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Stand alone terrain conflict detector and operating methods therefor

  • US 6,021,374 A
  • Filed: 10/09/1997
  • Issued: 02/01/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A stand alone terrain conflict detector of an aircraft having first, second, and third modes of operation, comprising:

  • a global positioning system (GPS) receiver;

    a laser gyroscope;

    an accelerometer;

    a navigational database;

    a topographical database;

    a processor;

    a control panel operatively coupled to said processor for directing operation of said processor;

    an obstacle detector, operatively coupled to said GPS receiver, said laser gyroscope, said accelerometer, said navigational database, said topographical database, and said processor, which obstacle detector, in cooperation with said processor, generates a first signal indicative of a flight plan, and generates at least one of a second signal signifying a terrain threat to the aircraft when an obstacle is located within a predetermined distance of a projected flight path vector of the aircraft and a third signal indicative of the projected flight path vector;

    an audio generator which generates an distinctive audible signal responsive to said second signal;

    a video generator, operatively coupled to said obstacle detector, which generates a two dimensional (2D) image indicative of the flight path responsive to said first signal and data stored in said navigational database during the first mode of operation, which generates a first three dimensional (3D) image including the projected flight path vector responsive to said third signal and data stored in at least one of said navigational and topographical databases during the second mode of operation, and which automatically generates, whenever said audible signal is generated, a second 3D image, including an escape vector, having a scale different than that of said first 3D image responsive to said third signal and data stored in at least one of said navigational and topographical databases during the third mode of operation; and

    a display, electrically coupled to said video generator, which displays a respective one of said 2D image, said first 3D image and said second 3D image and said terrain threat.

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