Aircraft ground proximity warning system having speed versus altitude compensation
AssigneeSundstrand Data Control, Inc.
InventorsCharles D. Bateman, Hans Rudolf Muller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The warning system includes a function generator for generating a signal representative of a minimum altitude over terrain as a function of the aircraft's speed. This signal is combined with a signal representing the aircraft's actual altitude over the terrain and if the aircraft is below this minimum altitude a warning signal is generated. A circuit is included to inhibit the warning signal, and thereby nuisance warnings, when the aircraft overflys another aircraft. In addition, electronic circuitry is disclosed for implementing the invention that is compatible with at least two separate types of air data computers.
Claims29
A ground proximity warning system for aircraft for generating a warning signal when the aircraft is below predetermined altitudes for various speeds of the aircraft comprising:
- means for generating a signal representative of the minimum safe altitude above terrain of the aircraft as a function of the forward speed of the aircraft;
- and
- means for comparing said minimum safe altitude above the terrain signal with a signal representing the actual altitude above the terrain of the aircraft for generating a warning signal when said actual altitude is above the minimum above the terrain altitude as represented by said minimum safe altitude signal.
A ground proximity warning system mutually compatible with both the Mark II and Mark III air data computer specifications comprising:
- a buffer circuit for receiving from either computer a signal representing the speed of the aircraft;
- a bias circuit including a bias voltage source for receiving the output of said buffer circuit and generating a signal representative of a minimum altitude as a function of the aircraft speed;
- a modification circuit responsive to both computers for automatically modifying the gain and said bias voltage applied to said bias circuit to compensate for the differing inputs of each computer;
- and
- a comparator circuit responsive to said minimum altitude signal and a signal representing the altitude of the aircraft above the terrain for generating a warning signal when the altitude represented by said minimum altitude signal is greater than the aircraft's altitude above the terrain.
A circuit for use with a ground proximity warning system comprising:
- a buffer amplifier and associated circuitry, responsive to a signal representing the speed of the aircraft for generating a DC signal proportional to the aircraft's speed;
- a bias amplifier and associated circuitry responsive to the output of said buffer amplifier for scaling said DC signal to represent a minimum safe altitude;
- a comparator circuit for comparing said signal representing said minimum altitude with a signal representing the actual altitude and effective to generate a warning signal when said minimum altitude exceeds the actual altitude.
A method of generating a warning signal when an aircraft approaches a predetermined altitude from the ground for a given aircraft speed wherein said method comprises the steps of:
- generating, in response to the speed of the aircraft, a signal representation of a minimum safe altitude above the ground for the forward speed of the aircraft;
- comparing said minimum altitude to the aircraft's actual altitude above the ground;
- and
- generating a warning signal when said minimum altitude is greater than the actual altitude above the ground.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.