Dual-Technology Transponder for Autonomous Aerial Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous aerial vehicles (AAVs) face challenges in implementing ADS-B-compliant onboard systems due to size, weight, and power constraints, as well as the lack of RF line-of-sight to ground stations, which limits their ability to reliably transmit and receive tracking information.
Innovation Solution
A low-power, dual-technology transponder system that alternates between UAT and 1090ES transmission technologies, enabling AAVs to broadcast and receive tracking messages in a ping-pong fashion, allowing them to operate within reduced power, size, and weight specifications, thereby overcoming the limitations of conventional systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ADS-B systems use single-technology transponders (UAT or 1090ES), then the system meets size and power requirements, but the aircraft cannot reliably transmit and receive tracking information without RF line-of-sight to ground stations
Solution Approach 1:
The transponder is designed to support both UAT and 1090ES transmission technologies within a single device, enabling it to function as a universal ADS-B transponder. This multi-functionality allows the aircraft to communicate with both UAT and 1090ES ground stations and other aircraft, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability by making the system compatible with multiple transmission technologies simultaneously
2Adaptability or versatility
If the transponder broadcasts on both UAT and 1090ES simultaneously, then compatibility with all aircraft is achieved, but power consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transponder implements periodic alternating transmission between UAT and 1090ES technologies rather than simultaneous transmission. The system cycles through different transmission technologies at regular intervals, allowing it to maintain compatibility with all aircraft types while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous dual-technology broadcasting
3Use of energy by moving object
If the transponder uses alternating ping-pong transmission between UAT and 1090ES, then power consumption is reduced, but the transmission continuity may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The ping-pong transmission mechanism is designed to maintain continuous useful action by rapidly alternating between UAT and 1090ES technologies in a coordinated manner. The alternating transmission cycles are optimized to ensure that tracking information is continuously broadcast without significant gaps, maintaining reliability while keeping power consumption low through the periodic action principle
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for dual-technology air traffic tracking are disclosed. An autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV) may include a low-power dual-technology transponder configured for transmitting real-time tracking data of the AAV in outbound tracking messages, using both first and second transmission technologies specified for operation within a common flight tracking system. The AAV may further include a global positioning satellite (GPS) system, one or more processors, and memory storing instructions for carrying out dual-technology tracking. Operations may include determining real-time tracking data of the AAV from the GPS system, and broadcasting outbound tracking messages alternatingly in time using the first and second technologies in ping-pong fashion, the outbound tracking messages including the determined real-time tracking data and an identifier of the AAV. The tracking data may include location of the AAV. In an example embodiment, the common tracking system may be ADS-B and the two technologies may be 1090ES and UAT.