US 12,366,627 B2 · Methods and systems for providing positioning information to aircraft

Abstract

The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for autonomously detecting and correcting anomalies in position information provided to aircraft using radio-frequency signals. By enabling autonomously detecting and correcting for anomalies in the operation of a ground-based solution entirely independent of GPS, systems of the present disclosure can make the provided position information more accurate and robust, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and safety of navigation systems using the provided position information. More precisely, systems of the present disclosure may employ a series of ground-based beacon transmitters to provide radio-frequency (RF) signal pulse with a highly regular frequency. A locating receiver can detect the arrival times of these pulses and use this information to detect and report certain anomalies. These reports may then be used to autonomously correct the detected anomalies.

Claims33

Dependent claims

A geo-positioning system for detecting and correcting anomalies, comprising:

at least one primary beacon transmitter configured to generate and transmit radio-frequency (RF) signal pulses;
a plurality of secondary beacon transmitters configured to receive and re-transmit the RF signal pulses;
a navigation apparatus positioned on an aircraft and configured to determine a first geographic location estimate, comprising:
a locating receiver apparatus configured to determine the first geographic location estimate using the RF signal pulses, wherein the first geographic location estimate is associated with the locating receiver apparatus;
and
at least one processor configured to:
detect one or more anomalies associated with determining the first geographic location estimate;
and
log information, in response to detecting one or more anomalies, indicating the one or more detected anomalies, wherein the logged information contains data associated with the determination of the first geographic location estimate;
and
a geo-positioning system controller, comprising at least one processor configured to:
receive, from the navigation apparatus, the logged information;
based on the received logged information, determine one or more corrective actions for resolving one or more anomalies indicated by the received logged information;
and
enact the determined one or more corrective actions.

12 more elements

A geo-positioning system for providing positioning information and correcting reported anomalies, comprising:

at least one primary beacon transmitter configured to generate and transmit radio-frequency (RF) signal pulses;
a plurality of secondary beacon transmitters configured to receive and re-transmit the RF signal pulses;
and
a geo-positioning system controller, comprising at least one processor configured to resolve anomalies associated with the geo-positioning system by:
receiving logged information indicating an anomaly, wherein:
the received logged information is received from a navigation apparatus positioned on an associated aircraft;
the anomaly is associated with determining a first geographic location estimate of the aircraft by the navigation apparatus, wherein the first geographic location estimate is determined using the RF signal pulses;
and
the received logged information contains data associated with the determination of the first geographic location estimate of the aircraft;
determining, based on the received logged information, one or more corrective actions for resolving the anomaly associated with the received logged information;
and
enacting the determined one or more corrective actions.

9 more elements

A method for providing positioning information and correcting reported anomalies, comprising:

transmitting, by at least one primary beacon transmitter, a plurality of radio-frequency (RF) signal pulses;
receiving and retransmitting, by a plurality of secondary beacon transmitters, the RF signal pulses;
receiving logged information indicating an anomaly, wherein:
the anomaly is associated with determining a first geographic location estimate of an aircraft using the RF signal pulses;
and
the received logged information contains data associated with the determination of the first geographic location estimate of the aircraft;
determining, based on the received logged information, one or more corrective actions for resolving the anomaly associated with the received logged information;
and
enacting the determined one or more corrective actions.

6 more elements

A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to provide positioning information and correct a reported anomaly by:

transmitting, by at least one primary beacon transmitter, a plurality of radio-frequency (RF) signal pulses;
receiving and retransmitting, by a plurality of secondary beacon transmitters, the RF signal pulses;
receiving logged information indicating an anomaly, wherein:
the received logged information is associated with determining a first geographic location estimate of an aircraft;
and
the received logged information contains data associated with the determination of the first geographic location estimate of the aircraft;
determining, based on the received logged information, one or more corrective actions for resolving the anomaly associated with the received logged information;
and
enacting the determined one or more corrective actions.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods and systems for providing positioning information to aircraft

Life of this patent

Methods and systems for providing positioning information to aircraft

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims33