PORTABLE AUTONOMOUS TERMINAL GUIDANCE SYSTEM

• US 20090005921A1
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: WILKENS, Robert R. JR., NEWMAN, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 7,945,356 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/18
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/007 Helicopter portable landing pads
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/68 Marker, boundary, call-sign, or like beacons transmitting signals not carrying directional information
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/15 Aircraft landing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/916 Airport surface monitoring [ASDE]
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0045 Transmission from base station to mobile station G01S5/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/02 Instruments for indicating weather conditions by measuring two or more variables, e.g. humidity, pressure, temperature, cloud cover or wind speed G01W1/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0026 located on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/025 Navigation or guidance aids radar or analogous systems specially adapted for landing purposes G01S13/913

Abstract

A portable autonomous terminal guidance system can be located in an aircraft landing zone. The terminal guidance system generates a signal indicative of the position, the terrain, and the meteorological conditions where the guidance system is located. A receiving aircraft may process the signal produced by the terminal guidance system to generate a self-contained GPS obstacle-avoidance approach path for the aircraft to the landing zone.

Claims

1. A portable terminal guidance system, comprising:

a global positioning system (GPS) transceiver adapted to produce a GPS output signal representing the location of the terminal guidance system;

a terrain scanner adapted to produce an output signal relating to the characteristics of the terrain in the vicinity of the terminal guidance system;

a ceilometer adapted to produce an output signal relating to the visibility and the cloud cover in the vicinity of the terminal guidance system; and

a processor responsive to the radio, the scanner, and the ceilometer adapted to produce a data signal capable of being processed by a receiving aircraft into an obstacle avoidance approach path for the receiving aircraft.

2. The terminal guidance system of claim 1, further comprising a terrain database in the processor.

3. The terminal guidance system of claim 1, in which the global positioning system transceiver produces a differential global positioning system signal representing the location of the terminal guidance system.

4. The terminal guidance system of claim 1, in which the terrain scanner is adapted to produce an output signal relating to the height, distance, and azimuth of obstacles in the vicinity of the terminal guidance system.

5. The terminal guidance system of claim 1, in which the processor is adapted to command the GPS transceiver to produce the GPS output signal in response to an activation signal from a using asset.

6. The terminal guidance system of claim 1, further comprising:

a landing light system.

7. The terminal guidance system of claim 6, in which the landing light system comprises a set of approach alignment lights.

8. The terminal guidance system of claim 6, in which the landing light system comprises a set of takeoff alignment lights.

9. The terminal guidance system of claim 6, in which the landing light system comprises a set of landing alignment lights.

10. The terminal guidance system of claim 6, in which the landing light system comprises an elevation adjustable glide angle indicator light.

11. The terminal guidance system of claim 6, further comprising a wind tee.

12. A method of generating an obstacle avoidance approach path to an aircraft landing zone, comprising the steps of:

placing the portable autonomous terminal guidance system of claim 1 in a landing zone;

interrogating the terminal guidance system;

determining the position of the terminal guidance system;

scanning the landing zone for obstacles;

measuring weather conditions at the landing zone; and

generating an obstacle avoidance approach path to the landing zone in response to the determining, scanning, and measuring steps.

13. Method of preparing an aircraft landing zone, comprising the steps of:

placing the portable autonomous terminal guidance system of claim 1 in a landing zone.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of:

placing a landing light system in the landing zone.

21. A method of generating an obstacle avoidance approach path to an aircraft landing zone, comprising the steps of:

placing the portable autonomous terminal guidance system of claim 1 in a landing zone;

interrogating the terminal guidance system;

determining the position of the terminal guidance system;

scanning the landing zone for obstacles;

measuring weather conditions at the landing zone;

generating an obstacle avoidance approach path to the landing zone in response to the determining, scanning, and measuring steps; and

placing a landing light system in the landing zone.

15. A portable, autonomous terminal guidance system, comprising:

a 3D laser terrain scanner adapted to measure and record terrain slope and obstacle height, distance, and azimuth with respect to the terminal guidance system;

a GPS receiver/transmitter adapted to receive an activation signal, to provide differential point terminal guidance, and to transmit required data to a using asset;

a ceilometer adapted to measure the cloud ceiling; and

a rugged computer device adapted to store a high resolution terrain database and to execute system software stored in the computer.

16. The portable, autonomous terminal guidance system of claim 15, wherein the portable autonomous terminal guidance system is adapted to remain in a dormant state until interrogated by an inquiring source, then to activate and provide required data to the inquiring source in response to the activation signal, further comprising:

software timer set for a dwell period and timed for automatic activation to provide “

first time”

all-weather terminal guidance for assault wave airborne assets.

17. The portable, autonomous terminal guidance system of claim 15, wherein the terrain database is DTED 2 or better.

18. The portable, autonomous terminal guidance system of claim 15, further comprising a glide angle information light system (GAIL system).

19. The portable, autonomous terminal guidance system of claim 15, further comprising;

a set of landing lights.

20. The portable, autonomous terminal guidance system of claim 18, further comprising;

a plurality of approach alignment lights placed a predetermined distance apart in a direct line indicating an approach azimuth;

a plurality of takeoff alignment lights placed in a line a predetermined distance apart indicating a takeoff azimuth;

a plurality of landing area marker lights placed along a line at predetermined intervals perpendicular to the line of approach alignment lights that marks a desired touchdown area; and

a wind TEE for DAY VFR operations.