Virtual Speed Vector Determination for Aircraft Head-Up Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the speed vector of an aircraft face challenges in precision and integrity, particularly in the aeronautics field, where minimal heading errors can lead to nonconformity in the projection of the speed vector on head-up displays, affecting piloting accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves acquiring and analyzing a sequence of images from an image sensor oriented along the aircraft's movement direction to determine a virtual speed vector, using epipoles and fundamental matrices to calculate movement speed and flight path angles, and comparing these with reference vectors from satellite and inertial systems for improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If satellite positioning system (GPS) is used to calculate aircraft speed, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to lack of integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines GPS data and inertial unit data through hybridization to achieve both precision and integrity. The system processes both data sources simultaneously and uses their complementary strengths to produce a reliable speed vector calculation that leverages GPS precision while maintaining inertial integrity during signal degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that mediates between GPS and inertial unit data. This intermediary layer filters, validates, and fuses data from both sources, ensuring that the final speed vector calculation maintains both the precision of GPS and the integrity of inertial navigation, especially during critical phases like takeoff and landing.
2Reliability
If inertial unit is used to calculate aircraft speed, then reliability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges inertial unit data with GPS data to compensate for the precision limitations of inertial navigation. By fusing these data sources, the system maintains the integrity and reliability of inertial navigation while enhancing speed measurement precision through GPS corrections, particularly during critical flight phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where GPS data provides periodic corrections to the inertial navigation system. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain the reliability and continuity of inertial navigation while periodically resetting drift errors using precise GPS measurements, thereby achieving both integrity and precision.
3Measurement precision
If minimal heading error occurs, then navigation accuracy is maintained, but conform display precision deteriorates due to projection nonconformity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic adjustment to the speed vector calculation by continuously updating the calculation based on current aircraft attitude and position data. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing flight conditions and maintain accurate conform displays even with minimal heading errors, ensuring the projected speed vector remains precisely aligned with the actual flight path on head-up displays.
Data Source
AI summary
This method for determining a virtual speed vector includes the steps of acquiring (110) a sequences of images of the surrounding environment from an image sensor defining an optical projection center that is substantially stationary relative to the mobile engine, analyzing (120) at least two successive images in order to determine, in each of the two images, a point, called epipole, representing the position in said image of the optical center of the image sensor at the moment of the acquisition of the other image, and for each analyzed image, determining (130) the position of the epipole of said image on a display usable to pilot the mobile engine and displaying (130), on the display, a symbol representative of the virtual speed vector in said position.