Visual Landing Aid Grid for Precise Autonomous Aircraft Approach
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for autonomous or automated aircraft localization during landing in Urban Air Mobility settings lack precision and are costly, especially in complex environments, and existing systems like PAPI, HAPI, and RF-based systems are inadequate due to low angular resolution and infrastructure requirements.
Innovation Solution
A ground-based visual landing aid system using a two-dimensional grid of light cones with unique identification codes, detected by an aircraft-based digital receiver to determine the aircraft's approach angles relative to the landing site, allowing for precise and scalable navigation without bulky RF components or low-resolution indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional guidance systems (ILS, MLS) are used for precise aircraft localization, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex RF-based guidance systems (ILS, MLS) with a simplified optical system using visible light beacons and a camera. The mechanical/electromagnetic complexity of RF signal generation and processing is substituted with optical components that are simpler in structure and easier to install, while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for approach guidance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified visual copy of traditional RF guidance functionality using light beacons arranged in specific patterns. Instead of implementing the full complexity of ILS/MLS RF systems, it copies the essential guidance function through optical patterns that can be detected by standard camera equipment, reducing device complexity while preserving measurement capability
2Measurement precision
If high-precision landing systems are deployed, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture and installation deteriorate due to specialized equipment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive light beacons and standard camera equipment instead of expensive, specialized RF guidance equipment. The system uses readily available components that can be manufactured and installed more easily, sacrificing the extreme precision of specialized systems for practical ease of deployment while maintaining adequate accuracy for approach guidance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal guidance system that can be deployed at various locations without requiring specialized infrastructure. The light beacon array and camera setup can serve multiple purposes and be installed in diverse environments, improving ease of manufacture and installation compared to dedicated RF systems that require specific site conditions and complex calibration
3Ease of operation
If PAPI/HAPI systems are used for visual approach guidance, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to low angular resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the approach guidance into multiple discrete light beacons arranged in specific patterns, with each beacon providing directional information. This segmentation allows the system to maintain the simplicity of visual interpretation (ease of operation) while achieving higher angular resolution through the combined information from multiple segmented light sources, overcoming the limitation of traditional PAPI's low resolution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from the one-dimensional vertical guidance of PAPI to a two-dimensional pattern recognition system using multiple light beacons. By adding spatial dimensionality to the visual cues, the system maintains ease of visual operation while dramatically improving measurement precision through pattern analysis that can determine both azimuth and elevation angles
4Measurement precision
If RF-based landing systems are deployed, then measurement precision is improved, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to electromagnetic radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes RF electromagnetic radiation with visible light for position determination. By replacing the invisible RF fields with visible light beacons, the system eliminates the harmful electromagnetic radiation associated with RF systems while maintaining measurement precision through optical detection using standard camera equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of electromagnetic radiation into a benefit by using visible light, which is naturally detectable by human vision and standard camera sensors. The system turns what could be harmful RF radiation into beneficial visible light that provides both measurement precision and inherent safety through its detectability and non-ionizing nature
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
Enables accurate and precise determination of the aircraft's position in both horizontal and vertical planes, reducing costs and infrastructure needs while avoiding harmful radiation, with improved resolution and simplicity compared to traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a ground-based visual landing aid (1) having a radiating surface (2) which radiates light in the form of light cones (3) arranged discretely in a two-dimensional grid
Implementation Method 2
an aircraft-based digital receiver which, during the landing approach, continuously detects the positions of the light cones (3) forming the navigation light (4)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention provides a system for determining the position of an autonomous or automated aircraft (8) during its approach to a landing site (L), comprising: i. a ground-based visual landing aid (1) having a radiating surface (2) which radiates light in the form of light cones (3) arranged discretely in a two-dimensional grid, wherein a navigation light (4) is formed by a plurality of adjacent light cones (3), and the light cones (3) forming the navigation light (4) change in dependence on a deviation of the aircraft (8) from a target landing approach path; and ii. an aircraft-based digital receiver which, during the landing approach, continuously detects the positions of the light cones (3) forming the navigation light (4) along the radiating surface (2) and determines, on the basis of the detected positions, a state of the aircraft (8), wherein the system is configured to generate commands for autonomously landing the aircraft (8) or for assisting a pilot in landing the aircraft (8) on the landing site (L) based on the determined state of the aircraft (8).