Low-Latency Cross-Reference Navigation for GNSS-Degraded UAM

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Solution Overview

Problem

UAM vehicles face challenges in maintaining navigation and radar systems due to limited GNSS and radar availability, signal degradation, and onboard system failures, which can compromise safety and operation.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a supplemental navigation system using low latency communication networks to cross-reference positional data from nearby vehicles and infrastructure, utilizing beacon triangulation and digital adaptive phased array radars to maintain navigation even when onboard systems fail.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an exclusive secondary navigation system is hosted onboard a UAM vehicle, then navigation reliability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple navigation data sources (GNSS, radar, onboard sensors, and external infrastructure) into a single integrated navigation system. This merging approach provides redundant navigation capabilities without requiring a complete separate secondary system, thereby improving reliability while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The navigation system is designed to perform multiple functions by accepting and processing data from diverse sources including satellite-based GNSS, ground-based radar, onboard sensors, and external infrastructure. This multi-functionality allows a single system to provide primary and secondary navigation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If an exclusive secondary navigation system is hosted onboard a UAM vehicle, then navigation reliability is improved, but payload capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation reliabilityVSAvoidpayload capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If an exclusive secondary navigation system is hosted onboard a UAM vehicle, then navigation reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If onboard GNSS experiences failure, then navigation reliability is compromised, but the vehicle must maintain situational awareness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation availabilityVSAvoidsignal degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system preliminarily establishes multiple independent navigation data sources and processing pathways before GNSS failure occurs. This includes configuring external infrastructure, onboard sensors, and alternative navigation methods in advance, so that when GNSS fails, the system can immediately switch to alternative sources without compromising situational awareness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by preparing redundant navigation capabilities through external infrastructure and onboard sensors prior to any failure event. This cushioning ensures that when GNSS signal degradation or failure occurs, the vehicle maintains navigation reliability through pre-configured alternative sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP3968056B1Systems and methods for cross-reference navigation using low latency communications

Publication Date: 2025.10.01 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

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AI summary

Disclosed are methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for vehicle navigation processing. For instance, the method may include scanning for one or more terminals (111-117, 122, 124, 131-133) within a predetermined vicinity of the vehicle (131-133) via a low latency communication network and receiving positional data of the one or more terminals via the low latency communication network. The method may further include receiving directional data of the one or more terminals relative to the vehicle, determining a first location of the vehicle relative to the one or more terminals based on the directional data, and determining a second location of the vehicle relative to the environment based on the positional data and the first location.