RNP Corridor Boundary Graphic on Aircraft Map Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft display systems fail to visually indicate the location of Required Navigational Performance (RNP) corridor boundaries relative to the aircraft's position and projected flight path, increasing pilot workload and the likelihood of RNP corridor breaches during landing.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft display system and method that graphically indicates RNP corridor boundaries on a navigational map display, scalable to the field of view, and generates alerts if the aircraft is outside or projected to breach the corridor, using a processor and data sources to display RNP corridor boundary graphics offset from the aircraft leg segment symbol by the scaled RNP value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional aircraft display systems are used, then the display system is simple and does not require additional graphical indicators, but the pilot workload increases and the likelihood of RNP corridor breaches increases due to lack of visual indication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a graphical copy or representation of the RNP corridor boundaries on the navigational map display. Instead of requiring pilots to mentally calculate and visualize the corridor boundaries based on numerical data, the system generates visual boundary lines that directly represent the RNP corridor limits on the display, making the information immediately apparent and reducing pilot workload
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that receives navigation data, calculates RNP corridor boundaries, and presents this information in a visual format on the display. This intermediary layer translates complex navigation parameters into intuitive graphical representations, bridging the gap between raw data and pilot understanding
2Measurement precision
If the RNP corridor is displayed at full scale, then the boundary location is clearly visible, but the field of view may be too large to show relevant details
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic scaling system that automatically adjusts the display field of view based on the RNP value and aircraft position. The system calculates the appropriate scale factor to ensure the RNP corridor boundaries are clearly visible within the display area, expanding or contracting the field of view as needed to maintain optimal visualization of both the corridor boundaries and surrounding navigation context
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the display parameters (field of view, scale, zoom level) based on the RNP value and aircraft state. By dynamically adjusting these display parameters, the system ensures that the RNP corridor boundaries are always displayed at an appropriate scale regardless of the absolute size of the corridor or the aircraft's position, maintaining measurement precision while adapting to different operational contexts
3Ease of operation
If the aircraft is allowed to operate without visual RNP corridor indicators, then the display system remains simple, but corrective actions cannot be taken timely to maintain the aircraft within the corridor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the visual display of RNP corridor boundaries provides continuous information to the pilot about the aircraft's position relative to the corridor limits. This visual feedback enables pilots to make timely corrective actions to maintain corridor containment, creating a closed-loop system where display information directly informs pilot actions which in turn maintain the desired operational state
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is provided for indicating the boundaries of a required navigational performance (RNP) corridor on an aircraft's map display (20). The method includes the steps of producing an aircraft leg segment symbol (26) on the map display (20), establishing an RNP value (38), and scaling the RNP value to the map display (20) field of view (40). The method further includes the step of generating an RNP corridor boundary graphic (34) on the map display (20) offset from the aircraft leg segment symbol (26) by the scaled RNP value (42).