Aircraft Radar Altitude Verification System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft altimeter systems face challenges in achieving high navigational accuracy due to total system errors, which can be attributed to path definition errors, navigation system errors, and flight technical errors, necessitating the need for improved altitude data validation and generation methods to reduce these errors.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an aircraft radar system to generate altitude data by determining reflection point data and reference point data, which are then processed to verify the validity of navigation system altitude data, providing advisory information to the pilot through visual, aural, or tactile alerts if the data falls within defined tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If navigation system altitude data is used directly, then the system operation is simple, but the navigation accuracy is insufficient due to total system errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an independent radar altimeter system as an intermediary to verify navigation system altitude data. The radar system provides an alternative measurement method that does not rely on navigation system calculations, allowing cross-validation of altitude readings and reduction of total system errors through comparison of independent data sources
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously comparing altitude data from the navigation system with independent radar measurements. When discrepancies exceed predetermined thresholds, the system generates alerts and can switch to using radar-derived altitude data, creating a closed-loop verification process that maintains accuracy while managing system complexity
2Reliability
If independent altitude verification system is implemented, then the navigation accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a primary altitude measurement device and an independent verification source for navigation system data. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware to improve reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity, as the radar performs dual roles in the altitude determination process
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-verification by using the radar altimeter to independently check the validity of navigation system altitude readings. The comparison logic and alert generation are automated, allowing the system to monitor and validate its own performance without requiring additional external verification systems, thereby improving reliability while limiting complexity growth
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
This approach enhances navigational accuracy by providing an independent source of altitude data, reducing navigation system errors and improving the overall accuracy of aircraft altitude measurements, thereby meeting higher Required Navigation Performance standards.
Implementation Method 1
an aircraft radar system for generating and providing reflection point data
Data Source
AI summary
Present novel and non-trivial systems and methods for altitude data from a radar system and employing such data to verify altitude data from another source. A processor receives reflection point data generated by an aircraft radar system and reference point data from an applicable data source. Based upon the reflection point data and reference point data, first altitude data representative of a first measurement of aircraft altitude is generated. Then, the processor receives second altitude data representative of a second measurement of aircraft altitude from another source. Validity of the second altitude data may be determined by comparing it with the first data, after which validity advisory data may be generated that, is responsive to the validity determination. Then, the processor may provide the validity advisory data to a presentation system, whereby validity information of the second altitude data is presented to the pilot.