Patent ID: 6801158
Filing Date: 2004-10-05
Classification: G01S,G08G,H01H,H04B,H04L,H04R,Y04S

Abstract:
A system for providing distance information to the pilot of an aircraft utilizing a Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS) as a navigation and landing aid for the aircraft, comprising:a radio receiver adapted to receive signals from a ground-based radio transmitter associated with the LAAS, the signals including signals representing the location of the LAAS and the end of a runway served by the LAAS; a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver adapted to receive position signals from GPS satellites and for producing signal representing the location of the aircraft; a controller coupled to the radio receiver and to the GPS receiver for receiving the signals representing the locations of the end of the runway and of the aircraft, respectively, and for calculating the distance of the aircraft from the end of the runway; and a signaling mechanism coupled to the controller for providing to the pilot of the aircraft the distance of the aircraft to the end of the runway.