Ground Acoustic Sensor Array for UAV Airspace Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 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 when many UAVs transit the same corridor.
Innovation Solution
A ground-based terrestrial acoustic sensor array with multiple installations of microphones, processors, and GPS receivers that transmit signals to UAV control systems to prevent collisions by identifying aircraft type, calculating flight paths, and initiating evasive maneuvers or rerouting UAVs to avoid collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UAV-based acoustic detection systems are used to detect approaching aircraft, then collision detection capability is provided, but the size and weight of the UAV increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ground-based acoustic sensor installations as an intermediary system between the approaching aircraft and the UAV. These ground installations detect aircraft sounds and transmit position information to the UAV, eliminating the need for heavy acoustic detection equipment on the UAV itself while maintaining collision detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/acoustic detection system on the UAV with an electronic communication system. Instead of using microphones and acoustic processing equipment on the UAV, the system uses ground-based acoustic detection combined with electronic transmission of position data to the UAV
2Measurement precision
If UAV-based acoustic detection systems are used to distinguish aircraft sound from UAV self-noise, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground-based acoustic sensor installations serve as an intermediary that detects aircraft sounds without being affected by UAV self-noise. Since these ground installations are stationary and separate from the UAV, they can accurately detect approaching aircraft without the complexity of filtering out UAV-generated noise
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the detection function into two separate components: ground-based acoustic detection of approaching aircraft and UAV-based reception of position information. This segmentation eliminates the need for the UAV to perform complex acoustic signal processing and noise filtering
3Reliability
If UAV-based detection systems are deployed for multiple UAVs transiting the same corridor, then collision prevention is enhanced, but the system becomes overly complex and impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The ground-based acoustic sensor installations serve multiple UAVs simultaneously with a single detection system. Instead of each UAV having its own acoustic detection system, the universal ground-based system provides collision detection information to all UAVs transiting the corridor, reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the detection function for multiple UAVs into a single ground-based system. By combining the acoustic detection capability at the ground level and sharing the processed position information among multiple UAVs, the system avoids the complexity of having separate detection systems for each UAV
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 detecting and tracking aircraft, reducing UAV size and weight concerns, and scaling more practically with multiple UAVs, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and simplicity.
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.