3D Sensor Terrain Data Oversampling for Landing Zone Roughness Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D sensors used in synthetic vision systems for aircraft landing and taxiing have limited spatial resolution due to beam divergence and measurement inaccuracies, leading to oversimplification of terrain data and potential undetection of small obstacles, which can result in catastrophic collisions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves oversampling terrain data through multiple measurement cycles and statistical evaluation to classify local properties of the landing zone or taxi area, using higher-order statistical features like variance, skewness, and kurtosis to determine ground roughness and obstacle presence, which is then displayed as markers or color coding for improved safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If 3D sensors are used to survey the landing zone, then spatial information is obtained, but spatial resolution is insufficient due to beam divergence and measurement inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary surveying of the landing zone before the critical landing phase, accumulating terrain data in advance. This allows the sensors to map the area when the aircraft is at a safer distance, avoiding the need for high-resolution measurements during the final approach when beam divergence is most problematic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the surveying process by continuously updating terrain models as the aircraft approaches. Data from multiple measurement cycles are integrated and refined in real-time, allowing the system to adapt to changing measurement conditions and improve resolution where most needed.
2Reliability
If terrain data is averaged or filtered to reduce noise, then ground surface representation becomes smoother, but small obstacles may be missed
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different processing qualities to different regions of the terrain data. Areas identified as potential landing zones receive more rigorous processing and higher scrutiny, while non-critical areas can be processed more aggressively for noise reduction. This localized approach preserves obstacle detection capability where it matters most.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs multiple measurement cycles and accumulates more data than the minimum required, using statistical evaluation to extract meaningful signals. By taking excessive measurements and applying sophisticated statistical analysis, the system can distinguish true obstacles from noise without requiring aggressive filtering.
3Measurement precision
If multiple measurement cycles are performed, then data accuracy improves through statistical evaluation, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple measurement cycles are performed in advance during the approach phase, accumulating terrain data before the critical landing decision must be made. This preliminary data gathering allows statistical evaluation to be completed with sufficient time margin, improving accuracy without delaying the landing sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The surveying process is integrated into the continuous approach sequence, with measurements taken throughout the descent rather than as separate discrete operations. This continuous data collection utilizes the entire approach trajectory, maximizing data quality without adding dedicated survey time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assessing a ground area for suitability as a landing zone or taxi area for aircraft is provided. Three-dimensional data for the ground area in a plurality of measurement cycles in a 3D sensor is produced. The measured-value density of the three-dimensional data and also of at least one further statistical property of the three-dimensional data is determined. A measure of the local roughness of the ground area is produced based on the measured-value density and the at least one further statistical property. The individual area elements of the ground area are classified on the basis of the roughness values produced according to the degree of suitability of said area elements as a landing area or taxi area.