Synthetic vision in the cockpit: 3D systems for general aviation

Andrew J. Hansen; Richard M. Rybacki; W. Garth Smith

doi:10.1117/12.438029

28 August 2001 Synthetic vision in the cockpit: 3D systems for general aviation

Andrew J. Hansen, Richard M. Rybacki, W. Garth Smith

Proceedings Volume 4363, Enhanced and Synthetic Vision 2001; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.438029
Event: Aerospace/Defense Sensing, Simulation, and Controls, 2001, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Synthetic vision has the potential to improve safety in aviation through better pilot situational awareness and enhanced navigational guidance. The technological advances enabling synthetic vision are GPS based navigation (position and attitude) systems and efficient graphical systems for rendering 3D displays in the cockpit. A benefit for military, commercial, and general aviation platforms alike is the relentless drive to miniaturize computer subsystems. Processors, data storage, graphical and digital signal processing chips, RF circuitry, and bus architectures are at or out-pacing Moore's Law with the transition to mobile computing and embedded systems. The tandem of fundamental GPS navigation services such as the US FAA's Wide Area and Local Area Augmentation Systems (WAAS) and commercially viable mobile rendering systems puts synthetic vision well with the the technological reach of general aviation. Given the appropriate navigational inputs, low cost and power efficient graphics solutions are capable of rendering a pilot's out-the-window view into visual databases with photo-specific imagery and geo-specific elevation and feature content. Looking beyond the single airframe, proposed aviation technologies such as ADS-B would provide a communication channel for bringing traffic information on-board and into the cockpit visually via the 3D display for additional pilot awareness. This paper gives a view of current 3D graphics system capability suitable for general aviation and presents a potential road map following the current trends.

Citation Download Citation

Andrew J. Hansen, Richard M. Rybacki, and W. Garth Smith "Synthetic vision in the cockpit: 3D systems for general aviation", Proc. SPIE 4363, Enhanced and Synthetic Vision 2001, (28 August 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.438029

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