Evasive Maneuver Recommendation Using Approach Rate Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current collision avoidance systems, such as TCAS, require transponder data and are costly and complex, making them unsuitable for light drones and small aircraft, which often lack the necessary equipment, and are inefficient in calculating evasive maneuvers without high sensor performance and processing speed.

Innovation Solution

A method using on-board sensors to measure the rate of approach between vehicles and perform measurement maneuvers to determine if an evasive maneuver is needed, with recommendations based on changes in closing rates, allowing for evasive actions without transponder data and reducing complexity and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If transponder data and established collision avoidance systems (TCAS) are used, then collision avoidance capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision avoidance capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential collision avoidance functionality from complex transponder-based systems by using only basic sensor data (range and range rate measurements) that can be obtained from simple onboard sensors. This removes the dependency on transponders and complex data processing while retaining the core safety function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs inexpensive, readily available sensors (radar, sonar, or laser sensors) instead of expensive transponder equipment. These simple sensors provide sufficient data for collision avoidance calculations without requiring the complex infrastructure of established systems like TCAS.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Measurement precision

If high sensor performance and processing speed are required for accurate maneuver calculations, then collision avoidance accuracy is improved, but cost and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaneuver calculation accuracyVSAvoidsensor performance requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses partial action by measuring only two essential parameters (range and range rate) instead of requiring full six-degree-of-freedom sensor data. This partial measurement approach provides sufficient information for collision avoidance maneuvers without the need for high-performance, complex sensor systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameters from complex multi-dimensional sensor data to simple scalar measurements of range and range rate. This parameter transformation simplifies the data processing requirements and reduces the performance specifications needed for sensors while maintaining adequate calculation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If transponder equipment is mandatory for collision avoidance systems, then safety capability is improved, but adaptability to light drones and small aircraft is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety capabilityVSAvoidapplicability to different vehicle types
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a universal collision avoidance system that can be applied to any vehicle type (light drones, small aircraft, boats) using common onboard sensors. The system eliminates vehicle-specific requirements by using fundamental physical measurements that are independent of the platform, making it broadly adaptable across different applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables cost-effective and simplified determination of avoidance recommendations for vehicles without transponder data, providing real-time evasive maneuvers that can be executed immediately, improving safety and reducing unnecessary course changes by using radar, sonar, or laser sensors to measure approach rates and adjust flight paths accordingly.

Implementation Method 1

To determine the rates of approach ṙ a radar, sonar or laser sensor is advantageously used

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Implementation Method 2

To determine the rates of approach ṙ a radar, sonar or laser sensor is advantageously used

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSonar: Sonar

Implementation Method 3

To determine the rates of approach ṙ a radar, sonar or laser sensor is advantageously used

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP3159868B1Method for producing a dodge recommendation for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.03.14 HENSOLDT SENSORS GMBH
  • EP3159868B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3159868B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3159868B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining an evasive maneuver recommendation for a first vehicle (A) when encountering a second, non-cooperative vehicle (B), wherein vehicle (B) is moving at a constant speed. The invention comprises the following method steps: - measuring the approach rate ṙ0 between the two vehicles (A, B) using a sensor on board the first vehicle (A), - performing a measurement maneuver of the first vehicle (A), including a change of direction, - measuring the approach rate ṙ1 between the two vehicles (A, B) again after the change of direction, - comparing the approach rates ṙ0 and ṙ1 using an electronic processing unit on board the first vehicle (A), and - outputting a recommendation for the first vehicle (A) to perform an evasive maneuver depending on ṙ1.