Mounted Smart Light Signaling for Real-Time Structure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional obstruction detection systems for urban air mobility aircraft, such as on-board terrain and obstacle databases, face challenges with periodic updates and lack of real-time validation, which is critical for safe navigation in densely populated areas with tall structures and varying weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes light-emitting devices on structures emitting encoded light beams, received by aircraft-mounted light receivers, which convert the light into data signals for transmission to a navigation server, enabling near real-time updating of structure and weather information for aircraft navigation and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If on-board terrain and obstacle databases are used for obstruction detection, then obstruction detection capability is provided, but the databases require periodic maintenance and updates and lack redundant validation during flight
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by having aircraft continuously report their position and detected obstruction data to ground-based servers. The servers process this data and update obstruction databases in real-time, creating a closed-loop feedback system that automatically maintains and validates database information without requiring periodic manual updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the network of aircraft and ground servers to automatically maintain and validate obstruction databases through continuous data collection, processing, and updating. This eliminates the need for external periodic maintenance interventions and provides redundant validation through multiple aircraft reports.
2Productivity
If traditional obstruction detection systems are used, then basic navigation capability is provided, but real-time updating of structure characteristics is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures continuity of useful action by implementing continuous data collection from aircraft sensors, continuous processing of obstruction data by ground servers, and continuous updating of obstruction databases. This uninterrupted cycle of data flow ensures real-time detection capabilities and current structure characteristic information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses ground-based navigation servers as intermediaries between aircraft sensors and the obstruction database. These servers receive raw sensor data from multiple aircraft, process and validate the information, and update the central database, enabling real-time information flow without requiring direct aircraft-to-database connections.
3Reliability
If periodic database updates are used, then database currency is maintained at set intervals, but redundant validation methods during flight are not available
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements multi-functionality by using aircraft that serve dual purposes: their primary function for transportation and their secondary function as mobile sensors for obstruction detection. The ground servers also perform multiple functions including data reception, processing, validation, and database updating. This eliminates the need for dedicated specialized equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the obstruction detection function with the existing aircraft navigation and communication systems. By integrating sensor data collection into the aircraft's existing operational framework and combining multiple aircraft reports into a single database update process, the system achieves redundant validation without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 solution provides real-time obstruction detection and weather information, enhancing the safety of urban air mobility operations by ensuring accurate and up-to-date data for aircraft navigation, reducing the risk of collisions with structures or weather events.
Implementation Method 1
The light receiver is configured to receive light from a light-emitting device mounted to a structure... converting the light received by the light receiver into a data signal
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a collection and dissemination system and method for attain structure characteristics information directly from encoded light signals produced by lights mounted to structures. An exemplary aircraft includes a light receiver, a data communication device, a processor, and a memory device. The light receiver receives light from a light-emitting device mounted to a structure. The memory device stores computer-executable code configured to cause the processor to perform steps of converting the light received by the light receiver into a data signal and transmitting the data signal to a navigation server via the data communication device, a network node, and a network.