Radar Odometry for Aircraft Positioning Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current positioning systems for aircraft, such as GPS, lack high integrity, availability, and continuity, making them unreliable for accurate vehicle positioning, especially in conditions where GPS signals are jammed or unavailable.
Innovation Solution
A radar odometry system using a transmitter and multiple antennae to emit and receive signals, determining vehicle position by calculating frequency differences and ranges, which allows for continuous and accurate positioning even without GPS, by employing MIMO and frequency-modulated continuous wave radar technology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS is used for aircraft positioning, then position information can be obtained, but integrity and availability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the positioning function into multiple independent radar components (transmitters and receivers at different locations), each providing partial position information. By segmenting the positioning task across multiple sensors, the system achieves both high accuracy through precise range measurements and high integrity through redundant measurement paths, resolving the contradiction between GPS reliability and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces radar signals as an intermediary measurement mechanism between the aircraft and ground targets. Instead of relying directly on GPS satellite signals, the system uses radar emissions that bounce off ground targets to create a secondary positioning reference, thereby improving both the integrity and accuracy of position determination.
2Measurement precision
If multiple antennae and receivers are used to improve positioning accuracy, then measurement precision increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple radar transmitters and receivers into an integrated odometry system that processes signals collectively. By merging the functions of multiple components into a unified signal processing framework, the system achieves high positioning accuracy through multi-element interference patterns while managing complexity through coordinated operation rather than independent processing of each sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides ranging information, velocity measurements, and position determination using the same hardware infrastructure. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high measurement precision across multiple parameters without proportionally increasing device complexity, as a single radar installation performs several measurement tasks.
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 provides accurate, high-integrity, and continuous vehicle positioning, capable of operating in various environmental conditions, including those where GPS is unavailable, ensuring safe navigation by determining vehicle velocity and angle relative to targets.
Implementation Method 1
A system can include a transmitter and a plurality of antennae, where each antenna include a plurality of receivers. In an embodiment, as the vehicle travels in a first direction, the transmitter emits a plurality of signals that reflect from a target where the reflected signals are received by the plurality of receivers at the plurality of antennae.
Implementation Method 2
First frequency differences between the transmitted signal and a signal received from first receivers of a first antenna of the plurality of antennae can be used to determine a plurality of first ranges between the aircraft and the target.
Implementation Method 3
employing MIMO and frequency-modulated continuous wave radar technology
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a position of a vehicle is provided. First and second signals having first and second frequencies are transmitted towards a target. First and second reflected signals corresponding to the first and second signals reflected from the target are received at first and second antennae, respectively. A first frequency difference between the first signal and the first reflected signal is determined. The first frequency difference corresponds to a first range between the vehicle and target. A second frequency difference between the second pulsed signal and the second reflected signal is determined. The second frequency difference corresponds to a second range between the vehicle and target. A vehicle velocity is based on the first range and the second range. A position of the vehicle is determined based on the velocity.