Landing Flight Control Using Sensor Fusion for Unsafe Descent Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Urban air mobility (UAM) presents challenges in safely and efficiently landing vehicles due to space restrictions, traffic, and noise limitations, requiring effective communication and confirmation of safe landing zones.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for computing flight controls using sensor data fusion, incorporating a multi-sensor and navigation suite that includes radar, camera, AHRS, and GPS systems to confirm landing zone clearance and adjust descent paths as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensor systems are used to detect unsafe conditions, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the safety detection function into multiple independent sensor systems (radar, camera, AHRS, GPS), each responsible for detecting specific aspects of the landing environment. This segmentation allows comprehensive safety monitoring while maintaining modularity, making the complex system easier to manage and validate for certification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges data from multiple sensor systems through sensor fusion algorithms to create a unified safety assessment. By combining radar data (for obstacle detection), camera data (for visual confirmation), AHRS (for attitude and heading), and GPS (for position), the system achieves enhanced reliability while managing complexity through integrated processing.
2Reliability
If real-time sensor data analysis is performed to detect unsafe conditions, then landing safety is improved, but processing time and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of sensor data continuously during the approach phase, before critical decision points are reached. By continuously processing radar, camera, AHRS, and GPS data in real-time, the system prepares safety assessments in advance, allowing rapid response when unsafe conditions are detected without delaying the landing sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback loops where sensor data is continuously analyzed and fed back to the flight control system. This feedback mechanism allows dynamic adjustment of the descent path based on current safety conditions, with the processing optimized to provide timely responses within the critical landing timeframe.
3Reliability
If flight controls are dynamically adjusted based on sensor analysis, then landing safety is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flight control system dynamically adjusts control parameters based on real-time sensor analysis results. The system transitions from static pre-programmed landing procedures to adaptive control that responds to detected unsafe conditions, modifying descent rate, heading, and vertical speed as needed while maintaining manageable complexity through structured control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates autonomous decision-making capabilities where the flight control computer automatically processes sensor data and adjusts flight controls without pilot intervention. This self-service approach enhances safety by eliminating human reaction time delays while keeping the control logic encapsulated in software that can be validated and certified.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for landing a vehicle. For instance, the method may include: before a descent transition point, receiving from a service a landing zone confirmation including landing zone location information and an indication that a landing zone is clear; determining a landing flight path based on the landing zone location information; and upon the vehicle starting a descent to the landing zone using the landing flight path: receiving landing zone data from at least one of a radar system, a camera system, an altitude and heading reference system (AHRS), and a GPS system; performing an analysis based on the landing zone data to determine whether an unsafe condition exists; and based on the analysis, computing flight controls for the vehicle to continue the descent or modify the descent.