JPH05185996A - Position sensor of aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] The present invention is to detect the presence or absence of an aircraft with high accuracy while sufficiently satisfying the requirements of construction, maintainability, and the like, and taking sufficient noise countermeasures into consideration. .. [Structure] One transmitter / receiver 10 or transmitter 10 of 20
2, 202 transmits the sensor number set in the sensor number setting units 101, 201 as a coded pulse-modulated laser beam signal, and transmits / receives the other transmitting / receiving unit 20, 1
At 0, the signal processing units 104 and 204 determine whether or not the sensor number is a predetermined sensor number. If the sensor number is from a transmitting / receiving means in an opposing relationship, it is determined that no aircraft exists, and a different sensor is used. If it is a number, it is determined that the aircraft exists. Furthermore, the aircraft position sensor device determines that the sensor is abnormal when the determination results of the two transmitting / receiving units 10 and 20 are different.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an aircraft position sensor device used for detecting the presence / absence of an aircraft on taxiways and runways, and particularly adds a technique for highly accurately detecting the presence / absence of an aircraft. Aircraft position sensor device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, as a concrete example of this type of aircraft position sensor device, in the United Kingdom, West Germany, etc., a large number of loop coils are provided under a ground directly below the taxiway at predetermined intervals. While being buried, a predetermined low frequency current is applied to each of these loop coils to set them in a measurable state. When the aircraft (metal object) approaches the buried loop coil in this state, the inductance of the loop coil changes, so that the passage of the aircraft can be detected from this change in inductance.

[0003]

However, when a large number of loop coils are buried in an existing airport, it is necessary to stop the operation, which causes many problems in terms of construction. Further, if the sensor device composed of the loop coil fails, it hinders the operation of the aircraft, and there is a difficulty in maintainability. Further, there is a problem that the cost becomes high and the detection capability is deteriorated during snowfall.

By the way, Japan is currently in the stage of studying whether or not to introduce this kind of aircraft position sensor device, and among them is a loop coil system, an ultrasonic system, an engine sound detection system, an infrared system. , Photoelectric method, laser radar method, etc. are listed as candidates, but all of these requirements are satisfied when they are examined in terms of detection performance, workability, maintainability, compatibility with airports, weatherability, price, etc. The detection method to do is not found yet.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is an aircraft position sensor capable of sufficiently satisfying various requirements and capable of highly accurately detecting the presence / absence of an aircraft while sufficiently considering noise countermeasures. The purpose is to provide a device.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention corresponding to claim 1 transmits a laser beam signal having coded data (sensor number), and this transmitting means. The laser beam signal of the encoded data is installed so as to face the predetermined position of either or both of the taxiway and the runway with the receiving means for receiving the laser beam signal of the coded data transmitted from An aircraft position sensor device for outputting a detection signal indicating that an aircraft does not exist at a predetermined position on a taxiway or a runway from the receiving means when receiving a signal.

Next, the invention according to claim 2 is, in place of the laser beam signal having the coded data of the invention according to claim 1, a predetermined frequency that is repeatedly turned on and off at regular intervals. The presence / absence of an aircraft is detected by using the laser beam signal of.

Next, the invention according to claim 3 optimizes the data by using a laser beam signal obtained by adding a check code to the coded data of the invention according to claim 1. It is a configuration that detects the presence or absence of an aircraft while checking.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 uses the laser beam signal of a predetermined wavelength in place of the laser beam signal having the coded data of the invention according to claim 1, and This is a configuration for detecting the presence / absence.

[0010]

Therefore, in the invention corresponding to claim 1, by taking the above-mentioned means, the transmitting means for transmitting the laser beam signal and the receiving means for receiving the laser beam signal are either guideways or runways. Since it is provided so as to face one or both of the predetermined positions, it does not hinder the operation of the aircraft during construction or when the sensor device fails. Moreover, the transmitting means transmits the encoded data, that is, the laser beam signal having the sensor number, while the receiving means determines whether or not the laser beam signal having the required sensor number is received. When receiving, the detection signal indicating that the aircraft does not exist is output, so it is not only strong against noise, but also whether the laser beam signal comes from the sensor in the facing relationship. It is possible to make a reliable judgment and, with high accuracy, detect the presence or absence of an aircraft.

Next, in the invention according to claim 2, by transmitting and receiving a laser beam signal of a predetermined frequency that is repeatedly turned on and off at regular intervals, as in the case described above, at the time of construction or failure of the sensor device, the aircraft It does not hinder the operation of the vehicle, is not only resistant to noise, and can reliably determine whether or not the laser beam signal is coming from the sensor in the facing relationship, and can detect the presence or absence of the aircraft with high accuracy. ..

Next, in the invention according to claim 3, by transmitting and receiving a laser beam signal in which a check code is added to the coded data, the presence or absence of the aircraft is checked while confirming the reliability of the data. It can be detected and a detection signal can be obtained with extremely high accuracy. Further, claim 4
The invention corresponding to has the same operation as the invention corresponding to claim 2.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the state of an airport. Generally, an airport is composed of a plurality of taxiways A1, A2, ... For guiding an aircraft and a runway B for taking off an aircraft, of which each taxiway A1, A2 ,. Stop bar lights C1, C2
In addition to this, taxiway center lights D1 and D that direct the guidance of the aircraft
2, ... are installed, and further, the runway B has the runway B concerned.
Taxiway center lights E1, E for instructing permission of aircraft to enter
2, ... are installed.

In the conventional guidance of such an aircraft, the controller appropriately and selectively watches the stop bar lights C1, C2, ..., Taxiway center lights D1, D while observing the state of the aircraft in the airport.
2, ... and taxiway center lights E1, E2 ,.
By turning on the green light and turning off the lights, the aircraft is guided from Runway B to Runway B one by one and then taken off from the runway.

However, in reality, a heavy burden is placed on the controller. Accordingly, the inventors of the present invention have conducted various studies aiming at reducing the burden from the viewpoint of monitoring by a controller to automatic monitoring by an electronic device, and as a result, transmitting and receiving using a laser beam is a very effective means. Came to think that. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, transmitting means F1, F2, ... For transmitting laser beam signals to predetermined positions on taxiways A1, A2, ... And runway B and receiving means G1, G2 ,. To detect the presence of an aircraft by sending and receiving laser beams.

However, among such sending and receiving means,
In particular, various external light enters the receiving means as noise,
The problem is whether or not the laser beam signals are from the transmitting means installed opposite to each other, and another problem still remains from the viewpoint of high accuracy and eventually reliability. Therefore, the present invention is to realize a sensor device having high resistance to noise as described below, and specific examples thereof will be described below.

First, an embodiment of the invention according to claim 1 will be described with reference to FIG. That is, this device is an aircraft position sensor device having a first transmitting / receiving unit 10 and a second transmitting / receiving unit 20 each having one side as a transmitting unit and the other side as a receiving unit.
The second transmitting / receiving unit 20 is installed opposite to each other at a predetermined position with the taxiway or the runway or the taxiway and the runway in between.

The transmission / reception units 10 and 20 have a sensor number setting unit 1 in which unique sensor numbers different from each other are set.
01, 201, a transmitter 10 for transmitting a pulse-modulated laser beam signal having data coded based on the sensor numbers of the sensor number setting units 101, 201.
2, 202, receiving unit 1 for receiving this laser beam signal
03, 203, after confirming the partner sensor number based on the received signal, a signal processing unit 10 that outputs a "low level" detection signal indicating that the aircraft does not pass during reception.
4, 204, etc. 105,20
Reference numeral 5 is a power source for supplying electric power to the constituent elements of each part of the apparatus as required.

The transmitters / receivers 10 and 20 are externally arranged at the center as shown in FIG.
2,202 laser projection parts a are provided, and four light receiving parts b are arranged around the projection parts a.

Next, the operation of the above apparatus will be described. In the transmitters 102 and 202, pulse modulation having coded data as shown in FIG. 4 is performed based on the sensor numbers of the sensor number setting units 101 and 201 using, for example, a laser diode with a transmission peak output of 2W. The laser beam signal is constantly transmitted. The peak output of these two transmitters 102 and 202 and the wavelength of 905 nm
Are the same, and the laser beam signal is narrowed down by a lens in both cases, and the vertical 0.5 m ± at a distance of 200 m.
It has a width of 50% and a width of 0.25 m ± 50%.

The synchronization bits shown in FIG.
3, 203, a bit code for surely reading the sensor number, which is inserted for each sensor number or for each of a plurality of predetermined sensor numbers.

Here, one receiving section 103 receives the pulse-modulated laser beam signal having the coded data sent from the transmitting section 202 via the light receiving section B, and then the signal processing section. To 104. The signal processing unit 104 compares the partner sensor number preset based on the synchronization bit with the sensor number in the received signal, and determines whether the signal is from the partner transceiver unit 20 in a pair relationship. It is judged whether or not the aircraft is not passing while receiving the signal from the partner transceiver 20, and outputs a "low level" detection signal.

In the other receiving section 203, the pulse-modulated laser beam signal having the coded data sent from the transmitting section 102 is also received via the light receiving section B, and then received by the signal processing section 204. Send out. In this signal processing unit 204, the sensor number in the signal received based on the synchronization bit is compared with the preset sensor number of the partner side transceiver unit 10, and from the partner side transceiver unit 10 in a pair relationship. It is determined whether or not the signal is a signal of “No.”, and a “low level” detection signal indicating that the aircraft is not passing is output while the signal from the other-side transmitting / receiving unit 10 is being received.

On the other hand, when the aircraft passes through the taxiway and the laser beam signal is interrupted, the laser beam signals cannot be received by the receiving units 103 and 203, and as a result, the signal processing units 104 and 204 receive the sensor signals from the other party. I can not confirm the number, so at this time it is judged that the aircraft exists,
It outputs a "high level" detection signal. Both signal processing units 1
When the determination results of 04 and 204 are different, for example, an alarm signal indicating that the sensor is abnormal is output.

Therefore, when the detection signals from the transmitting / receiving sections 10 and 20 obtained as described above are sent to either one or both of the lamp drive control device and the control tower of another system, the lamp drive control device: These transceivers 10,
Based on the detection signal from 20, the stop bar lights C1, ...
And the taxiway center lights D1, ... And E1 ,. In addition, the controller of the control tower, especially when it receives an aircraft passage detection signal, that is, a "high level" detection signal,
Direct the aircraft pilot to start or stop the aircraft.

Therefore, according to the above-mentioned embodiment, the transmitting / receiving unit 1 has a positional relationship such that the taxiway and the runway are sandwiched therebetween.
Since 0 and 20 are installed facing each other, there is no need to dig up taxiways and runways and bury them underground, and it can be installed without obstructing the arrival and departure of aircraft. Further, since the laser beam signal is simply encoded, it can be realized compactly. Furthermore, by using a laser beam signal that encodes the sensor number, the receiving side can reliably determine whether or not the laser beam signal is from the transmitter / receiver of the other side, and is not affected by noise components due to external light. In addition, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not the signal is a laser beam signal from the transmitter / receiver on the other side, and thus it is possible to accurately detect the presence or absence of an aircraft.

When a high-level detection signal is received from any one of the signal processing units 104 and 204 of the transmission / reception units 10 and 20 and a low-level detection signal is received from the other signal processing unit, The lamp drive control device regards this as a sensor abnormality and notifies the controller, for example, of the sensor abnormality.
When the outputs of the signal processing units 104 and 204 are directly sent to the control tower, the controller is notified by means that can be sufficiently recognized.

Next, an embodiment of the invention according to claim 2 will be described with reference to FIG. This transmitting / receiving unit 30, 4
0 is a frequency setting unit 301, 401 in which different predetermined frequencies each having a function as a unique sensor number are set, and it is turned on / off at regular intervals based on the set values of the frequency setting units 301, 401. And transmitting sections 302 and 402 for respectively pulse-modulating different predetermined frequency signals to transmit as laser beam signals, receiving sections 303 and 403 for receiving laser beam signals from the transmitting sections 302 and 402, and receiving sections 303, The signal processing units 304 and 404 are configured to check the partner side transmitting / receiving units 30 and 40 based on the received signal from the unit 403 and to determine the presence / absence of an aircraft. Thirty
5, 405 are power supplies.

Therefore, according to the configuration of the above embodiment, the frequency setting sections 301 and 401 are previously set for each transmitting / receiving section.
Is set to a unique frequency. Therefore, each transmitter 3
02 and 402, the corresponding frequency setting units 301 and 40
Based on the set frequency of 1, a different frequency f as shown in FIG.
A laser beam signal obtained by pulse-modulating 1 and f2 is transmitted.

Incidentally, these two transmitting sections 302 and 402
The transmission peak output and the wavelength of 905 nm are the same, and in each case, the laser signal is narrowed down by the lens and the laser beam signal is always transmitted.

Here, the receiving unit 30 in the transmitting / receiving unit 30
In 3, the laser beam signal having a predetermined frequency signal that is repeatedly turned on and off at a constant cycle is transmitted from the transmission unit 402 of the partner side transmission / reception unit 40, and is transmitted to the signal processing unit 304. Here, in the signal processing unit 304, a gate synchronized with the frequency of the received signal is applied, or a predetermined frequency signal extracted from the received signal is compared with a predetermined frequency signal of the partner transmission / reception unit 40, It is determined that the signal is a laser beam signal from the partner transceiver 40. That is, when the signal processing unit 304 receives the laser beam signal of the predetermined frequency signal f2 from the partner transceiver 40, the signal processor 304 determines that the signal is from the partner transceiver 40 having the facing relationship, and, for example, the aircraft is placed on the taxiway. A low-level detection signal indicating that there is no signal is output.

The receiving unit 403 and the signal processing unit 404 in the transmission / reception unit 40 also perform the same processing, and when the laser beam signal is from the transmission / reception unit 30 of the other side, it is determined that, for example, no aircraft exists in the taxiway. , "Low level" detection signal is output.

On the other hand, in the signal processing units 304 and 404 of the transmission / reception units 30 and 40, the other side transmission / reception units 40 and 30
When the predetermined frequencies f2 and f1 cannot be received for a required time, it is determined that, for example, an aircraft is present on the taxiway, and a "high level" detection signal is output.

When the determination results of the signal processing units 304 and 404 are different, it is determined that the sensor is abnormal, that is, the transmitting / receiving unit is abnormal, and an alarm signal is output. Therefore, in this case, the controller's judgment is prioritized as in the conventional case.

Next, an embodiment of the invention according to claim 3 will be described with reference to FIG. This transmitting / receiving unit 50, 6
0 is a sensor number setting unit 501, in which a unique sensor number different from each other is set for each transmitting / receiving unit 50, 60.
601, a check code setting unit 502, 602 in which a check code having a regularity is set in advance so as to be an odd bit or an even bit in relation to the sensor number, based on the sensor number of the sensor number setting unit 501, 601 Check code setting unit 50 for encoded data
Transmitters 503, 603 for transmitting pulse-modulated laser beam signals by adding check codes 2, 602,
The receiving units 504 and 604 that receive the laser beam signals from the transmitting units 503 and 603 confirm the partner sensor number based on the received signals, and the laser beam signal is transmitted from this check code according to a predetermined rule. Signal processing unit 505 for checking whether or not
605 and the like. Reference numerals 506 and 606 are power sources.

Therefore, according to the configuration of the above embodiment, for example, the transmission peak output 2W from the transmission units 503 and 603.
As shown in FIG. 8 using the laser diode of FIG. 8, if the laser beam signal pulse-modulated by adding the check code to the synchronization bit and the sensor number of FIG. 4 is transmitted, the receiving units 504 and 604 are based on the synchronization bit. The laser beam signal is received and transmitted to the signal processing units 505 and 605. These signal processing units 505 and 605 determine whether or not there is an error in the sensor number using the check code. If there is no error, it is determined that the sensor number of the partner transceiver unit 60, 50. At the same time, for example, it is determined that no aircraft is present in the taxiway, and a "low level" detection signal is output.

On the other hand, even if the sensor number is correct, when an error is judged from the check code, an error signal or alarm signal is output or the received laser beam signal is not adopted. When different results are output from the signal processing units 505 and 605, the transmission / reception units 50 and 60 are determined to be abnormal and an alarm signal is output.

Further, an embodiment of the invention according to claim 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The embodiment of the present invention includes oscillating units 701 and 801, which generate different wavelengths λ1 and λ2, transmitting units 702 and 802 which continuously oscillate wavelengths λ1 and λ2 set by the oscillating units 701 and 801, respectively. The transmission / reception units 80 and 70 are composed of reception units 703 and 803 having optical filters that pass wavelengths λ1 and λ2, signal processing units 704 and 804, and power supply units 705 and 805.

According to the apparatus of this embodiment, the signal processing units 704 and 804 compare the wavelengths received by the receiving units 703 and 803 with the preset wavelengths set by the transmitting and receiving units 80 and 70 on the other side. , It is determined that the signal is a laser beam signal from the transmitter / receiver 80, 70 on the partner side. That is, in the signal processing unit 704, the predetermined wavelength λ2 is transmitted from the partner transmission / reception unit 80.
When the laser beam signal is received, it is determined that it is a signal from the opposite side transceiver unit 80 having an opposing relationship, and for example, a "low level" detection signal indicating that no aircraft is present on the taxiway is output.

The signal processing unit 804 in the transmission / reception unit 80 also executes the same processing. When the laser beam signal is from the partner transmission / reception unit 70, for example, it is determined that there is no aircraft on the taxiway, and "low level" is set. "Detection signal of" is output. When different results are output from the signal processing units 704 and 804, an alarm signal indicating that the transmission / reception unit 70 or 80 is abnormal is output.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, when the output of each transmitting / receiving unit 10-80 is transmitted to the lamp drive control device or the control tower via the transmission line, not only the original detection signal but also the signal corresponding to the sensor number is simultaneously transmitted from each signal processing unit 105-805. May be sent. Besides, the present invention can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention, various requirements such as construction and maintainability can be sufficiently satisfied, and the presence or absence of an aircraft can be accurately determined while sufficiently considering noise countermeasures. An aircraft position sensor device capable of detecting can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the state of an airport.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the invention according to claim 1.

FIG. 3 is an external view showing an example of one transmitting means or one receiving means constituting the aircraft position sensor device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the invention according to claim 1;

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the invention according to claim 2;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the invention according to claim 2;

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the invention according to claim 3;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the invention according to claim 3;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the invention according to claim 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

A1 to A4 ... Taxiway, B ... Runway, 10-80 ... Transmitting / receiving unit, 101, 201, 501, 601 ... Sensor number setting unit, 301, 401 ... Frequency setting unit, 502, 602 ...
Check code setting unit, 701, 801 ... Oscillation unit, 10
2,202,302,402,503,603,70
2, 802 ... Transmitter, 103, 203, 303, 40
3,504,604,703,803 ... Receiving unit, 10
4,204,304,404,505,605,70
4, 804 ... Signal processing unit.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Tetsuo Sato 2-5-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Toshiba Tesco Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Koji Mineo 2-5-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Toshiba TESCO Corporation

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A guide path and a receiving means for transmitting a laser beam signal having coded data and a receiving means for receiving a laser beam signal of coded data sent from the transmitting means. An aircraft is present at a predetermined position of the taxiway or runway when the receiving means receives the laser beam signal of the coded data, while being installed at a predetermined position on either one or both of the runways. An aircraft position sensor device, characterized in that it outputs a detection signal to the effect that it has not. 2. A transmitting means for transmitting a laser beam signal having a predetermined frequency, which is repeatedly turned on and off at regular intervals, and a receiving means for receiving a laser beam signal having a predetermined frequency, which is transmitted from the transmitting means. When a frequency different from the predetermined frequency is continuously received by the receiving means for a predetermined time or more, the guideway and the runway are installed facing each other at predetermined positions, or both of the taxiways and the runway, and the predetermined position of the taxiway or the runway. An aircraft position sensor device, which outputs a detection signal indicating that an aircraft is present in the vehicle. 3. Guided transmission means for transmitting a laser beam signal added with a check code according to a certain rule to coded data, and reception means for receiving the laser beam signal transmitted from this transmission means. It is installed at a predetermined position on either or both of a road and a runway, and it is judged whether the data is proper by using a check code added to the coded data in the receiving means, An aircraft position sensor device characterized by detecting the presence or absence of an aircraft. 4. One of a taxiway and a runway, comprising a transmitting means for transmitting a laser beam signal of a predetermined wavelength and a receiving means for receiving a laser beam signal of a predetermined wavelength transmitted from the transmitting means. Alternatively, when installed at both predetermined positions facing each other and the receiving means continuously receives a wavelength different from the predetermined wavelength for a predetermined time or more, a detection signal indicating that the aircraft exists at the predetermined position on the taxiway or runway. The aircraft position sensor device is characterized by outputting.