Systems and methods for vehicle navigation
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsByron Birkedahl, Marc M. Pos
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Techniques for allowing a vehicle to detect and avoid obstacles comprises at least one radar and a navigation system including a three-dimensional map database. The at least one radar generates radar return image(s) which can be compared by the navigation system to the three-dimensional map to determine a three-dimensional position of the vehicle. Based upon position determination, the navigation system can guide the vehicle to a destination whilst avoiding obstacles. If the vehicle also includes a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver, such techniques are desirable when the GNSS receiver is unable to provide accurate position data, which can occur in urban environments where obstacles are numerous.
Claims20
A method of determining location of an airborne vehicle in an urban environment, comprising:
- emitting, from the airborne vehicle, at least one radar signal in the urban environment;
- receiving, at the airborne vehicle, a radar return signal reflected from at least one surface of an obstacle in the urban environment;
- comparing a radar return image, formed by the radar return signal, with a map database corresponding to the urban environment;
- determining a three-dimensional location of the airborne vehicle based upon a correlation of the radar return image with the map database;
- determining if the airborne vehicle will collide with an obstacle;
- and
- if it is determined that the airborne vehicle will collide with an obstacle, changing the direction of travel of the airborne vehicle to avoid colliding with the vehicle.
A system comprising:
- a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver configured to receive signals from satellites of the GNSS and to be installed on a vehicle;
- a processing system comprising processor circuitry coupled to memory circuitry, where the memory circuitry comprises a three-dimensional map database;
- wherein the processing system is configured to:
- receive at least one radar return image;
- correlate the at least one radar return image with a three-dimensional map database;
- and
- determine, based upon the correlation, at least one of a three-dimensional position and a velocity of the vehicle.
A method, comprising:
- projecting at least one directional beam from at least one phased array radar, where a radar signal is emitted and a radar return signal may be received in each directional beam;
- generating at least one radar return image from at least one radar return signal;
- correlating the radar return image with a three-dimensional map database;
- and
- determining at least one of a three-dimensional position and a velocity of a vehicle based upon the correlation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.