SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FILTERING WINGTIP SENSOR INFORMATION

• US 20130321193A1
• Filed: 01/14/2013
• Published: 12/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Vasek, Jiri, Kolcarek, Pavel, Olofinboba, Olukayode
• Granted Patent: US 9,575,174 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/29
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/93 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/934 on airport surfaces, e.g. while taxiing
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/933 of aircraft or spacecraft
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/04 Display arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/51 Display arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0021 located in the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0078 for monitoring traffic from the aircraft radar or analogous systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/065 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. for taxiing or rolling

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing improved situational awareness for an aircraft while taxiing. An exemplary method generates reflectivity data based on an associated emission at a transceiver located on an aircraft. At a processor, targets are determined if a portion of the generated reflectivity data is greater than a predefined threshold. Then, the analyzed targets are determined as to whether they are within a dynamically defined three-dimensional envelope. The envelope is based on wingtip light module speed and trajectory. On a display device, an indication of the nearest target is presented at the associated range to the nearest target.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

at a transceiver located on an aircraft,

generating reflectivity data based on an associated emission;

at a processor,

determining targets if a portion of the generated reflectivity data is greater than a predefined threshold;

determining if the determined targets are within a dynamically defined three-dimensional envelope, wherein the envelope is based on wingtip light module speed and trajectory; and

on a display device,

presenting an indication of the nearest target at the associated range to the nearest target.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting comprises:

generating a first range overhead display comprising an aircraft icon and one or more target cones beginning at the respective wingtip of the aircraft icon, wherein the first range overhead display is based on whether the closest target is farther than a threshold distance from the aircraft; and

generating a second range overhead display comprising an aircraft icon and one or more target cones beginning at the respective wingtip of the aircraft icon, wherein the second range overhead display is based on whether the closest target is farther than the threshold distance from the aircraft.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the target cones of the first range overhead display have a greater range than the target cones of the second range overhead display.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the target cones comprise one or more range lines located previously designated distances from at least one of the aircraft or the associated wingtip.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the indication of the nearest target comprises highlighting a range line of the one or more cones that is associated with the reflectivity data comprising the nearest target.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the indication of the nearest target comprises highlighting a distance value associated with the reflectivity data identifying the nearest target.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the indication of the nearest target comprises presenting at least a partial outline of an airport structure associated with the reflectivity data identifying the nearest target, wherein the outline of the airport structure is based on previously stored airport information.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is located at one or more wingtip light modules of the aircraft.

9. A system located on an aircraft, the system comprising:

a transceiver configured to generate reflectivity data based on an associated emission;

a processor configured to,

determine targets if a portion of the generated reflectivity data is greater than a predefined threshold;

determine if the determined targets are within a dynamically defined three-dimensional envelope, wherein the envelope is based on wingtip light module speed and trajectory; and

a display device configured to present an indication of the nearest target at the associated range to the nearest target.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the presentation on the display device further comprises:

presenting a first range overhead display comprising an aircraft icon and one or more target cones beginning at the respective wingtip of the aircraft icon, wherein the first range overhead display is based on whether the closest target is farther than a threshold distance from the aircraft; and

presenting a second range overhead display comprising an aircraft icon and one or more target cones beginning at the respective wingtip of the aircraft icon, wherein the second range overhead display is based on whether the closest target is farther than the threshold distance from the aircraft.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the target cones of the first range overhead display have a greater range than the target cones of the second range overhead display.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the target cones comprise one or more range lines located previously designated distances from at least one of the aircraft or the associated wingtip.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the indication of the nearest target comprises highlighting a range line of the one or more cones that is associated with the reflectivity data comprising the nearest target.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the indication of the nearest target comprises highlighting a distance value associated with the reflectivity data identifying the nearest target.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the indication of the nearest target comprises presenting at least a partial outline of an airport structure associated with the reflectivity data identifying the nearest target, wherein the outline of the airport structure is based on previously stored airport information.

16. The system of claim 9, further comprising one or more wingtip light modules, wherein each wingtip light modules being configured to contain the transceiver.