Ground Acoustic Array for Multi-UAV Aircraft Collision Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UAV-based acoustic collision detection systems are cumbersome, complex, and impractical for multiple UAVs sharing the same airspace, as they require distinguishing aircraft sounds from UAV self-noise and become overly complex with increased UAV traffic.
Innovation Solution
A terrestrial acoustic sensor array comprising ground-based installations with microphones, processors, and GPS receivers that detect and identify aircraft, calculate flight paths, and transmit signals to UAV control systems to prevent collisions, using a network link and cloud computing for data processing and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UAV-based acoustic collision detection systems are used, then collision detection capability is provided, but the size and weight of the UAV increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the collision detection function into two separate components: (1) ground-based acoustic sensor installations that remain stationary and provide the detection capability, and (2) UAVs that receive alert signals without carrying heavy acoustic sensors. This segmentation allows collision detection capability to be provided while keeping UAV weight minimal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ground-based acoustic sensor installations as an intermediary between the approaching aircraft and the UAV. These ground installations detect aircraft sounds and transmit alerts to UAVs, eliminating the need for UAVs to carry their own acoustic detection equipment, thus reducing UAV weight while maintaining detection capability.
2Reliability
If UAV-based acoustic collision detection systems are used, then collision detection is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments complexity by placing all acoustic sensor arrays, signal processing equipment, and detection algorithms in ground-based installations rather than on UAVs. UAVs become simple receivers of alert signals, dramatically reducing their system complexity while the ground infrastructure handles all complex detection functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex acoustic detection and processing subsystems from the UAV platform and relocates them to ground-based installations. This extraction eliminates the need for UAVs to process acoustic signals locally, reducing onboard computing requirements and system complexity on the moving platform while maintaining full detection capability through ground-based processing.
3Reliability
If UAV-based acoustic collision detection systems are used, then single UAV collision detection is possible, but the system becomes overly complex for multiple UAVs
Solution Approach 1:
The ground-based acoustic sensor installations serve as a universal detection infrastructure that can monitor and alert multiple UAVs simultaneously. A single ground installation can provide collision detection services to numerous UAVs in the area, eliminating the need for each UAV to have independent detection systems and reducing overall system complexity for multi-UAV operations.
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
The system effectively prevents airspace collisions by accurately identifying aircraft and calculating flight paths, allowing UAVs to avoid manned aircraft without increasing UAV size or weight, and is scalable for multiple UAV operations.
Implementation Method 1
acoustic sensor installations, each of the acoustic sensor installations including a sub-array of microphones... detecting an aircraft based on sensor data collected from the microphones
Data Source
AI summary
A terrestrial acoustic sensor array for detecting and preventing airspace collision with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a plurality of ground-based acoustic sensor installations, each of the acoustic sensor installations including a sub-array of microphones. The terrestrial acoustic sensor array may further include a processor for detecting an aircraft based on sensor data collected from the microphones of at least one of the plurality of acoustic sensor installations and a network link for transmitting a signal based on the detection of the aircraft to a control system of the UAV.