Multi-Drone Sensor Handoff for Target Detection Under Payload Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Moving platforms, such as drones, are limited in their sensor configurations due to weight and cost constraints, which hinders their ability to perform tasks like information gathering, photography, surveillance, and surveying across various scenarios and conditions.
Innovation Solution
The system involves deploying multiple moving platforms with different sensor types to an area, allowing them to switch and augment each other's capabilities based on the task requirements, using a central system to coordinate and manage the deployment and data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a moving platform is configured with multiple sensor types to handle diverse scenarios, then the operational versatility is improved, but the weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sensing function across multiple independent moving platforms, each carrying a single sensor type. Instead of one platform with all sensors, multiple specialized platforms work together, with each platform's weight optimized for its specific sensor payload while the collective system achieves full sensing coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Each moving platform is designed as a universal base unit capable of carrying different sensor types. The platforms can be dynamically assigned to carry various sensors (electromagnetic, acoustic, thermal, etc.) depending on mission requirements, allowing the same platform structure to serve multiple sensing functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a moving platform is configured with multiple sensor types to handle diverse scenarios, then the operational versatility is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the sensing capabilities across multiple platforms, allowing each platform to be manufactured and tested independently with a single sensor type. This reduces development costs per platform and allows parallel manufacturing, lowering overall system cost while maintaining versatility through the fleet's collective capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of sensor configuration from fixed multi-sensor platforms to dynamically configurable single-sensor platforms. This allows optimization of each platform for its specific sensor requirements and enables cost-effective scaling by adding or removing platforms based on mission needs rather than requiring expensive all-purpose platforms.
3Weight of moving object
If a moving platform carries limited sensors due to weight constraints, then the weight is reduced, but the measurement capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the measurement function across multiple platforms, each optimized for its specific sensor type. This allows each platform to carry sufficient sensor payload for accurate measurement without excessive weight, while the collective fleet provides comprehensive measurement coverage across all required parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the capabilities of multiple single-sensor platforms to achieve the equivalent or superior measurement capability of a hypothetical multi-sensor platform. By coordinating data from multiple platforms, the system achieves comprehensive measurement precision while keeping individual platform weights low.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for operating a moving platform to determine data associated with a target person or object are disclosed. In an example method to determine at least one of an object or an activity associated with the target, a first moving platform, configured with a first type of sensor, is caused to move to an area associated with the target. The target is located at the area. An attempt is made to determine, via the first moving platform and the first type of sensor, the at least one of the object or activity. Based on the attempt, a second moving platform, configured with a second type of sensor, is caused to move to the area. The at least one of the object or activity associated with the target is determined via the second moving platform and the second type of sensor.