Radar-Based Terrain Warning Attenuation Alert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current terrain awareness systems, such as GPWS and TAWS, fail to detect terrain or obstructions ahead of an aircraft and are affected by errors in aircraft position data and intervening weather, which can lead to insufficient warning times for pilots.
Innovation Solution
A radar-based Terrain Awareness Warning System (R-TAWS) that uses a broadband directional receiver and active radar to detect terrain and obstacles, and incorporates a weather radar system to provide real-time terrain elevation data and warnings, while also detecting atmospheric disturbances that may attenuate radar signals, thereby offering an attenuation alert to pilots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radar-based terrain awareness warning system is used to detect terrain and obstacles, then detection capability is improved, but the system may be attenuated by intervening weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors radar signal returns and detects atmospheric disturbances by analyzing signal characteristics. When attenuation is detected, the system provides feedback to alert the pilot, allowing for compensatory action to maintain detection reliability despite weather conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful effect of atmospheric disturbance into a detectable signal characteristic. By analyzing radar return patterns, the system identifies weather-induced attenuation and transforms this interference into useful information for generating attenuation alerts, thereby maintaining overall system reliability
2Reliability
If ground proximity warning system differentiates aircraft altitude signals to detect terrain, then terrain detection is provided, but warning time is insufficient for highly discontinuous terrain profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The radar-based system continuously scans and detects terrain and obstacles ahead of the aircraft in advance, rather than waiting for the aircraft to approach. This preliminary detection of potential hazards provides earlier warning time, allowing the flight crew sufficient time to take corrective action before encountering discontinuous terrain features
3Reliability
If terrain awareness system uses stored terrain map to calculate aircraft position, then terrain collision threat is determined, but errors in aircraft position data reduce warning time
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses radar as an intermediary measurement tool to independently verify terrain and obstacle locations ahead of the aircraft. This radar-based measurement serves as a mediator that does not depend on aircraft position data accuracy, providing reliable collision threat detection even when position data contains errors
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
Enhances the ability to detect and warn pilots of potential hazards by providing accurate terrain awareness even in conditions with intervening weather, ensuring timely action to prevent controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) incidents.
Implementation Method 1
uses airborne radar sensors (e.g., similar to the radar that is used for weather and wind shear detection) to detect terrain and/or obstacles
Implementation Method 2
receiving a radar return
Implementation Method 3
detecting a region of atmospheric disturbance limiting the range of the radar return
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for providing attenuation alerts for a radar-based terrain warning.A method for providing radar-based terrain warning attenuation alerts may comprise: (a) receiving a radar return; (b) detecting a region of atmospheric disturbance limiting the range of the radar return; and (c) providing a notification of radar-based terrain awareness warning system attenuation in the region of atmospheric disturbance.