Portable Instrument Landing System Rapid Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft navigation and surveillance systems, such as traditional Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), face challenges in deployment speed, size, and operational risks, especially in hostile environments. Additionally, manual tuning processes for these systems are cumbersome, error-prone, and dangerous.
Innovation Solution
A portable instrument landing system (PILS) is developed, comprising a plurality of antenna radio units, a glideslope non-imaging antenna array, and a localizer antenna array. The PILS uses software-defined radio transceivers and adaptive beam-forming networks for rapid deployment and precise signal control, eliminating the need for traditional mast setups and manual adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional ILS systems are deployed, then aircraft precision approach capability is provided, but deployment time requires 5-7 days and system footprint is large
Solution Approach 1:
The ILS system is divided into modular components (localizer, glideslope, marker beacon) that can be independently deployed and configured. Each component uses standardized antenna arrays and signal processing units that can be rapidly assembled, reducing overall deployment time from weeks to days while maintaining full system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs software-defined radio technology that allows rapid reconfiguration of signal parameters through software updates rather than hardware changes. This enables quick adaptation to different runway configurations and environmental conditions, significantly accelerating the deployment and recalibration process.
2Volume of moving object
If TLS solution is used to reduce footprint, then transport footprint is smaller, but operational risks increase due to active communications requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as an intermediary for system calibration and verification. The UAV autonomously flies predetermined patterns to measure signal characteristics and provides feedback to ground controllers, eliminating the need for manned aircraft to broadcast identification signals and reducing exposure to hostile environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration process is made autonomous through the UAV that self-navigates to measurement points, automatically collects signal data, and transmits results back to the control system. This self-service calibration eliminates human intervention in dangerous calibration flights while maintaining system accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If manual tuning process is used for calibration, then system can be calibrated, but process is cumbersome, error-prone and dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements closed-loop feedback where the UAV continuously measures signal parameters (phase, amplitude, frequency) during flight and transmits this data to ground control. The control system automatically compares measurements against expected values and adjusts transmitter parameters in real-time, creating an automated feedback-driven calibration process that eliminates manual error.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical adjustment of antenna phases and amplitudes is replaced with electronic control systems that use software algorithms to calculate optimal signal parameters. The UAV-based measurement system substitutes for manual ground-based measurement equipment, providing more precise and automated data collection.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system in communication with one of an aircraft navigational aid system and an aircraft surveillance system is described. The control system obtains measurement data associated with radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted by the one of the aircraft navigational aid system and the aircraft surveillance system from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) reporting the measurement data. The control system also determines whether the measurement data indicates the RF signals are within a range of values based on a location of the UAV in an airspace proximate to the one of the aircraft navigational aid system and the aircraft surveillance system. The control system further controls the RF signals transmitted by the one of the aircraft navigational aid system and the aircraft surveillance system based on the measurement data and the location of the UAV. Methods performed by the control system are also described.