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US 8,788,128 B1Granted
Precision navigation for landing
AssigneeRockwell Collins, Inc.
InventorPatrick D. McCusker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In the examples described the forward-looking radar generated real-time terrain model (or in an alternative example in combination with a terrain database), can allow the use of a radio altimeter to compute aircraft vertical position relative to the runway threshold. Such a system typically provides improved accuracy for precision landings.
Claims20
A method of precision navigation for an aircraft, the method comprising:
- determining aircraft height during initial and intermediate approach utilizing a real time terrain elevation database, wherein the real time terrain elevation database is derived from data from a forward looking radar on board the aircraft;
- providing a validated terrain elevation model by comparing or combining a database terrain elevation model and the real time terrain elevation database;
- determining the aircraft height during a final approach utilizing the validated terrain elevation model.
A method of determining a final approach for an aircraft, the method comprising:
- determining a horizontal aircraft position;
- computing vertical position of the aircraft from a validated terrain elevation model and radio altimeter data, wherein the validated terrain elevation model is generated by comparing or combining a data base terrain elevation model and a real time terrain elevation database, wherein the real time terrain elevation database is derived using data from an active forward looking radar aboard the aircraft;
- and
- confirming aircraft position relative to a runway.
1 more element
A precision navigation system comprising:
- a GPS unit;
- a stored terrain data base having a first terrain model;
- a real time terrain data base having a second terrain model;
- a processor including a precision landing process and coupled to the GPS unit, wherein the precision landing process uses a validated terrain model using the first terrain model and the second terrain model on final approach for a height determination, the validated terrain model generated by comparing or combining the first terrain model and the second terrain model;
- a WAAS correction device providing WAAS correction signals to the processor;
- and
- a forward looking radar, wherein the real time terrain data base is derived at least in part from data from the forward looking radar.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.