Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
  • G01C23/00—Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
  • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
  • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
  • G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
  • G01S13/933—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of aircraft or spacecraft
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
  • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
  • G01S7/02—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S13/00
  • G01S7/04—Display arrangements
  • G01S7/06—Cathode-ray tube displays or other two dimensional or three-dimensional displays
  • G01S7/20—Stereoscopic displays; Three-dimensional displays; Pseudo-three-dimensional displays

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a display system for an aircraft, in particular a civil transport aircraft.
• said display system is intended in particular to construct an image of the environment of the aircraft and to present it to at least one pilot of said aircraft.
• false mental images may notably be due to inconsistencies, or more frequently to inhomogeneities (size, color, etc.), existing in various displays that are presented to the pilot, in particular when these displays are of different types, for example numbers of different dimensions.
• the present invention relates to a display system for aircraft, which overcomes these disadvantages.
• said display system of the type comprising a display device comprising: sources of information containing information relating to the aircraft and its environment; means for processing information capable of constructing an image of the environment of the aircraft, based on information from said sources of information; and
• display means comprising at least one display screen
• said information processing means constructs a three-dimensional (3D) synthetic image for visualizing the position of the aircraft, as well as the environment in which this aircraft evolves and comprising in particular the terrain to fly over, said synthesis image being consistent at least with information relating to another display, for example in two dimensions (2D), in that said means for display show said synthesis image on at least one area of said display screen, and in that said display device is linked to means capable of performing said other display.
• 3D three-dimensional
• said information processing means constructs said three-dimensional synthetic image according to a point of view which is external to the aircraft, in a manner specified below.
• a three-dimensional image is directly and intuitively accessible to pilots, without any particular effort.
• the three-dimensional synthetic image, constructed and presented is consistent with at least one other display (for example in two dimensions) of the aircraft, which is also of different type (two dimensions instead of three dimensions).
• the display system thus helps pilots to understand the position of the aircraft in its environment. It provides a valuable aid to the awareness of the real situation of the aircraft relative to the terrain, particularly because of the coherence of the three-dimensional image presented with information relating to at least one other type of display, and it thus increases comfort and safety of flight. More particularly, although not exclusively, the information relating to said other display is derived from a collision warning device that makes it possible to emit an alert signal, in the event of risk of colli ⁇ sion of the aircraft with the field.
• the collision warning device may be in particular a device of the TAWS type ("Terrain Awareness and Warning System” in English, that is to say “warning and setting system field awareness "in French), EGPWS type ("Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System “in English, that is to say” improved system of ground proximity alert “in French) or type GCAS (" Ground Collision Avoidance System “in English, that is,” collision avoidance system “in French).
• TAWS Transmission Awareness and Warning System
• EGPWS type Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System
• GCAS Ground Collision Avoidance System
• the display system according to the invention further comprises such a terrain-related collision warning device which is capable of producing said other display.
• said display device and said collision warning device uses information from the same database containing terrain data; and / or b) said collision warning device (in the usual way) determines, where appropriate, zones of potential impact of the aircraft with the overflown terrain and transmits them to said display device which integrates these zones with potential impact in said synthesis image; and / or c) said collision warning device uses (in the usual way) a particular distribution of different colors for said other display (in particular said zones of potential impact) and transmits this distribution. particular color scheme to said display device which uses it in displaying said three-dimensional synthesis image.
• said visualization screen is a navigation screen which comprises at least two different display zones arranged vertically one above the other. above the other, namely a first upper zone to achieve said other display, and a second lower zone to display said synthesis image in three dimensions.
• the ratio between the height of said first zone and the height of said second zone is in an interval equal to [2; 3].
• said display system displays on said first upper zone at least one terrain image, which is derived from a collision warning device, in particular of the aforementioned type.
• said information processing means use an amplified altitude to construct a representation of the terrain on said synthesis image, this amplified altitude corresponding to the effective altitude of the terrain received from said sources of information. formations, which is multiplied by a coefficient k whose value is in an interval substantially equal to [1; 2].
• the coefficient k is substantially equal to 1, 4.
• said information processing means use, for constructing said synthesis image in three dimen ⁇ sions, parameters (highlighting the perspective of the terrain on said computer image) which depend on the mode of display and display scale used for said other display.
• FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams of two different embodiments of a display system according to the invention.
• the display system according to the invention and represented according to two embodiments 1A and 1B respectively in FIGS. 1 and 2 is intended in particular to construct an image of the environment of an aircraft and to present it to least one pilot of said aircraft, in particular of a transport aircraft.
• Said display system 1A, 1B is of the type comprising at least one display device 2 comprising:
• information sources 3 containing information relating to the aircraft and its environment; information processing means 4 which are connected via a link 5 to said information sources 3 and which are capable of constructing an image of the environment of the aircraft, starting from information from said information sources 3; and - display means 6 comprising at least one visualization screen 7 and connected via a link 8 to said information processing means 4.
• said information processing means 4 construct a three-dimensional synthetic image for visualizing the position of the aircraft, as well as the environment in which this aircraft is moving and including in particular the terrain to be overflown, said image of synthesis being in coherence with information relating to at least one two-dimensional display, and said display means 6 presen ⁇ tent said three-dimensional synthesis image on at least one area 9A, 9B of said display screen 7.
• said information processing means 4 builds said three-dimensional synthetic image, according to a point of view that is external to the aircraft, in a manner specified below.
• the synthesis image in three dimen ⁇ sions, built and presented is consistent with at least one other display (two-dimensional) of the aircraft, which is more type different (two dimensions instead of three dimensions).
• the display system 1A, 1B according to the invention thus helps pilots to instantly understand the position of the aircraft in its environment. It provides valuable assistance to the situational awareness of the aircraft relative to the terrain and increases comfort and flight safety. More particularly, although not exclusively, the information relating to a two-dimensional display comes from a collision warning device 10 which emits a visual and / or audible warning signal, in case of risk. collision of the aircraft with the terrain overflown.
• said collision warning device 10 may be in particular a device of the TAWS type ("Terrain Awareness and Warning System” in English, that is to say “warning and warning system”. awareness of the land “in French), EGPWS type ("Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System “in English, that is to say” improved system of ground proximity alert “in French) or type GCAS ("Ground Collision Avoidance System” in English, that is to say “system of collision avoidance with the ground” in French).
• TAWS Track Awareness and Warning System
• EGPWS type Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System
• GCAS Ground Collision Avoidance System
• Such a collision warning device 10 is generally capable of generating two warning signals relating to different alert levels, namely a warning (or "caution” in English) and an alert (or “warning” in English). ).
• a warning is issued approximately 60 seconds before a potential collision of the aircraft with the terrain, when the risk of such a collision is detected. If this risk of collision is always proven approximately 30 seconds before the expected impact of the aircraft with the terrain, said collision warning device 10 issues an alert.
• the pilot must react immediately.
• the pilot of the aircraft is supposed to check the reality of the potential risk of collision with the terrain and to modify its trajectory if this risk is proven, so as to avoid such a collision.
• the display system 1 A in accordance with the invention comprises, in addition to the aforementioned elements, such a terrain-related collision warning device 10 capable of producing said aforementioned display in two dimen ⁇ sions.
• This collision warning device 10 comprises in the usual way:
• a central unit 12 which is connected by a link 13 to said set 11 and which carries out the different processes; and an alerting means 14 comprising, for example, a display screen, not shown, which is connected by a link 15 to said central unit 12 and which emits, if necessary, an alert signal of the aforementioned type.
• said display device 2 and said collision warning device 10 use information from the same database 16 containing data relating to the terrain, to construct the terrain images in 3D and in 2D which are respectively presented by said display means 6 and said warning means 14. This ensures a consistency of the terrain information, which are presented by these means 6 and 14.
• said database 16 is one of the information sources 3 of the display device 2 and the set 1 1 of sources of information of the collision warning device 10, as shown in FIG. 1.
• said information sources 3 furthermore comprise, for example, sensors, computers, embedded systems, etc., which provide information relating to the aircraft and to its environment.
• said collision warning device 10 determines in a usual way (from predictive calculations of the trajectory of the aircraft) zones of potential impact of the aircraft with the terrain overflown and transmits them by the connection to said information processing means 4 which integrate these areas of potential impact in said synthesis image which is presented on the display screen 7; and - said collision warning device 10 usually uses a particular distribution of different colors for the two-dimensional display, particularly with regard to said po ⁇ tential impact zones, and it transmits this particular distribution of colors via the link 17 to said informa ⁇ tion processing means 4 which use it similarly in the display of said synthesis image (in three dimensions) on the display screen 7.
• a collision warning device 10 uses an elevation grid of the terrain and outputs a so-called "la ⁇ bels" grid, and it associates with each label a color (and / or a texture) on the 2D image it presents.
• a warning (“caution” in English) may be associated with an amber color
• a warning (“warning” in English) may be associated with a red color.
• the colors (and / or textures) for the synthesis image and for the display in 2D can be the same (as already indicated) or colors ( and / or textures) coherent with each other.
• an alarm can be signaled on the 3D computer image.
• this potential conflict zone can be alertly colored.
• the display of this zone may also flash and its flashing frequency may be higher as the said conflict zone is close to the aircraft. Note that in the example of Figure 1, the display area
• said display screen 7 is a standard navigation screen, of ND type (FIG. "Navigation Display” in English), which comprises at least two different display areas 9B and 9C, arranged vertically one above the other, namely a first upper area 9C to achieve said display in two dimensions, and a second lower zone 9B for displaying said three-dimensional synthesis image.
• ND type FIG. "Navigation Display” in English
• the display means 6 display on said upper zone 9C a 2D image that includes usual navigation information (flight plan, wind speed and direction, ...), weather, ..., and a image of the ground that is derived from a collision warning device 10 of the aforementioned type.
• the information that is identical on the two display areas 9B and 9C come from the same processing units and / or the same sources of information. Also, in the context of the present invention, to achieve these two displays, said display system 1 B can compor ⁇ ter:
• the ratio between the height of said upper zone 9C and the height of said lower zone 9B is in an interval equal to [2; 3].
• the 8 "distribution is preferably 6" (zone 9C) and 2 "(zone 9B), and
• the 6 "distribution is preferably 4" (zone 9C) and 2 "(zone 9B).
• said information processing means 4 use an amplified altitude to build a representation of the terrain on said 3D synthesis image.
• This amplified altitude corresponds to the effective altitude of the terrain (received from said sources of information 3), which is multiplied by a coefficient k whose value is in an interval substantially equal to [1; 2].
• the coefficient k is substantially equal to 1, 4.
• said information processing means 4 use, for constructing said synthesis image in three dimensions, parameters ⁇ , ⁇ , ... (specified below and making it possible to highlight the perspective of the terrain on said computer image) which depend on the display mode (for example a mode called "ARC” or a mode called “ROSE”) and the display scale ("range” in English) utili ⁇ for said two-dimensional display.
• the representation illustrating the terrain on said computer image is a realistic and intuitive representation, which promotes an immediate awareness of the real geography.
• said information processing means 4 implement a method comprising the following series of eta ⁇ pes consisting of: a) determining a first line passing through the location of the aircraft and forming a first lateral spacing angle ⁇ and a first vertical spacing angle ⁇ with the aircraft route; (b) determine a first point on the first line on the rear of the aircraft at a distance such that the vertical projection of that first point on the horizontal plane passing through the location of the aircraft is a predetermined distance L1 from said location of the aircraft; c) determining a line of sight passing through said first point and forming a second lateral separation angle va and a second vertical divergence angle vb with a second straight line passing through said first point and parallel to said road of the aircraft; d) defining a projection plane orthogonal to said line of sight; e) constructing an image of at least a portion of the environment at least in front of the aircraft, using a conical projection
• said first lateral spacing angle ⁇ is between 6 ° and 15 °;
• said first vertical widening angle ⁇ is between 3 ° and 10 °;
• said predetermined distance L1 is between 3 and 20 kilometers;
• said second lateral separation angle va is less than or equal to said first lateral spacing angle ⁇ ;
• said second vertical spacing angle vb is less than or equal to said first vertical spacing angle ⁇ .
• said vi ⁇ sualisation screen 7 is provided with a heading scale and said angles between the line of sight and said third and fourth lines are such that the angular deviation on the the heading scale between said second and third points is between 40 ° and 140 °.
• the image is vertically delimited so that the horizon line of said image is located in the upper third of said display area 9A, 9B of the screen.
• step e) only an image of the environment is constructed which is located up to a predetermined distance in front of the aircraft.
• the image reconstructed in step e) comprises at least the following elements: a first symbol representing the aircraft and indicating its location;
• the constructed image makes it possible to improve the pilot's awareness of the overall situation of the aircraft, in particular with respect to the external environment, and of its future trajectory with respect to this external environment.
• step e) furthermore comprises:
• At least one of said vertical lines comprises a safety altitude indication
• flight plan for example information on air traffic or weather.
• additional information for example information on air traffic or weather.
• said vertical reference line comprises a scale and / or a safety altitude indication.
• said first symbol representing the aircraft is representative of the attitudes of the aircraft in roll, pitch and yaw, and said representation illustrating the terrain can be colored according to the difference between the altitude of the aircraft and the altitude of the said terrain.
• the display system 1 A, 1 B makes it possible to help the pilots to instantly apprehend the position of the aircraft in its environment, in the present moment and in the minutes to come. It provides valuable assistance to the awareness of the situation of the aircraft relative to the field and increases comfort and flight safety.
• said display system 1A, 1B makes it possible to present the pilots with intuitive and instinctive training, requiring no mental effort to be treated.
• the information carrier used offers a synthetic and immediate vision.
• the generated 3D representation improves the overall situational awareness for the pilots.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
• Remote Sensing (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Traffic Control Systems (AREA)
• Processing Or Creating Images (AREA)
• Navigation (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=34948524

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (9)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (28)

Family Cites Families (14)

• 2004
  • 2004-08-19 FR FR0408975A patent/FR2874371B1/fr active Active
• 2005
  • 2005-07-27 US US11/573,842 patent/US7855664B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2005-07-27 BR BRPI0512474-3A patent/BRPI0512474A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-07-27 CA CA002567222A patent/CA2567222A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-07-27 RU RU2006146944/28A patent/RU2328764C1/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-07-27 JP JP2007526503A patent/JP4879177B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2005-07-27 WO PCT/FR2005/001951 patent/WO2006024746A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2005-07-27 EP EP05793407A patent/EP1779210A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2005-07-27 CN CNB2005800286313A patent/CN100568142C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events