Performance analysis of an infrared pilot-warning indicator system

An optical-infrared concept is described having applications to a simple, low cost pilot-warning indicator. The system required ultimately should be capable of providing the aircraft pilot with an audible warning and a visual presentation which would give both elevation and relative bearing information on other aircraft. This information would be relative to a fixed reference such as the flight path or the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The concept investigated is not meant to compete with the automatic collision avoidance system, but should be thought of primarily as a simple and relatively cheap means of providing enhanced collision avoidance capability for general aviation aircraft. The system should be capable of multitarget detection at ranges of at least 2 to 5 miles, with an audible alarm, and should provide the pilot with the directional positions of those other aircraft. With these simplified requirements a cooperative pilot-warning indicator system is being developed, based upon the detection of infrared energy emitted by a light source placed on each aircraft. System concepts will be described, based upon the feasibility of the source-detector combinations investigated. These concepts will ultimately have to consider omnidirectional detection of aircraft equipped with xenon lights, and display concepts applicable to this approach need to be further developed.