Pilot Point of View Image Processing System for Runway Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pilots face increased mental workload due to relying on unaided vision, control tower commands, and radar for situational awareness, as existing imaging systems provide images from a fixed or camera-based point of view rather than the pilot's own perspective, especially in low-light or foggy conditions, limiting their situational awareness and safety during critical operations like landings.
Innovation Solution
The system generates high-resolution pilot-point-of-view (PPOV) images using ground-based cameras, processed with aircraft position information to create a three-dimensional virtual model, which are then transmitted in real-time to the cockpit, allowing pilots to view their surroundings from their own perspective, with options for different camera types and image fusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ground-based cameras are used to provide images to the pilot, then the resolution and quality of images are improved, but the images are provided from the camera's point of view rather than the pilot's point of view, increasing mental workload
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual copy of the pilot's point of view by processing images from ground-based cameras through a point of view processor. This virtual model replicates what the pilot would see from their actual position, allowing high-resolution imaging without requiring the pilot to mentally transform camera views into pilot-centric perspectives
Solution Approach 2:
A point of view processor acts as an intermediary between the ground-based cameras and the pilot's display system. This intermediary component transforms the camera's point of view into the pilot's point of view, resolving the contradiction by providing both high-resolution images and correct perspective simultaneously
2Measurement precision
If visible-light and IR cameras are placed in or near the nose of the aircraft to approximate the pilot's POV, then the point of view accuracy is improved, but the size and weight of cameras are limited, thereby limiting their performance
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging function is extracted from the aircraft and relocated to ground-based cameras. This extraction allows the use of high-performance, heavy cameras on the ground while maintaining accurate pilot point of view representation through virtual modeling, eliminating the weight constraint that would otherwise limit camera performance
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of physically placing cameras in the aircraft nose, the system creates a virtual copy of the pilot's viewpoint using ground-based imagery and position data. This virtual copying approach achieves point of view accuracy without the weight penalty of mounting heavy cameras on the aircraft
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of cameras are used to provide different image types, then the versatility and information quality are improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The point of view processor is designed to handle multiple types of camera inputs (visible-light, infrared, millimeter wave) through a single unified processing architecture. This multi-functional design allows the system to accept diverse image types and transform them all into the pilot's point of view, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple camera systems are merged into a unified imaging architecture where all camera types feed into a common point of view processor. This consolidation allows the system to provide diverse image types while managing complexity through shared processing infrastructure rather than separate processing chains for each camera type
Data Source
AI summary
Higher-resolution imagery of an airport runway can be provided from the pilot's point of view. Pilot point of view images may be generated using images captured by higher-resolution ground-based cameras. The images from the ground-based cameras are fed to a point of view processor that generates the pilot point of view images using aircraft position information. The pilot point of view images are transmitted to a display on the aircraft.