Synthetic Air Data Validation via GPS Computation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air data sensors in aircraft are vulnerable to environmental conditions and common mode faults, leading to inaccurate measurements and reduced availability and integrity of air data, which is critical for modern fly-by-wire systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize redundant sensors to compute synthetic dynamic pressure and angle of attack, validating air data by comparing primary and alternative data sources, thereby enhancing the integrity and reliability of air data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional air data sensors are used to measure air mass state, then the measurement process is simple, but the reliability and integrity of air data are reduced due to vulnerability to environmental conditions and common mode faults
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the approach from direct physical measurement to computational derivation. Instead of relying on physical sensors that are vulnerable to environmental conditions, the system computes air data parameters (airspeed, altitude, vertical speed) by integrating GPS position data over time and deriving these parameters from position changes. This parameter transformation from direct sensing to computational derivation eliminates sensor vulnerability while maintaining data reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sensor-based measurement system with a computational system using GPS and signal processing. The mechanical pitot tubes, static ports, and other air data sensors are substituted with an electronic/computational approach that uses GPS position data, time integration, and mathematical algorithms to determine air mass state, thereby eliminating the reliability issues associated with physical sensors in harsh environments
2Reliability
If redundant sensors are used to improve reliability, then the possibility of gross errors is reduced, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a synthetic copy of air data information through computational methods. Instead of installing multiple physical sensors to obtain redundant measurements, the system generates synthetic air data by computing from GPS position data. This computational copy provides the same information as physical sensors would, eliminating the need for redundant hardware while maintaining data availability and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the GPS system multi-functional by using it not only for navigation and positioning but also for deriving air mass state parameters. The same GPS position data used for flight navigation is simultaneously integrated and processed to compute airspeed, altitude, and vertical speed, eliminating the need for separate dedicated air data sensing systems and their associated redundancy requirements
3Measurement precision
If heating elements are used to prevent ice formation on sensors, then measurement accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for heating elements by replacing the physical pressure sensing system with a computational system. Since GPS-based computational air data does not involve physical sensors exposed to the external environment, there is no risk of ice formation and no need for energy-consuming heating elements, thereby completely eliminating this energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for identifying air data for an aircraft. The lift for the aircraft is identified. The number of surface positions for the aircraft is identified. The angle of attack during flight of the aircraft is identified. A synthetic dynamic pressure is computed from the lift, the number of surface positions, and the angle of attack.