement precision
If multiple images from different locations are integrated to improve 3D model accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the terrain mapping task into multiple image capture operations from different locations and orientations, then processes these segmented data pieces separately before integrating them into a complete 3D model. This segmentation allows manageable processing of large-scale terrain areas while maintaining overall measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system for landing and terrain flight assistance are provided herein. The method may include the following steps: obtaining, by at least one imaging sensor disposed on an aerial platform, at least two images of at least a portion of a specified region of a terrain; determining, based on the at least two images, a 3D model of at least a portion of the specified region; receiving a predetermined model of at least a portion of the specified region; determining a real-world geographic location of the aerial platform based on the 3D model and the predetermined model; and determining flight instructions based on the 3D model and the determined geographic location of the aerial platform.