Wing-Mounted Stereo Camera Compensation for Aircraft Wing Flex
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft-mounted cameras used in object detection and collision avoidance systems face challenges in accurately determining the position of objects due to varying distances and orientations caused by wing vibrations, which affect the system's ability to stereoscopically determine the position of approaching objects.
Innovation Solution
The method involves correlating and transforming image data from cameras mounted on both wings of an aircraft to compensate for relative motion, using a motion compensation module that processes images to eliminate the effects of wing flexing and orientation changes, allowing for accurate object detection and collision avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If cameras are mounted on aircraft wings for object detection, then the detection area is expanded and collision avoidance capability is improved, but the distance and orientation between cameras vary due to wing vibrations, degrading measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the baseline parameters based on real-time wing vibration measurements. Sensors mounted on the wings detect vibration-induced position changes, and the processing system continuously updates the baseline distance and orientation parameters to compensate for these dynamic variations, maintaining accurate stereoscopic measurement despite wing flexing
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where wing vibration sensors continuously monitor camera position changes, feed this information to the processing system, which then adjusts the baseline parameters accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that measurement precision is maintained despite the inherent instability of mounting cameras on vibrating aircraft wings
2Length of moving object
If cameras are mounted far apart on wings to improve stereoscopic detection, then the baseline for distance measurement is increased, but the relative motion between cameras due to wing flexing increases, worsening measurement reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system accepts and adapts to the dynamic nature of wing-mounted cameras by continuously measuring and compensating for baseline variations. Rather than attempting to rigidly fix the baseline, the system dynamically tracks its changes through vibration sensing and adjusts processing parameters in real-time, maintaining reliable measurements despite the moving baseline
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical rigid mounting with a sensor-based measurement and compensation approach. Instead of relying on a fixed mechanical baseline, the system uses vibration sensors and computational methods to dynamically determine and compensate for baseline changes, substituting mechanical stability with sensing and processing
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is provided of compensating for variations in distance and orientation between first and second wing 31, 32-mounted cameras of an aircraft 30 due to flexing of at least one aircraft 30 wing 31, 32. The method comprises determining a first distance and orientation between the first wing 31-mounted camera and the second wing 32-mounted camera during a neutral wing 31, 32 condition of the aircraft 30. The method further comprises determining a second distance and orientation between the first wing 31-mounted camera and the second wing 32-mounted camera during a flexed wing 31, 32 condition of the aircraft 30. The method also comprises processing the difference between the first and second distances and orientations to provide a real-time varying distance and orientation for use in providing a compensated distance between the first and second wing 31, 32-mounted cameras.