Vision based Estimation of Runway relative Aircraft Position and Orientation

Satellite based Navigation systems and Inertial Navigation systems (INS) are conventionally used for Aircraft Navigation. Instrumentation landing systems (ILS) needs equipment on runway as well as on the aircraft. When ILS or alternate navigation systems are not available, Vision based system can be used as an alternative to update INS. An algorithm is developed to estimate the Runway Relative Aircraft Position and Orientation during the final phase of landing when runway or pre-stored features/regions are visible. An algorithm is developed to identify three edges on the runway (Two along longitudinal left and right boundaries and the third one horizontal to the landing stripes) and to subsequently estimate the runway relative Position and Orientation using the complete camera perspective projection model. The test results suggest that Position estimates exhibit good accuracy.