Dynamic Visibility Map for Sensor Platform Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for persistent surveillance using sensor platforms, such as UAVs, face challenges in maintaining maximal line-of-sight and collective visibility over an area of interest due to terrain or urban features, and are limited by predetermined search patterns that restrict surveillance duration and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic visibility map is created and updated in real-time to control the routing of sensor platforms, ensuring the highest collective visibility of the area of interest by identifying optimal positions and adjusting routes based on changing visibility conditions, allowing for indefinite surveillance and dynamic platform addition or removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If predetermined search patterns are used for coordinating sensor platforms, then the surveillance follows a definite time schedule, but the surveillance duration is constrained and flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static predetermined search patterns to dynamic coordination based on real-time visibility maps. The sensor platforms' routes and surveillance duration are continuously adjusted according to changing visibility conditions, allowing the system to adapt to terrain features, urban obstacles, and platform availability dynamically rather than following fixed schedules
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of surveillance coordination from fixed temporal patterns to spatial-visibility-based patterns. By using visibility maps that represent line-of-sight conditions to areas of interest, the system adjusts platform positioning and surveillance duration based on actual visibility parameters rather than predetermined time schedules
2Productivity
If sensor platforms are positioned to cover an area of interest, then surveillance is performed, but terrain and urban features obstruct the line of sight reducing visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously updating visibility maps based on sensor platform positions and terrain/urban features. The visibility maps provide real-time information about line-of-sight conditions, allowing the coordination system to adjust platform positions to maintain or improve surveillance coverage despite obstructions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses line-of-sight obstructions by utilizing the vertical dimension through aerial positioning of sensor platforms. By operating from elevated positions (drones, balloons, airships), the system transcends ground-level obstructions such as terrain features and urban structures, achieving surveillance coverage that would be impossible from ground level
3Device complexity
If fixed search patterns are used, then coordination is simple, but sensor platforms cannot join or leave the group dynamically
Solution Approach 1:
The coordination system is made dynamic by calculating optimal routes based on current visibility maps rather than following fixed patterns. This allows platforms to be added or removed from the surveillance group at any time, as the system continuously recalculates positioning and routing to maintain optimal collective visibility, accommodating changing platform availability without requiring predetermined schedules
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for controlling a set of sensor platforms. The apparatus comprises a map manager and a controller. The manager creates a visibility map for an area of interest for a set of sensor platforms. The map manager further updates the visibility map over time while the set of sensor platforms monitors the area of interest. The controller controls a route of each of the set of sensor platforms using the visibility map.