Mobile unit for support of a bvlos-type flight network infrastructure, system for providing connection among the remote UASS and a control station and method of operation of the autonomous flights

Abstract

The mobile unit for support of network infrastructure of BVLOS flight comprises the following modules: - a garaging module (1) against adverse weather, - a meteorological station module (2), - an energy module (3) for operation and battery charging, - a control unit module (8), - a retransmission station module (4) for communication among the remote UASs and control station (7) of flight operation, - a base station module (5) for UAS comprising the landing and take-off equipment, the system for battery replacement in UAS, and the system for payload placement or removal on UAS. The system for providing connection among the remote UASs and control station (7) providing the control of autonomous flights comprises plurality of the mobile units (6) for operation of BVLOS-type flights. The method of operation of the autonomous flights using the system includes the steps: - an analyses and evaluations of topography of the area of interest with requirement for aerial data collection, - a configuration and deployment of the mobile units (6) in the above-mentioned area according to outputs from the previous step, - a provision, operation, and execution of autonomous flights.

Description

[0001] MOBILE UNIT FOR SUPPORT OF A BVLOS-TYPE FLIGHT NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE, SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING CONNECTION AMONG THE REMOTE UASS AND A CONTROL STATION AND METHOD OF OPERATION OF THE AUTONOMOUS FLIGHTS

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to a mobile unit for support of BVLOS-type flight network infrastructure, to a system for providing connection among the remote UASs and control station providing the control of autonomous flights, and to a method for operation of autonomous flights using the system. The invention belongs to field of aviation.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] The network infrastructures for flights without BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) use conventional unmanned aerial systems (UAS), which however have a limited flight time.

[0006] In the state of the art, document EP3060885 Bl is known which describes UAS configured for autonomous delivery of goods to various destinations. UAS may receive information about the goods to be delivered and the destination and autonomously obtain the goods from a location within the device for handling the goods, calculate a route from the device for handling the goods to the destination, and fly to the destination to deliver the goods. One option is to deliver the goods in containers to goods storages permanently located at selected locations. These local goods storages are not, according to the document, appropriate to be located in remote unguarded locations. The document also describes the method of possible power supply of UAS battery at the local storage or eventually from the transported container.

[0007] The disadvantage of this system is the fixed, predetermined deployment of the storages, which complicates the flexible use of UAS also for other purposes, e.g., for photographic surveys in locations not covered by local storages.

[0008] The disclosed invention eliminates disadvantages of the existing systems by providing the mobile unit for support of BVLOS-type flight network infrastructure, the system for providing connection among the remote UASs and the control station providing control of autonomous flights, and the method of operation of an autonomous flights using the system with the mobile unit for support of BVLOS infrastructure according to invention. Summary of the invention

[0009] The mobile unit for support of BVLOS flight network infrastructure is an integral part of the infrastructure for providing BVLOS-type flights and can be conveniently placed in an environment where there are actual requirements, for example, for the collection of flight data. The mobile unit for support of BVLOS-type flight network infrastructure according to invention comprises the following modules:

[0010] Module providing protection against adverse weather mainly rain, hail, or snow by garaging during non-operating hours. It is conveniently implemented by a trailer with hinged cover system.

[0011] The meteorological station module is equipped with meteorological station that informs about the current weather conditions in the surrounding area.

[0012] The energy module for operation and battery charging, which supplies sufficient energy to all functional units contained in the mobile unit, where the energy module may be preferably a generator set or battery.

[0013] The control unit module with processor for control of mobile unit functions.

[0014] The retransmission station module for communication among the remote UASs and control station of flight operation and provides a service interface and an interface for file transfer from UASs.

[0015] The base station module for UAS comprising the landing and take-off equipment, the system for battery replacement in UAS, and the system for placement or removal of payload on UAS. The robotic system provides the entire battery swapping process and preferably also the payload setup configuration on UAS.

[0016] According to one of aspects of the disclosed invention, there is also provided the system for providing connection among a remote UASs and control station providing the control of autonomous flights, the essence of which is to comprise plurality of mobile units for operation of BVLOS-type flights, a network and data infrastructure for control of UASs, for providing transmission of flight plans for autonomous activities and their transfer to UASs, and preferably also a service interface and an interface for transferring files from UASs.

[0017] Another aspect of the invention relates to the method of operation of the autonomous flights using the system for providing connection among the remote UASs and control station providing the control of an autonomous flights. The essence of method for operation of the autonomous flights comprises the following steps.

[0018] Topographies of the area of interest are analysed and evaluated, for example, with requirement for aerial data collection. This step is needed since in order to deploy mobile units effectively, it is necessary to define all requirements that affect the flight and the target or area that the system wants to cover. The decision criteria for placement of the mobile units include the terrain environment. The urban or non-urban environment and its characteristics determine what device will be used for coverage needs and the manner in which flights can be realized.

[0019] This determines the technical specifications for the mobile unit equipment and also the criteria for flight planning, e.g. antenna configuration, flight altitude, flight risk assessment, terrain elevation, surrounding facilities such as amount of metal, power lines, prohibited flight over areas, and many other criteria such as the distance of BTS stations to ensure that the data passing through the station has the required speed and signal stability needed for remote control.

[0020] The mobile units are configured and deployed according to outputs from the previous step. Another decision criterion is the purpose of flight, as the flight routes have to be proposed according to target needs of flight, shape of the flight routes e.g., the flight corridors, area mapping, etc., for which the criteria for deployment of the mobile units are defined according to manner how the flight routes are proposed.

[0021] The size of UAS or size of the mobile unit is also taken into account in the provision, operation and implementation of autonomous flights. Each UAS platform provides different options of resistance to weather conditions as well as other options e.g., flight distance, flight speed, UAS weight, maximum permissible payload weight, etc., UAS option based on required functions for flight purposes. Accessibility for servicing tasks such as security against theft or damage and location availability are important. Finally, it is the requirement for lighting conditions and the resulting energy autonomy.

[0022] The advantages, of the mobile unit for support of BVLOS-type flight network infrastructure, of the system for providing connection among the remote UASs and control station providing the control of autonomous flights, and of the method of operation of autonomous flights using the system according to invention, are evident from its effects, which are represented externally. The main advantages of the mobile unit for autonomous UAS or their system, placed in the terrain, are that it can shelter the UAS from adverse weather conditions, such as rain, hail, or snow, during non-operational period. It provides information on the current weather conditions in the vicinity as it is equipped with the meteorological station. It provides sufficient power for operation of all equipment. It provides a communication interface among the UASs and control station of flight operation. Thanks to the robotic system, it enables the entire process of battery swapping and payload setup configuration on UAS. It provides the network and data infrastructure for control of UAS, ensures the transmission of flight plans for autonomous activities and their upload to the UAS. It provides a service interface and an interface to transfer files from UAS. It provides the charging of discharged batteries in the equipment stack. All these activities are necessary for the system in order not to require expert technical support, or only in a minimal extent during operation or servicing, and in order to provide connection among the UAS and remote station from where autonomous flights, UAS peripherals as well as battery charging are controlled. The equipment in terrain, thanks to all its technical equipment, allows perform the required autonomous flights.

[0023] Brief description of the drawings

[0024] The mobile unit for support of the network infrastructure of BVLOS-type flights according to invention will be further explained in the drawings, wherein Fig. 1 shows, in axonometric view, the mobile unit in a transportable composed state.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows, in the axonometric view, the mobile unit in sequence of decomposition.

[0026] Fig. 3 shows, in the axonometric view, the mobile unit in decomposed state.

[0027] Fig. 4 shows, in the side open view, the mobile unit garaged in a trailer.

[0028] Fig. 5 illustrates the system for providing connection among the remote UASs and control station providing control of autonomous flights with the set of mobile units for BVLOS-type flight operation.

[0029] Fig. 6 shows a terrain map with two target areas where one mobile unit is placed in each.

[0030] Fig. 7 shows a terrain map with one target area in which two mobile units are located. Examples of embodiments

[0031] It is understood that the individual embodiments of invention are presented for illustration and not as limitations of solutions.

[0032] Example 1

[0033] In this example of specific embodiment, the mobile unit 6 is described for support of BVLOS infrastructure of the autonomous flights depicted in Figs. 1 to 4. The mobile unit 6 comprises: a garaging module 1, which is realized by trailer with hinged cover system, meteorological station module 2 mounted on the cover of the trailer, energy module 3 implemented by electrical generator, control unit module 8 with processor for control of battery swapping and payload configuration on UAS. retransmission station module 4 for communication among the remote UASs and control station 7 of flight operation, a base station module 5 for a UAS containing landing and take-off equipment, a battery swapping system for battery replacement in UAS, and a configuration system for placing or removing payload on UAS.

[0034] Example 2

[0035] In this example of the specific embodiment, the system for providing connection among the remote UASs and control station 7 providing the control of autonomous flights is described as shown in fig. 5.

[0036] The system comprises plurality of mobile units 6 for operation of BVLOS-type flights, the construction of which is described in the previous example. The system further comprises the control station 7 with operators, which is connected to the mobile units 6 by the wireless communication network.

[0037] Example 3

[0038] In this example of the specific embodiment, the method of operation of the autonomous flights using the system for providing connection among the remote UASs and control station 7 providing control of autonomous flights is described, wherein the method comprises the following steps: providing a map of the area of interest from Google Maps or other similar mapping system with the topographical characteristics of the area of interest - analysis and evaluation of topography of the area of interest with requirement for aerial data collection,

[0039] - configuration and deployment of the mobile units 6 in the above-mentioned area according to outputs from the previous step, where Fig. 7 shows a terrain map with one area of interest in which two mobile units 6 are located.

[0040] - ensuring the operation and implementation of the autonomous flights.

[0041] Example 4

[0042] In this example of the specific embodiment, the method of operation of the autonomous flights using the system for providing connection among the remote UASs and control station 7 providing the control of autonomous flights is described, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

[0043] - providing a map of the areas of interest from Google Maps or other similar mapping system with the topographical characteristics of the area of interest,

[0044] - analysis and evaluation of topographies of the areas of interest with requirement for aerial data collection,

[0045] - configuration and deployment of mobile units 6 in the above-mentioned area according to outputs from the previous step, wherein Fig. 6 shows a terrain map with two areas of interest, where one mobile unit 6 is deployed in each.

[0046] - ensuring the operation and implementation of autonomous flights.

[0047] Industrial applicability

[0048] The mobile unit for support of network infrastructure of BVLOS-type flight, the system for providing connection among the remote UASs and control station, and the method for operation of autonomous flights according to invention are applicable in aviation in BVLOS infrastructure of autonomous flights. List of reference

[0049] 1 garaging module

[0050] 2 meteorological station module

[0051] 3 energy module

[0052] 4 retransmission station module

[0053] 5 base station module

[0054] 6 mobile unit

[0055] 7 control station

[0056] 8 control unit module

Claims

CLAIMS1. A mobile unit for support of network infrastructure of BVLOS-type flight, characterised in that it comprises the following modules:- a garaging module (1) against adverse weather,- a meteorological station module (2),- an energy module (3) for operation and battery charging,- a control unit module (8),- a retransmission station module (4) for communication among the remote UAS and a control station (7) of a flight operation,- a base station module (5) for UAS containing the landing and take-off equipment, the- a system for battery replacement in UAS, and a system for payload placement or removal on UAS.

2. A system for providing connection among the remote UASs and control station providing control of autonomous flights, characterized in that it comprises plurality of a mobile units (6) for operation of BVLOS-type flights according to claim 1, and the control station (7).

3. A method of operation of the autonomous flight using the system according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises the steps:- an analysis and evaluation of topography of the area of interest with requirement for aerial data collection,- a configuration and deployment of the mobile units (6) in the above-mentioned area according to outputs from the previous step,- a provision, operation, and execution of autonomous flights.

Images