Terrain Display Fusion for Low Visibility Hover Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current avionics systems fail to effectively fuse image data from various sensors like visual cameras, infrared cameras, and synthetic renderings into coherent displays for pilots, especially under low visibility conditions, and lack the precision for fine control of vehicle position and attitude, relying on GPS and inertial sensors which are not sufficient for accurate hover control.
Innovation Solution
A system that combines data from multiple sensors to generate a synthesized position of a vehicle relative to terrain, using pixel calibration information, vehicle height, and orientation, and provides terrain imagery during low visibility by simulating views based on meteorological conditions, integrating instantaneous and recorded imagery for precise location and attitude control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors (visual cameras, infrared cameras, synthetic renderings) are deployed to improve terrain visualization, then the completeness and accuracy of terrain data is improved, but the complexity of fusing these diverse image data sets into coherent displays increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (visual cameras, infrared cameras, synthetic renderings) into a unified terrain display system. The system fuses these diverse data sources by integrating their output signals to form coherent composite images that show both visual and thermal information simultaneously, resolving the contradiction by merging multiple data streams into a single integrated presentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces image processing algorithms and data fusion techniques as intermediary components that process and reconcile the diverse sensor outputs. These intermediaries transform raw data from different sensor types into standardized formats that can be displayed coherently, reducing the complexity of directly integrating heterogeneous sensor data.
2Measurement precision
If GPS and inertial sensors are used for vehicle position and attitude control, then the system is simple to implement, but the precision for fine control and hover positioning is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines GPS location data, inertial sensor readings, and terrain imagery data into a synthesized position calculation. By merging these multiple data sources, the system achieves fine position and attitude control precision that exceeds what any single sensor could provide alone, while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture.
3Loss of information
If real-time sensor processing and display generation is implemented to improve situational awareness, then the relevance of displayed information is improved, but the processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing of sensor data by pre-aligning and pre-processing images from multiple sensors before they need to be displayed. This advance preparation reduces the computational burden during real-time operation, allowing the system to maintain information freshness while minimizing processing delays during critical display generation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure pertains to a system for effectuating presentation of a terrain around a vehicle on a display in the vehicle. In some implementations, the system receives information related to the vehicle's location, the height above the ground surface of the terrain, and the vehicle's orientation from one or more first sensors coupled to the vehicle; obtains a three dimensional topographical map of a terrain around the vehicle based on the location of the vehicle; and receives imagery data from one or more second sensors coupled to the vehicle, the imagery data corresponding to the terrain, wherein the imagery data comprises instantaneous imagery and previously recorded imagery. The system effectuates presentation of the imagery data corresponding to the terrain on the three dimensional topographical map based on the location, the height above the ground surface of the terrain, and the orientation of the vehicle.