SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING RADAR-ADAPTIVE BEAM PATTERN FOR WINGTIP PROTECTION

• US 20140085124A1
• Filed: 05/08/2013
• Published: 03/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Dusik, Matej, Vasek, Jiri, Kirk, James C., Vacanti, David C., Magula, Filip
• Application Number:
  US13/889,537
• Publication Number:
  US 20140085124A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/29
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/42 Arrangement or adaptation of brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 43/00 Arrangements or adaptations of instruments arrangements of cameras B64D47/08; aeronautical measuring instruments per se G01C
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/00 Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for camouflage F41H3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/00 Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/66 Radar-tracking systems; Analogous systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/765 with exchange of information between interrogator and responder
• 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 2013/9329 cooperating with reflectors or transponders
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/04 Display arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/04 Anti-collision systems
• 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 adaptively steering radar beam patterns for coverage during aircraft turns. The radar sensor system is mechanically or electrically steered to alter the radar sensor'"'"'s beam pattern in order to adapt the radar sensor'"'"'s field of view (FOV) to cover the area of anticipated aircraft wingtip trajectory. The anticipated trajectory is derived, for example, from the aircraft groundspeed, acceleration, heading, turn rate, tiller position, attitude, taxi clearance, etc.

Claims

1. A device located on a vehicle, the device comprising:

at least one electrically or mechanically steerable sensor;

a processor in signal communication with the sensor, the processor configured to

receive information regarding at least one of a future position of the vehicle, an estimated trajectory of at least part of the vehicle or an estimate of location of a tracked target;

determine at least one area to sense based on the received information; and

generate at least one sensor steering signal based on the determined area,

wherein the at least one sensor is steered based on the generated at least one sensor steering signal.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft located on the ground.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the at least part of the aircraft comprises at least one wingtip or engine nacelle.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the future position is based on taxi clearance information.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to estimate trajectory based on received position information.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein a target is tracked, based on information actively communicated from the target.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to estimate trajectory based on received navigation information.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

generate an image based on information generated by the at least one steerable sensor; and

generate an indication that at least one steerable sensor is being steered, further comprising;

a display device configured to

present the generated image and the generated indication.

9. A method performed by a device located on a vehicle, the method comprising:

at a processor in signal communication with a sensor,

receiving information regarding at least one of a future position of the vehicle, an estimated trajectory of at least part of the vehicle, or an estimate of location of a tracked target;

determining at least one area to sense, based on the received information;

generating at least one sensor steering signal based on the determined area,

at at least one steerable sensor and

steering the vehicle based on the generated at least one sensor steering signal.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft located on the ground.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least part of the aircraft comprises at least one wingtip or engine nacelle.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the future position is based on taxi clearance information.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein estimating trajectory is based on received position information.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein a target is tracked, based on information actively communicated from the target.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein estimating trajectory is based on received navigation information.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising, at the processor:

generating an image based on information generated by the at least one steerable sensor; and

generating an indication that at least one steerable sensor is being steered; and

at a display device

presenting the generated image and the generated indication.

17. A system located on a vehicle, the system comprising:

a means for receiving information regarding at least one of a future position of the vehicle, an estimated trajectory of at least part of the vehicle, or an estimate of location of a tracked target, determining at least one area to sense, based on the received information, and generating at least one sensor steering signal based on the determined area;

a means for steering the vehicle based on the generated at least one sensor steering signal.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft located on the ground, wherein the at least part of the aircraft comprises at least one wingtip or engine nacelle.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein estimating trajectory is based on at least one of received position information, received navigation information, or taxi clearance information.

20. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

a means for generating an image based on information generated by the at least one steerable sensor;

a means for generating an indication that at least one steerable sensor is being steered; and

a means for presenting the generated image and the generated indication.