Passenger Drone Traffic Control Across Multiple Wireless Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing air traffic control systems are impractical for managing the large number of drones due to their sheer quantity and the need for autonomous communication, requiring new systems and methods to provide effective air traffic control and communication for drones, especially in scenarios involving passenger drones, dynamic obstructions, and varying weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
The development of systems and methods for drone air traffic control utilizing wireless networks, including dynamic flying lane management, obstruction detection and management, and collision avoidance through a modified Inevitable Collision State (ICS) approach, along with the use of elevator or tube lifts for drone takeoff and control, and network switchover capabilities to ensure reliable communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the existing air traffic control network (NAS) is used for drones, then air traffic control functionality is provided, but the system becomes impractical due to the sheer quantity of drones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air traffic control system into multiple drone control systems, where each system manages a specific geographic region or cluster of drones. This segmentation allows the overall system to scale by adding more regional control systems rather than overloading a single centralized NAS infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal drone control system that can handle multiple functions including traffic management, collision avoidance, weather monitoring, and communication coordination. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems, improving scalability while maintaining comprehensive air traffic control capabilities.
2Productivity
If autonomous communication is implemented for drones, then communication efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service communication where drones autonomously establish and maintain communication channels with control systems, negotiate bandwidth allocation, and self-manage connection protocols. This eliminates the need for complex centralized communication management while improving efficiency through autonomous decision-making at the drone level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes preliminary communication protocols and autonomous communication frameworks before drones operate in the airspace. By pre-configuring communication capabilities and autonomous negotiation protocols, the system achieves efficient communication without requiring complex real-time management infrastructure.
3Reliability
If multiple wireless networks are used for drone control, then communication reliability is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary network management layer that coordinates communication across multiple wireless networks. This intermediary automatically handles network selection, switching, and coordination, providing reliable multi-network communication while shielding drones and control systems from the complexity of direct multi-network management.
Data Source
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 a determined route.