Autonomous Aircraft Formation Flying Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for formation flying of aircraft are high pilot-workload activities, and existing technologies do not effectively manage follower aircraft positioning relative to a lead aircraft with sufficient accuracy and safety, particularly in dynamic environments.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing sensors such as cameras, radar, and global positioning systems on the follower aircraft to determine relative position, with a sensor fusion computer and flight control computer to calculate necessary velocity and control inputs for precise positioning, including safety features to prevent overcorrection and pilot disengagement options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If autonomous formation flying control is implemented, then pilot workload is reduced and positioning accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The follower aircraft autonomously determines its own velocity and control inputs using onboard sensors and flight control computer, without requiring pilot intervention. The system self-regulates positioning by continuously sensing relative position, calculating required velocity adjustments, and applying control inputs automatically
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual pilot control with an automated control system comprising sensors (camera, radar, GPS), sensor fusion computer, and flight control computer. This electronic and computational system substitutes the mechanical human-pilot-control-loop with an automated feedback control mechanism
2Measurement precision
If precise relative position sensing is implemented, then formation flying accuracy is improved, but system reliability may be compromised due to overcorrection risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates the precise velocity necessary to reach the selected relative position rather than immediately correcting to the exact desired position. This partial action approach prevents overcorrection by determining control inputs that will achieve the target position without excessive control movements
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously senses relative position, compares it to the selected relative position, and adjusts velocity and control inputs based on the difference. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures stable convergence to the desired position while preventing oscillations and overcorrections
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for directing formation flying of an aircraft includes sensing a relative position of a leader to a follower aircraft by one or more sensors disposed at the follower aircraft. The relative position is compared to a selected relative position, and a follower velocity of the follower aircraft necessary to move the follower aircraft to the selective relative position is determined via a flight control computer of the follower aircraft. The follower velocity is transformed into flight control inputs and the follower aircraft is moved to the selected relative position via the flight control inputs.