Upward-Pointing GNSS Antenna Steering During Aircraft Maneuvers

Solution Overview

Problem

GNSS signals are susceptible to jamming and spoofing, which can lead to inaccurate navigation data, particularly during vehicle maneuvers like aircraft landing and takeoff, as interfering sources are typically on the ground while GNSS satellites are in the sky.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a gimbal or electronic antenna support structure that keeps the GNSS antenna pointing upwards, away from interfering ground-based sources, using navigation sensors and processors to maintain directionality during vehicle maneuvers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the GNSS antenna is mounted on a fixed structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the antenna cannot avoid ground-based interfering signals during vehicle maneuvers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereception of jamming and spoofing signalsVSAvoidantenna support structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Dynamics principle by implementing an active antenna support structure that can dynamically adjust the antenna's orientation in response to vehicle maneuvers. The system uses motion sensors to detect vehicle movement and automatically repositions the antenna to maintain optimal positioning away from ground-based interfering signals, transforming a static mounting into a dynamic, adaptive system that actively avoids harmful signals during flight maneuvers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements the Feedback principle by incorporating motion sensors that continuously monitor vehicle maneuvers and provide feedback to the antenna support structure. This feedback loop enables the system to detect when the vehicle is performing maneuvers that could bring the antenna near ground-based interfering signals and automatically adjust the antenna position in real-time to maintain safe separation from harmful signal sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the antenna is kept pointing up during maneuvers, then harmful ground-based signals are avoided, but the device complexity increases due to additional support structure components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexposure to ground-based interfering sourcesVSAvoidgimbal or electronic support structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Dynamics principle by implementing an active antenna support structure that can dynamically adjust the antenna's orientation in response to vehicle maneuvers. The system uses motion sensors to detect vehicle movement and automatically repositions the antenna to maintain optimal positioning away from ground-based interfering signals, transforming a static mounting into a dynamic, adaptive system that actively avoids harmful signals during flight maneuvers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements theIntermediary (Mediator)principle by introducing a gimbal or electronic support structure as an intermediary mechanism between the fixed vehicle airframe and the GNSS antenna. This intermediary component acts as a buffer that can independently position the antenna relative to the vehicle body, allowing the antenna to maintain its protective upward orientation even when the vehicle undergoes maneuvers that would otherwise expose it to ground-based interfering signals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If a gimbal or electronic support structure is used to maintain antenna directionality, then GNSS signal reception accuracy is improved, but the weight of the moving object increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveGNSS data reception accuracyVSAvoidantenna support structure weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the Dynamics principle by implementing an active antenna support structure that can dynamically adjust the antenna's orientation in response to vehicle maneuvers. The system uses motion sensors to detect vehicle movement and automatically repositions the antenna to maintain optimal positioning away from ground-based interfering signals, transforming a static mounting into a dynamic, adaptive system that actively avoids harmful signals during flight maneuvers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements theParameter changesprinciple by dynamically adjusting the antenna's spatial orientation parameters in response to changing vehicle motion conditions. The system monitors vehicle maneuver parameters and adjusts the antenna position parameters accordingly, changing the antenna's elevation and azimuth angles to maintain optimal reception geometry and avoid ground-based interfering signals during various flight phases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12432005B2Antenna steering through GNSS jamming, spoofing, and airplane maneuvers

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

This disclosure describes systems and methods for providing antenna steering through GNSS jamming, spoofing, and airplane maneuvers. In certain embodiments, a device includes a GNSS antenna configured to receive GNSS signals transmitted from a plurality of GNSS sources; and a GNSS antenna support structure mounted within a vehicle, wherein the GNSS antenna is mounted to the GNSS antenna support structure, wherein the GNSS antenna support structure is configured to keep directionality of the GNSS antenna pointing up during motion of the vehicle.