Ground proximity warning system and method having a reduced set of input ...

(21) Appl. No.: 09/534,222

(22) Filed: Mar. 24, 2000

Related U.S. Application Data

(60) Provisional application No. 60/126,197, filed on Mar. 25, 1999.

(51) Int. CI.7 G08G 5/04; G08B 23/00;

G01C 5/00

(52) U.S. CI 701/9; 701/206; 340/970

(58) Field of Search 701/9, 4, 14, 206,

701/301; 340/970, 945, 963, 967, 969, 977; 73/178 R, 178 T; 342/65

(56) References Cited

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(List continued on next page.)

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

WO WO 99/42788 8/1999 G01C/5/00

Primary Examiner—-Tan Q. Nguyen

Assistant Examiner—Dalena Tran

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Honeywell IntT Inc.

(57) ABSTRACT

The ground proximity warning system and method provide a number ol alerts based upon a substantially reduced list ol input parameters relative to a conventional ground proximity warning system and method. The ground proximity warning system and method generally constructs alert envelopes and generates alerts il the upcoming terrain or other obstacles pierce the alert envelopes. The ground proximity warning system and method can also generate alerts il the aircraft has an excessive descent rate at a relatively low altitude and il the aircraft descends immediately following takeoff in a similar lashion to Mode 1 and Mode 3 alerts. Further, the ground proximity warning system and method can provide altitude call outs at predefined altitudes above a target runway and can provide alerts il the aircraft appears to be landing short ol a runway. The ground proximity warning system and method are capable ol providing the various warnings based upon only a pressure altitude, GPS signals and, in some embodiments, the external air temperature. Thus, the ground proximity warning system and method can be independent ol a radio altimeter, an ADC, a glideslope receiver and signals indicative ol the configuration ol the landing gear and flaps.

36 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets

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