Aerial Vehicle Return Path Control With Obstacle-Aware Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remote controlled aerial vehicles face challenges in quickly and safely returning to a predefined location due to mechanical issues or environmental constraints, requiring efficient flight path adjustments and automated return processes to minimize impact on surroundings.
Innovation Solution
A remote controlled aerial vehicle system with a programmable flight path and automated return functionality, utilizing a wireless communication link between the vehicle and remote controller, which includes a flight controller, gimbal, and camera, allowing for obstacle avoidance and direct return paths, and enabling the vehicle to adjust its flight plan based on real-time operational and environmental data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the aerial vehicle follows a direct return path to minimize return time, then the speed of returning is improved, but the risk of collision with obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary obstacle detection by transmitting radar signals ahead of the vehicle's position along the planned return path. This advance detection allows the vehicle to identify obstacles before reaching them, enabling proactive path adjustment while maintaining high return speed. The radar continuously scans the environment forward of the vehicle, creating a safety buffer zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback through continuous radar scanning and GPS tracking. The radar detects obstacles and feeds this information back to the flight controller, which then adjusts the return path dynamically. This closed-loop control allows the vehicle to maintain optimal speed while automatically avoiding detected obstacles by recalculating the safest route back to the home location.
2Reliability
If the aerial vehicle performs complex flight path adjustments to avoid obstacles, then the safety is improved, but the return time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the return path based on real-time radar detection and environmental conditions. Rather than following a fixed predetermined path, the flight controller continuously modifies the route to avoid obstacles while minimizing deviation from the direct return trajectory. This dynamic path planning allows safety adjustments without excessive time loss by only deviating when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes flight parameters such as altitude, heading, and speed in response to detected obstacles. When an obstacle is detected, the flight controller adjusts these parameters to navigate around it efficiently. For example, the vehicle may change altitude to pass over obstacles or adjust heading to bypass them, then return to the optimal return path, minimizing time loss while ensuring safe passage.
3Ease of operation
If the aerial vehicle uses automated return functionality to reduce operational complexity, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ability to handle unexpected mechanical issues worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service through automated obstacle detection and path recalculation. The radar and flight controller work autonomously to detect obstacles and adjust the return path without pilot intervention. This self-service capability handles routine environmental obstacles efficiently, reducing operational complexity while maintaining the pilot's ability to intervene if mechanical issues arise.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system incorporates continuous feedback from radar, GPS, and vehicle sensor data to monitor both environmental obstacles and mechanical status. This feedback loop allows the system to automatically respond to environmental conditions while also detecting mechanical anomalies. When mechanical issues are detected, the system can alert the pilot or initiate emergency procedures, maintaining adaptability despite automation.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a configuration to control automatic return of an aerial vehicle. The configuration stores a return location in a storage device of the aerial vehicle. The return location may correspond to a location where the aerial vehicle is to return. One or more sensors of the aerial vehicle are monitored during flight for detection of a predefined condition. When a predetermined condition is met a return path program may be loaded for execution to provide a return flight path for the aerial vehicle to automatically navigate to the return location.