Display for terrain avoidance

• US 20040181318A1
• Filed: 03/14/2003
• Published: 09/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L3 Technologies, Inc. (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Aviation Communications And Surveillance Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Redmond, James Peter, Ridenour, Richard Darrell
• Granted Patent: US 9,008,870 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/9
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 5/005 altimeters for aircraft G01C5/02, G01C5/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0646 to follow the profile of undulating ground
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0021 located in the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0052 for cruising combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value G01C23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0086 for monitoring terrain radar or analogous systems specially adapted for terrain avoidance G01S13/935
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/045 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. determination of anti-collision manoeuvers radar or analogous systems specially adapted for anti-collision between aircraft G01S13/933

Abstract

A terrain warning system includes an indicator to inform a pilot of a proposed degree of flight parameters for safely clearing terrain. An aural message may identify a vertical speed that may be used to safely traverse terrain to the pilot. A visual indicator on a display informs the pilot of a vertical speed or climb angle to traverse terrain. The display may be a vertical speed indicator also capable of displaying traffic advisories.

Claims

1. A method for reducing the risk of an aircraft colliding with terrain, the method comprising:

comparing one or more terrain avoidance profiles with terrain information to determine whether a terrain threat exists; and

when a terrain threat exists, communicating first indicia to a pilot identifying that the terrain threat exists and communicating second indicia to the pilot identifying a degree of change in a flight path of the aircraft to traverse particular terrain.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the second indicia represents at least one vertical speed to traverse the particular terrain.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the first indicia comprises a warning alert.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the first indicia comprises a caution alert.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the second indicia represents at least one climb angle to traverse the particular terrain.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the second indicia representing at least one vertical speed is provided on a vertical speed indicator display.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein the second indicia representing at least one vertical speed is provided on a vertical speed indicator capable of displaying traffic advisories.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein comparing one or more terrain avoidance profiles with terrain information is performed by a terrain and traffic collision avoidance processor.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the second indicia comprises an audible message identifying a vertical speed to traverse the particular terrain.

10. A terrain warning system comprising:

a memory storing machine-readable code; and

a processor coupled to the memory, and responsive to the machine-readable code, is operative to generate and output a first signal indicative of a terrain alert and a second signal indicative of a terrain avoidance flight parameter.

11. The terrain warning system of claim 10 wherein the terrain avoidance flight parameter comprises an indication of a vertical speed.

12. The terrain warning system of claim 10 wherein the terrain avoidance flight parameter comprises an indication of a climb angle.

13. The terrain warning system of claim 10 wherein the terrain avoidance flight parameter comprises and indication of an aircraft bearing.

14. The terrain warning system of claim 10 further comprising at least one output device that converts the first signal into at least one of audible and visual information indicative of the terrain alert.

15. The terrain warning system of claim 10 further comprising at least one output device that converts the second signal into at least one of audible and visual information indicative of the terrain avoidance flight parameter.

16. The terrain warning system of claim 15 wherein the at least one output device comprises a vertical speed indicator display.

17. The terrain warning system of claim 15 wherein the at least one output device comprises a display device operative to display a vertical speed of an aircraft and a traffic advisory.

18. The terrain warning system of claim 10 wherein, responsive to the machine-readable code, the processor is further operative to generate and output a third signal indicative of a traffic alert.

19. A computer program product for preventing controlled flight into terrain, the computer program product stored in a tangible medium and comprising machine-readable code for:

comparing a terrain avoidance profile with terrain information to determine whether a potential collision with terrain exists;

generating a terrain alert signal indicative of a terrain threat; and

generating a terrain avoidance signal indicative of a degree of change in current flight to avoid terrain.

20. The computer program product of claim 19 wherein the terrain avoidance signal comprises indicia of a pull up rate.

21. The computer program product of claim 20 wherein the indicia of pull up rate comprises at least one of a vertical speed and a range of vertical speeds.

22. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the indicia of pull up rate comprises at least one of a climb angle and a range of climb angles.

23. The computer program product of claim 19 wherein the terrain avoidance signal comprises indicia of a an aircraft bearing.

24. The computer program product of claim 19 further comprising machine-readable code for providing a traffic alert.

25. The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the indicia of pull up rate comprises an audible sound.

26. A system for avoiding aircraft collisions with terrain, the system comprising:

storage means for storing information relating to terrain features;

processing means for comparing a terrain avoidance profile with the information stored in the storage means, for providing an alert in response to a result of comparing, for determining a pull up maneuver to avoid collision with terrain, and for providing a signal indicative of a degree of the determined pull up maneuver.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the signal indicative of the degree of the determined pull up maneuver comprises a signal indicative of one or more vertical speeds to avoid collision with terrain.

28. The system of claim 26 further comprising a display responsive to the signal.

29. The system of claim 26 further comprising an audio output device responsive to the signal.

30. A method for reducing the risk of collision between a vehicle and terrain, the method comprising:

detecting a conflict between a first sensor profile and a model of terrain;

providing an alert for an operator of the vehicle, the alert comprising a terrain avoidance parameter value selected for safety and comfort; and

during vehicle operation in accordance with the terrain avoidance parameter value, detecting absence of a conflict between a second sensor profile and the model of terrain.

31. A method of reducing the risk of collision between a vehicle and terrain, the method comprising:

detecting a threat of collision with terrain; and

alerting a pilot of a non-maximum maneuver to reduce the threat.