Passenger Drone Traffic Control Using Cell Tower Coverage Constraints

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing air traffic control systems are inadequate for managing the large number of drones due to their sheer quantity and the need for autonomous communication, especially in environments with dynamic obstructions and varying weather conditions, which poses challenges in ensuring safe and efficient drone operations.

Innovation Solution

The development of a drone air traffic control system utilizing geographic boundaries, dynamic flying lane management, and wireless networks for communication, collision avoidance, and real-time weather integration, enabling the management of multiple drones through a consolidated monitoring system that includes obstruction detection and management, network switchover capabilities, and efficient package delivery coordination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If existing air traffic control network is used for drones, then communication infrastructure is available, but the system becomes overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of drones

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of dronesVSAvoidair traffic control network complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air traffic control network is segmented into multiple regional control zones, each managed by local controllers. Drones are assigned to specific zones based on geographic boundaries, distributing the management burden across multiple control nodes rather than overwhelming a single centralized system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a vertical dimension to drone management by organizing drones into structured flying lanes at different altitudes. This three-dimensional organization (horizontal geographic zones + vertical altitude layers) allows simultaneous management of large drone volumes without proportionally increasing control complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If autonomous communication is implemented for drones, then communication efficiency improves, but collision avoidance becomes more difficult in dynamic environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidcollision avoidance reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous communication system incorporates continuous feedback loops where drones report their status, position, and environmental conditions to the air traffic control system, which then provides real-time adjustments. This feedback mechanism maintains high communication efficiency while ensuring collision avoidance through constant monitoring and adaptive control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes predetermined communication protocols and conflict resolution procedures that drones execute autonomously. By pre-programming collision avoidance algorithms and communication rules, the system achieves efficient autonomous operation while maintaining reliability through tested and validated protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If geographic boundaries are used for drone management, then air traffic control organization improves, but flexibility in responding to dynamic obstructions decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair traffic control organizationVSAvoidresponse flexibility to obstructions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

While geographic boundaries provide a static organizational framework, the system overlays dynamic flight paths and adjustable altitude layers that can be modified in real-time. When obstructions are detected, the system dynamically reroutes drones within their geographic zones or adjusts their vertical positions, maintaining organizational structure while achieving flexible response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If flying lanes are structured at different altitudes, then drone traffic organization improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrone traffic organizationVSAvoidflying lane management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The three-dimensional airspace is segmented into discrete altitude layers, with each layer containing specific flying lanes for particular drone types or destinations. This segmentation organizes traffic efficiently by vertical level while keeping the control logic for each layer relatively simple and modular.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11727813B2Systems and methods for air traffic control for passenger drones

Publication Date: 2023.08.15 METAL RAPTOR INC

AI summary

Air traffic control systems and methods include communicating with passenger drones via one or more cell towers associated with the one or more wireless networks, wherein the passenger drones each include hardware and antennas adapted to communicate to the one or more cell towers, and wherein each passenger drone has a unique identifier in the air traffic control system; obtaining data associated with flight of each of the passenger drones based on the communicating; and managing the flight of each of the passenger drones based on the obtained data and performance of one or more functions associated with air traffic control, wherein each passenger drone is configured to constrain flight based on coverage of the one or more cell towers such that each passenger drone maintains communication on the one or more wireless networks.