Abstract:
Provided in one embodiment is a method of detecting a pulsing signal, comprising: detecting the pulsing signal using a first sensor device acquiring data at a first time interval; and detecting the pulsing signal using a second sensor device acquiring data at a second time interval; wherein the second time interval overlaps a portion of the first time interval.
Abstract:
An apparatus is for use with an aircraft radar system having a radar antenna. The apparatus comprises processing electronics are configured to receive radar data associated with the radar antenna of the system. The processing electronics are also configured to detect periodic data associated with runway lights in the radar data.
Abstract:
An enhanced vision system for an aircraft is disclosed. The invention includes a display apparatus having a display element positioned between the pilot and a scene. The display element permits the pilot to view the scene therethrough. A first sensor is mounted adjacent to the display element. The first sensor is configured to detect light having a first radiation spectrum emanating from a first portion of the scene. A second sensor is mounted upon the aircraft away from the display element. The second sensor is configured to detect light having a second radiation spectrum emanating from a second portion of the scene. The display element is configured to visually represent the detected light with the first radiation spectrum precisely conformal with the scene as viewed by the pilot. The display element is configured to visually represent the detected light with the second radiation spectrum substantially conformal with the scene as viewed by the pilot.
Abstract:
A method of increasing positional awareness of a pilot of an aircraft during a landing approach of the aircraft. First data from a navigational aid is received. The first data is analyzed to determine a first position of the aircraft at a predetermined time. Second data is received. The second data is independent of the first data. The second data is analyzed to determine a second position of the aircraft at the predetermined time. The first position of the aircraft and the second position of the aircraft are compared, and the pilot is alerted to a difference between the first position of the aircraft and the second position of the aircraft. The second data may be displayed in a form that is convenient for the pilot to view during landing.
Abstract:
An enhanced vision system can be used on a vehicle such as an aircraft. The vision system includes a lens, a sensor array and a chromic layer disposed between the lens and the sensor array. A method can protect a focal plane array associated with an enhanced vision or other sensor from solar exposure. The method includes providing a focal plane sensor array and providing at least one photochromic layer in front of the focal plane array.
Abstract:
A method for monitoring inactive pixels in a scene imaging system may include determining a location of at least one inactive pixel in a focal plane array. The method may include sensing an environment image based upon a surrounding environment of an aircraft. The method may include generating an image associated with the environment image. The method may include evaluating a location for one or more inactive pixels in the generated image in comparison to a location for the at least one inactive pixel in the focal plane array. The method may include determining whether a fault exists in image generation or image display based upon the evaluation.
Abstract:
A system for enhancing an image displayed on a display unit of an aircraft is shown and described. The system includes an enhanced vision system that detects a scene and enhances the scene for display on the display unit. The enhanced vision system includes a sensor having a filter configured to filter out all but at least one narrowband spectrum of light from the scene to detect elements of a first color. The enhanced vision system causes remaining content of the scene to be removed from the filter output for completing the detection of the elements of the first color. The enhanced vision system enhances the elements of the first color on the display unit.
Abstract:
A system for controlling an image displayed on a display unit of an aircraft is shown and described. The system includes an enhanced vision system that detects elements of an approach lighting system for display on the display unit. The system also includes a synthetic vision system that uses a database of navigation information and a determined aircraft location to generate synthetic display elements representing the approach lighting system. Display electronics of the system cause the detected elements from the enhanced vision system to be simultaneously displayed on the display unit within a same scene as the generated synthetic display elements from the synthetic vision system. Advantageously, the simultaneous display allows a pilot viewing the display unit to check for whether information provided by the enhanced vision system matches information provided by the synthetic vision system.
Abstract:
A present novel and non-trivial system, device, and method for reducing image generating latency of an image presented on a display unit are disclosed. An image processing unit (“IPU”) may receive the image data set; receive (1) first navigation data of a first time from which second navigation data of the second time is determined or (2) second navigation data of a second time; receive third navigation data of the second time; compare the second navigation data with the third navigation data; and select a subset of the image data set in response to the comparison. Differences arising from the comparison, if any, may be used in determining the location and/or rotation of a cropping frame that selects the subset and forms a cropped image which is then provided to a display system, whereby the image represented in the subset is presented to the viewer.
Abstract:
A method or apparatus can be used with an aircraft or other vehicle. The apparatus can include or the method can use processing electronics configured to receive weather and airfield data associated with a weather report and configured to: 1. adjust at least one operational parameter of the vision system in response to the received weather report and airfield data; 2. adjust a display of an image derived from vision system data from vision system and synthetic vision data from a synthetic vision system in response to the data associated with the weather report detect; or 3. perform both operations 1 and 2.