ADS-B Overlay Communication for UAV ATC Maneuver Requests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current navigation communication systems for aircraft, especially unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), face challenges in communicating maneuver intentions and receiving permissions from air traffic control without relying on voice channels, particularly under conditions of radio frequency limitations and increased air traffic competition, which hinders compliance with aviation regulations.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) systems to overlay maneuver request and execution data onto primary ADS-B signals, allowing UAVs to transmit and receive permissions digitally, independent of voice communication, thereby enabling compliance with aviation regulations even in unreliable communication conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional voice channel radio communication is used for maneuver requests, then communication with ATC is straightforward, but the system becomes vulnerable to RF limitations and increased air traffic competition
Solution Approach 1:
The ADS-B transceiver is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its original surveillance-broadcast function and the additional function of carrying maneuver permission request and grant communications. The system overlays communication data onto existing ADS-B signals, allowing a single device to serve multiple communication purposes without requiring separate dedicated voice channels, thus improving reliability while avoiding increased complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the maneuver permission communication function with the existing ADS-B surveillance-broadcast infrastructure. By combining these functions into a single communication pathway using the same transceiver and signal infrastructure, the system eliminates the need for separate voice channels and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining reliable communication
2Reliability
If dedicated frequency channels are used for ATC communication, then communication path is clear, but RF spectrum becomes more crowded and unreliable under increased air traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes the ADS-B transceiver multi-functional, allowing it to carry both surveillance-broadcast data and maneuver permission communications. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated frequency channels for ATC communication, reducing RF spectrum usage while maintaining reliable communication through the shared ADS-B infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from using separate frequency channels (one-dimensional spectrum allocation) to overlaying communication data onto existing ADS-B signals in the signal domain. This dimensional shift allows multiple communication functions to coexist within the same frequency spectrum without requiring additional RF resources, thereby reducing spectrum congestion and improving reliability
3Speed
If autonomous maneuver capability is implemented without ATC permission, then response time to conflicts increases, but compliance with aviation regulations is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously monitoring the communications channel for ATC permission before executing any maneuver. The autonomous aircraft waits for and receives explicit permission from ATC through the overlay communication system before initiating maneuvers, ensuring regulatory compliance while maintaining rapid response capability through automated monitoring and decision-making
Data Source
AI summary
An aerial vehicle maneuvers in compliance with applicable aviation regulations by formulating a request to air traffic control (ATC) for permission to perform a proposed maneuver, overlaying, as a sub-modulated secondary signal, data characterizing the request on top of a primary ADS-B signal such that the primary ADS-B signal is not interfered with, and transmitting an ADS-B message comprising the primary and secondary signals. Permission can likewise be transmitted and received from ATC using ADS-B overlay communication. The aerial vehicle can conduct emergency maneuvers in the absence of permission and update ATC as to flight path deviations taken using ADS-B overlay communication, without the need for a voice radio and by using existing ADS-B digital communications.