Abstract: A system, comprises: active radar beacon(s) positioned within geographic area and comprising: first antenna(s) and first circuitry configured to encode data into artificial echo(s) by adding adjusted delay into the artificial echo(s), wherein the artificial echo(s) with adjusted delay is transmitted via first antenna(s), wherein artificial echo(s) with adjusted delay emulates return signal; and radar unit onboard vehicle and comprising: second antenna(s); transmitter communicatively coupled to second antenna(s), transmitter configured to transmit radar signals through second antenna(s) to geographic area including active radar beacon(s); receiver communicatively coupled to second antenna(s) and configured to receive return signals from geographic area, return signals including reflected signals reflected from surfaces and artificial echo(s) transmitted from active radar beacon(s); and second circuitry configured to receive and decode data encoded into artificial echo(s) to generate decoded data by detecting c

Abstract: A systems of sensors used for navigation in which the system performs real-time dynamic adjustments of the sensor configuration including scan pattern and sensor output characteristics. For an airborne radar system, the radar system may adjust the scan pattern and/or adjust the waveform characteristics based on the phase of flight. Radar waveform characteristics may include frequency, chirp length, modulation type, dwell duration and other characteristics. The scan pattern and radar beam direction may be based on any combination of the transmit beam, or transmit beams, as well as adjustments to receive beams, e.g., by digital beam forming done by signal processing circuitry of the radar system. Similar techniques may also be applied to other sensors or combinations of sensors such as sonar, lidar, visual, infrared, and other sensors.

Abstract: A method includes providing a radar sensor onboard a vehicle, and one or more active radar beacons around a landing site. Each beacon produces a pattern of one or more artificial echoes that is different from a pattern of echoes produced by others of the beacons. The method further includes guiding the vehicle toward the landing site by transmitting radar signals from the radar sensor to an area around the landing site; receiving return signals from the area around the landing site, including ground reflected signals and transmitted signals from each beacon; and determining whether artificial echoes are detected in the received return signals. When artificial echoes are detected, beacon parameters are loaded from an onboard active beacons database; patterns in the artificial echoes are identified and associated with corresponding beacons from the database; and a slant range to each of the beacons is estimated through the patterns.

Abstract: A method of supplementing a satellite based augmentation system approach during low visibility conditions is provided. The method includes acquiring satellite range measurements and additional measurements from at least one additional onboard independent sensor. Core sigma values are assigned for satellite range measurements and for each additional measurement from the at least one additional onboard independent sensor. A weighted position solution is determined using the acquired satellite range measurements, the acquired additional measurements and the assigned core sigma values. A discriminator is applied that utilizes vehicle positions derived from the acquired satellite range measurements and from the additional measurements to determine if a fault is present in the weighted position solution. An alert is generated if an output of the discriminator is outside a set tolerance value needed for low visibility operation.

Abstract: A method of supplementing a satellite based augmentation system approach during low visibility conditions is provided. The method includes acquiring satellite range measurements and additional measurements from at least one additional onboard independent sensor. Core sigma values are assigned for satellite range measurements and for each additional measurement from the at least one additional onboard independent sensor. A weighted position solution is determined using the acquired satellite range measurements, the acquired additional measurements and the assigned core sigma values. A discriminator is applied that utilizes vehicle positions derived from the acquired satellite range measurements and from the additional measurements to determine if a fault is present in the weighted position solution. An alert is generated if an output of the discriminator is outside a set tolerance value needed for low visibility operation.

Abstract: A method for displaying stop bar information to an aircrew member of an aircraft includes the steps of capturing a light signature emitted from an area surrounding the aircraft, processing the captured light signature to detect a lighted stop bar, and providing information to the aircrew member regarding the detection of the lighted stop bar.

Abstract: A vehicle display system displays approach lights acquired by a vision system overlaid on, and aligned with, a stored synthetic approach light symbol. A stored approach light type that corresponds to the target runway may be verified to match the acquired approach lights. A synthetic approach light symbol that corresponds to the approach light type is chosen and aligned with the approach lights for display.

Abstract: An aircraft system and method provide visual input to a pilot during takeoff roll. A runway centerline line vector is determined from a captured image, a displacement of the aircraft from the centerline line vector and an aircraft line vector are determined from the image based on the knowledge of sensor characteristics. The runway centerline line vector and the aircraft line vector are displayed to indicate a direction in which the pilot may change heading to maintain the aircraft on the runway.

Abstract: A method for displaying stop bar information to an aircrew member of an aircraft includes the steps of capturing a light signature emitted from an area surrounding the aircraft, processing the captured light signature to detect a lighted stop bar, and providing information to the aircrew member regarding the detection of the lighted stop bar.

Abstract: Embodiments of the subject application provide methods and systems for an autonomous aircraft guiding mobile unit (GMU). The GMU includes one or more light modules, one or more processing units, and one or more data storage mediums. The one or more data storage mediums include instructions which, when executed by the one or more processing units, cause the one or more processing units to receive control messages from a traffic control ground station (TCGS), the control messages assigning the GMU to an aircraft and controlling movement of the GMU and its assigned aircraft, and to provide light commands to a pilot of the assigned aircraft with the one or more light modules, the light commands directing movement of the assigned aircraft during taxiing.

Abstract: A vehicle display system displays approach lights acquired by a vision system overlaid on, and aligned with, a stored synthetic approach light symbol. A stored approach light type that corresponds to the target runway may be verified to match the acquired approach lights. A synthetic approach light symbol that corresponds to the approach light type is chosen and aligned with the approach lights for display.

Abstract: An aircraft system and method provide visual input to a pilot during takeoff roll. A runway centerline line vector is determined from a captured image, a displacement of the aircraft from the centerline line vector and an aircraft line vector are determined from the image based on the knowledge of sensor characteristics. The runway centerline line vector and the aircraft line vector are displayed to indicate a direction in which the pilot may change heading to maintain the aircraft on the runway.