Vision Landing Pad Pattern for Jam-Resistant VTOL Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle guidance systems for VTOL aircraft, such as those using ground-based augmentation systems (GBAS), face challenges including susceptibility to jamming/spoofing, require complex and expensive equipment, and can increase the weight of the aircraft, while also needing radio frequency spectrum allocation.

Innovation Solution

A vision-based guidance system utilizing a landing pad with a first and second perimeter of light sources with different light characteristics to define a pattern, detected by an image sensor on the vehicle, allowing for precision positioning and attitude determination, and guiding the vehicle relative to the landing pad.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If ground-based augmentation system (GBAS) is used for vehicle guidance, then precision positioning and attitude determination can be achieved, but the system complexity, cost, and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision positioningVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the radio frequency-based GBAS with a vision-based guidance system using light sources and image sensors. This substitution eliminates the need for complex RF hardware while achieving comparable positioning precision through optical pattern recognition and image processing algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a visual copy of positioning information by projecting light patterns that encode spatial and attitude data. The image sensor captures this optical copy, and processing algorithms extract positioning information, replacing the need for direct RF signal processing while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If ground-based augmentation system (GBAS) is used for vehicle guidance, then precision positioning and attitude determination can be achieved, but the weight of the VTOL aircraft increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision positioningVSAvoidaircraft weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces heavy RF transmission and processing equipment with lightweight optical components (light sources and image sensors). This substitution dramatically reduces aircraft weight while maintaining positioning precision through vision-based pattern recognition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If ground-based augmentation system (GBAS) is used for vehicle guidance, then guidance functionality can be provided, but the system is susceptible to jamming and spoofing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguidance reliabilityVSAvoidjamming susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces RF-based guidance with optical-based guidance using light sources and image sensors. This substitution eliminates susceptibility to RF jamming and spoofing while maintaining guidance reliability through visual pattern recognition that is inherently more resistant to interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If ground-based augmentation system (GBAS) is used for vehicle guidance, then guidance functionality can be provided, but radio frequency spectrum allocation is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguidance functionalityVSAvoidspectrum allocation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces RF spectrum-based communication with optical spectrum-based visual guidance. This substitution eliminates the need for RF spectrum allocation and reduces energy consumption by using passive light sources and standard image sensors instead of active RF transmitters and receivers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution provides a cost-effective, lightweight, and spectrum-independent guidance system that improves precision and reduces the complexity and weight of VTOL aircraft guidance, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

at least two of the first or second light sources having a different light characteristic to define a pattern to be detected by an image sensor of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight: Light

Data Source

PatentUS20240425199A1Vision-based vehicle guidance

Publication Date: 2024.12.26 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

Vision-based vehicle guidance is disclosed. An example landing pad for vision-based guidance of a vehicle includes a first perimeter of a landing area defined by the landing pad, the first perimeter having a first array of first light sources, and a second perimeter having a second array of second light sources, the second perimeter around the first perimeter, at least two of the first or second light sources having a different light characteristic to define a pattern to be detected by an image sensor of the vehicle for guiding the vehicle toward or away from the landing area.