VTOL Landing Control Using Marker Tracking and Mode Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic take-off and landing systems for vertical take-off and landing aircraft lack precise control mechanisms to avoid interference with surrounding objects during landing, requiring more accurate landing control to ensure safe and precise positioning.
Innovation Solution
An automatic landing system equipped with an imaging device, relative-position acquisition unit, and control unit that performs image processing on a marker at the target landing point, allowing the aircraft to hover and land accurately by shifting between different control modes based on threshold values and operator inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single control mode is used for landing, then the control system is simple, but landing accuracy and safety are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The landing control process is divided into multiple distinct control modes (approach mode, hovering mode, and landing mode) based on different altitude ranges and relative positions. Each mode has specific control parameters and thresholds, allowing precise control at different stages of landing while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design
2Productivity
If the aircraft lands directly from high altitude, then the landing process is fast, but interference with surrounding objects cannot be avoided
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by first transitioning to an approach mode at a predetermined altitude, then sequentially transitioning through hovering mode at lower altitudes before final landing. This staged approach allows the aircraft to clear surrounding objects initially, then carefully navigate through the hovering phase to avoid interference during the critical low-altitude landing phase
3Measurement precision
If automatic control is implemented without mode transitions, then the operation is simple, but landing precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors relative position and altitude, using feedback to automatically transition between control modes based on predetermined thresholds. The system acquires relative position information and automatically switches from approach mode to hovering mode, and finally to landing mode, maintaining high positioning precision while reducing manual operation complexity through automated decision-making
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
The system enables precise landing of vertical take-off and landing aircraft by accurately determining the relative position and altitude, reducing interference with surrounding objects and enhancing landing accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
an image, of a marker provided to a target landing point, captured by an imaging device
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic landing system includes an imaging device mounted on a vertical take-off and landing aircraft; a relative-position acquisition unit that performs image processing on an image of a marker at a target landing point, and that acquires a relative position between the aircraft and the target landing point; a relative-altitude acquisition unit for acquiring a relative altitude between the aircraft and the target landing point; and a control unit for controlling the aircraft in a plurality of control modes so that the relative position becomes zero. The control modes include a hovering mode in which the relative altitude of the aircraft is lowered to a predetermined relative altitude when the relative position is within a first threshold value. A transition to a landing mode occurs upon satisfying predetermined conditions including the relative position being within a predetermined threshold value less than the first threshold value.