Drone Waypoint Directory for Obstruction-Aware Air Traffic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing air traffic control systems are inadequate for managing the large number of drones, as they are not scalable to handle the sheer quantity of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and do not effectively integrate with wireless networks for real-time communication and navigation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for air traffic control using wireless networks to manage flying lanes, detect and avoid obstructions, and coordinate drone flights, incorporating dynamic flying lane management, obstruction detection, and network switchover capabilities to ensure safe and efficient drone operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing air traffic control systems are used to manage drones, then traditional air traffic control functions are provided, but the systems cannot scale to handle the large quantity of drones and lack integration with wireless networks for real-time communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a unified air traffic control system that serves multiple functions: traditional air traffic control for manned aircraft and specialized drone management with wireless network integration. The system handles flight path management, obstacle detection, real-time communication, and navigation assistance in a single multi-functional platform, allowing it to scale from managing a few drones to handling large quantities while maintaining adaptability to different communication networks.
2Reliability
If a dedicated air traffic control network is used for drones, then real-time communication and navigation are achieved, but the system complexity increases and scalability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges drone-specific air traffic control functions with existing air traffic control infrastructure and wireless networks. Instead of creating a completely separate dedicated network, the system integrates drone management capabilities into the existing ATC framework while leveraging available wireless networks for communication, thereby maintaining real-time reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components that bridge between drones, wireless networks, and the air traffic control system. These intermediaries handle protocol translation, data filtering, and communication management, allowing reliable real-time communication without requiring direct complex integration between all system components, thus reducing overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If autonomous flight control is implemented in drones, then communication efficiency is improved, but the requirement for real-time air traffic control coordination increases system operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having autonomous drones pre-coordinate their flight plans with the air traffic control system before departure. Drones submit intended flight paths, destinations, and timeframes in advance, allowing the ATC system to pre-process and approve routes without requiring continuous real-time coordination during flight. This maintains high flight operation efficiency while reducing operational complexity during actual drone flights.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes feedback mechanisms where autonomous drones periodically report their status, location, and intent to the air traffic control system, which responds with route approvals or corrections. This structured feedback loop enables autonomous operation efficiency while maintaining coordinated control, as the system only needs to process information at specific intervals rather than continuously, reducing operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods include communicating with a plurality of passenger drones via one or more wireless networks comprising at least one cellular network; receiving updates related to an obstruction status of each of a plurality of waypoints from a plurality of passenger drones, wherein the plurality of waypoints are defined over a geographic region under control of the ATC system; and managing flight paths, landing, and take-off of the plurality of passenger drones in the geographic region based on the obstruction status of each of the plurality of waypoints, wherein the plurality of waypoints each comprise a latitude and longitude coordinate defining a point about which an area is defined for covering a portion of the geographic region.