TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

The patent describes an autopilot and its implementation onboard aircraft. The system consists of a gravity oriented optronic sensor able to deliver a signal that is approximately equal to the ratio between ground speed and ground height. The system also comprises a preset reference value of this ratio, which is used by a regulation loop to drive the pitch angle and/or the power of the aircraft to maintain the measured quotient at this set point. The outcome is a challenging aircraft behavior: ground obstacle avoidance, terrain following, automatic takeoff and landing, with suitable reaction to headwind. There is no need for any onboard knowledge of ground height, ground speed, airspeed…

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

This innovation addresses the field of aircraft/airspace industries:
– Automatic Flight Control Systems for helicopters, airplanes, UAVs…
– Ground obstacle avoidance and terrain following systems
– Automatic takeoff and automatic landing systems without ILS

This innovation offers major advantages for use onboard unmanned aircraft (for instance, UAVs and MAVs) because much of the traditional (heavy, costly and power hungry) avionics can be disposed of.

For further information, please contact us (Ref 85442-01)