AIRCRAFT LANDING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. A method for controlling an aircraft, the method comprising:
- accessing data aboard the aircraft, the data including;
respective positions, relative to each other and to a runway, of a plurality of radar targets disposed within a region adjacent to the runway; and
a desired attitude of the aircraft relative to the runway;
scanning the region with a radar disposed aboard the aircraft to obtain radar data corresponding to respective positions, relative to each other and to the aircraft, of a plurality of radar reflections from the region, including reflections from the radar targets;
distinguishing the radar data corresponding to the radar targets from the radar data corresponding to the radar reflections;
assessing a position and an attitude of the aircraft relative to the runway using the stored data and the radar data corresponding to the radar targets;
evaluating the position and the attitude of the aircraft relative to the runway using a navigation system that is independent of the radar;
computing a difference between the assessed position and the evaluated position; and
computing a difference between the assessed attitude and the evaluated attitude.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for controlling an aircraft includes storing data aboard the aircraft. The data include the relative positions of radar targets disposed within a region adjacent to the runway. The region is scanned with a radar aboard the aircraft to obtain data corresponding to the relative positions of radar reflections from the region, including reflections from the radar targets. The data corresponding to the radar targets is distinguished from the data corresponding to the radar reflections from the region using correlation techniques. The position and attitude of the aircraft relative to the runway is then assessed using the stored data and the data corresponding to the radar targets. The position and attitude of the aircraft relative to the runway is also evaluated using an independent navigation system. The difference between the assessed position and attitude and the evaluated position and attitude is then used to control the aircraft.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for controlling an aircraft, the method comprising:
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accessing data aboard the aircraft, the data including; respective positions, relative to each other and to a runway, of a plurality of radar targets disposed within a region adjacent to the runway; and a desired attitude of the aircraft relative to the runway; scanning the region with a radar disposed aboard the aircraft to obtain radar data corresponding to respective positions, relative to each other and to the aircraft, of a plurality of radar reflections from the region, including reflections from the radar targets; distinguishing the radar data corresponding to the radar targets from the radar data corresponding to the radar reflections; assessing a position and an attitude of the aircraft relative to the runway using the stored data and the radar data corresponding to the radar targets; evaluating the position and the attitude of the aircraft relative to the runway using a navigation system that is independent of the radar; computing a difference between the assessed position and the evaluated position; and computing a difference between the assessed attitude and the evaluated attitude. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for controlling an aircraft, the system comprising:
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a database disposed aboard the aircraft and storing data corresponding to; respective positions, relative to each other and to a runway, of a plurality of radar targets disposed within a region adjacent to the runway; and a desired attitude of the aircraft relative to the runway; a radar disposed aboard the aircraft and configured to scan, detect and generate data corresponding to respective positions, relative to each other and to the aircraft, of a plurality of radar reflections from the region, including reflections from the radar targets; a correlator disposed aboard the aircraft and configured to distinguish the radar data corresponding to the radar targets from the radar data corresponding to the radar reflections; and a navigation system disposed aboard the aircraft and configured to; assess a position and an attitude of the aircraft relative to the runway using the stored data and the radar data corresponding to the radar targets; evaluate the position and the attitude of the aircraft relative to the runway independently of the radar and using at least one of a global positioning system (GPS), an inertial navigation system (INS), a distance measuring equipment (DME) system, a very high frequency omnidirectional radio range (VOR) system, and/or an instrument landing system (ILS); compute a difference between the assessed position and the evaluated position; compute a difference between the assessed attitude and the evaluated attitude; and control the aircraft in accordance with at least one of the position and attitude differences. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for controlling an aircraft, the apparatus comprising:
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a radar disposed aboard the aircraft and configured to; scan a region surrounding a runway; and generate radar data corresponding to respective positions, relative to each other and the aircraft, of a plurality of radar reflections from the region; a correlator disposed aboard the aircraft and configured to; correlate the radar data with data stored aboard the aircraft, the stored data comprising respective positions, relative to each other and the runway, of a plurality of radar targets disposed within the region and a desired attitude of the aircraft relative to the runway; and distinguish the radar data corresponding to the radar targets from the radar data corresponding to the radar reflections; a navigation system disposed aboard the aircraft and configured to evaluate a position and an attitude of the aircraft relative to the runway independently of the radar; and a computer disposed aboard the aircraft and configured to; assess the position and the attitude of the aircraft relative to the runway using the radar data corresponding to the radar targets and the stored aircraft position and attitude data; and compute a difference between the assessed position and attitude of the aircraft and the evaluated position and attitude of the aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification