Graphical Mission Planning for Autonomous Unmanned Asset Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems require detailed manual input from commanders to control unmanned assets, such as UAVs, which is inefficient and diverts attention from operating manned assets, especially in combined manned-unmanned operations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for controlling unmanned assets that allows commanders to input high-level instructions via graphical inputs, which are translated into specific journey plans for each asset, considering environmental and asset-specific constraints, and communicated via a communications module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If detailed manual journey plans are calculated and instructed for each unmanned asset, then the unmanned asset can be precisely controlled, but the commander's time and attention are excessively consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The unmanned asset performs self-positioning and self-navigation by autonomously determining its location using GPS receivers and calculating its position relative to the journey plan waypoints, eliminating the need for continuous manual direction from the commander
Solution Approach 2:
The journey plan is pre-calculated with specific waypoints, altitudes, and headings before the flight begins, allowing the unmanned asset to automatically follow the predetermined route without requiring real-time manual intervention
2Ease of operation
If commanders manually plot detailed flight plans for each unmanned asset, then precise control is achieved, but the commander cannot focus on operating their own manned asset
Solution Approach 1:
The unmanned asset autonomously monitors its own position, compares it with the journey plan waypoints, and automatically navigates to the next waypoint without requiring continuous manual input from the commander
Solution Approach 2:
The complete journey plan including all waypoints, altitudes, and headings is pre-calculated before deployment, enabling the unmanned asset to execute the mission autonomously while the commander focuses on manned asset operations
3Ease of operation
If high-level graphical instructions are accepted from commanders, then the command process is simplified, but detailed journey plan generation requires automated processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an automated journey plan calculation module that acts as an intermediary, translating simple graphical commands from the commander into detailed navigational instructions with specific waypoints, altitudes, and headings
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the manual mechanical process of plotting detailed flight plans with an automated computational process that generates journey plans using GPS coordinates, altitudes, and navigational algorithms
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
A system (1) for controlling operation of unmanned assets (15). The system (1) includes a graphical user interface (3) displaying a map. The graphical user interface (3) accepts graphical inputs drawn on the map. The system (1) also includes a calculation unit (5) having an input interpretation module (7) that recognises the graphical inputs and translates the graphical inputs into tasks and/or commands. The calculation unit (5) also includes an operation planning module (9) that generates operation instructions based on the tasks and/or commands; and a journey planning module (11) that generates a journey plan for the unmanned assets (15) based on the operation instructions. The system (1) also includes a communications module (13) that communicates with the unmanned assets (15) to instruct the unmanned assets (15) to operate according to the generated journey plan.