Aircraft Vision Display Runway Alignment Using Approach Lights

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing enhanced vision systems for aircraft can be inaccurate due to errors in aircraft positioning and topographic data, leading to potential discrepancies between synthetic runway markings and actual runway positions, which can pose a risk during low visibility landings.

Innovation Solution

An inconsistency detection system that identifies and characterizes transverse and axial lines of approach lights using optical images, compares these signatures with a database of known reference signatures, and calculates the actual runway position, generating a warning if the discrepancy exceeds a threshold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If synthetic runway markings are displayed based on aircraft positioning and topographic data, then the pilot can visualize runway position in low visibility conditions, but inaccuracies in positioning or data can lead to discrepancies between synthetic markings and actual runway positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of runway position indicationVSAvoidprecision of aircraft positioning and topographic data

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects actual approach lights through optical sensors and feeds this information back to verify the position of synthetic runway markings. The detected position of actual approach lights is compared with the displayed position of synthetic markings, and any discrepancy triggers a warning to the pilot, ensuring continuous verification and correction of positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary verification mechanism using optical detection of actual approach lights as a mediator between the aircraft positioning system and the synthetic runway marking display. This intermediary layer independently validates the positioning data, preventing direct reliance on potentially inaccurate positioning or topographic data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the pilot performs visual consistency checks between synthetic markings and actual runway features, then landing safety is improved, but the decision-making time is increased under already time-critical low visibility conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of landing decisionVSAvoidtime for consistency check

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs the consistency check automatically without requiring pilot intervention. Optical sensors continuously detect actual approach lights and compare their positions with synthetic markings, generating warnings autonomously when discrepancies are found. This self-service approach eliminates the time burden from the pilot while maintaining safety verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual visual consistency check performed by the pilot is replaced with an automated optical detection and comparison system. The system uses sensors to detect actual approach lights and automatically compares their positions with synthetic markings, substituting the mechanical/visual process with an electronic automation that operates faster and without fatigue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If enhanced vision systems are used below decision height in very low visibility, then landing capability is extended, but the risk of landing before runway threshold increases due to potential positioning errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelanding capability in very low visibilityVSAvoidrisk of premature landing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of runway position accuracy using optical detection of approach lights before the pilot makes the critical landing decision. By detecting and verifying the position of actual approach lights in advance, the system ensures that synthetic markings are accurate, eliminating the risk of premature landing while enabling operation in very low visibility conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides a safety cushion by continuously monitoring the consistency between synthetic markings and actual approach lights before the critical landing phase. This prior verification creates a protective layer that prevents positioning errors from causing premature landings, allowing the system to operate safely in conditions where errors would otherwise be catastrophic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP4650717A1Improved vision system for an aircraft, provided with a system for detecting inconsistency, and corresponding method

Publication Date: 2025.11.19 DASSAULT AVIATION SA

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AI summary

The system includes a display (36) and a system for detecting inconsistencies between a displayed position of a synthetic representation (41) and the actual position on the display (36) of a runway (13) and/or an approach ramp (15). The inconsistency detection system comprises: - a module for identifying a line of lights (17) extending transversely to the runway (13); - a system for characterizing the identified line of lights (17) to determine a specific position of the line of lights (17) relative to the runway (13) from among a plurality of possible positions extending transversely to the runway (13); - a calculation module configured to calculate an actual position on the display (36) of the runway (13) and/or the approach ramp (15) using the determined position of the line of lights (17).