SVS Compass Arc Display for Flight Path and Heading Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Helicopter synthetic vision system (SVS) displays face challenges in correlating flight path direction with heading, especially when the flight path differs significantly from the heading, as existing methods like frustum lines can be confusing and interfere with navigation information, particularly in the absence of a scale on the compass.
Innovation Solution
A display system that combines a primary flight display with a compass, featuring an arc representing the viewing frustum of the SVS view, which is positioned to indicate the direction of aircraft travel, with its length equal to the view angle and dynamically adjustable, helping pilots discern differences between the flight path and heading, and optionally highlighted for better visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If frustum lines are drawn on the compass to show flight path direction, then the relationship between terrain and flight path is improved, but the navigation information readability deteriorates due to interference with compass symbols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the flight path indicator from the two-dimensional compass area to a one-dimensional arc representation on the compass rose perimeter. This dimensional transformation places the flight path information in a separate visual zone that does not overlap with navigation symbols in the compass center, eliminating interference while preserving flight path visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the display into distinct functional zones: the compass rose for heading/navigation information and a separate arc segment on the perimeter for flight path indication. This segmentation isolates the flight path marker from navigation symbols, allowing both types of information to be displayed without mutual interference.
2Loss of information
If frustum lines are added to show view depth, then the SVS view correlation is improved, but the display complexity increases and may conflict with existing symbols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flight path indication function from the complex frustum line representation and implements it as a simple arc segment on the compass rose perimeter. This extraction simplifies the display by removing unnecessary visual elements while retaining the essential flight path direction information.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method displays a synthetic vision system (SVS) image combined with a primary flight display (PFD) including a compass indicating the aircraft heading. An arc on or near the outer edge of the compass indicates the viewing frustum of the SVS view.