Operation-Aware Aerial Navigation System for BVLOS Drone Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack a cost-effective and lightweight solution for reliable Command and Control (C&C) communication for drones flying Beyond Visual Line Of Sight (BVLOS), which is essential for autonomous drone operations and meets varying requirements such as data rates, latency, and regulatory compliance across different drone applications.
Innovation Solution
An operation-aware aerial navigation system comprising a navigation server, navigation agent, and navigation client, which dynamically generates and updates a 3D geo-zoned map to ensure drones operate within communication and regulatory requirements, using a network of sub-modules for data aggregation, correlation, and route computation to optimize drone mobility and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If satellite communication is used for C&C, then communication reliability is improved, but device weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the communication task by using multiple cellular base stations instead of a single satellite link. Each base station handles a portion of the communication load, allowing the drone to maintain reliable C&C through handovers between stations while using lightweight cellular modems rather than heavy satellite equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The cellular communication system serves multiple functions: it provides both Command and Control (C&C) capabilities and payload data transmission. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate satellite equipment for different communication needs, reducing overall system weight while maintaining reliability through the existing cellular infrastructure
2Weight of moving object
If cellular communication is used for C&C, then device weight is reduced, but communication coverage and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically manages communication by continuously monitoring signal strength and automatically performing handovers between base stations as the drone moves. This dynamic adaptation ensures continuous reliable coverage throughout the flight path, compensating for the limited coverage of individual cellular stations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication management system that acts as an intermediary between the drone and multiple base stations. This mediator coordinates handovers, selects optimal stations, and manages connection transitions to maintain continuous reliable communication coverage across the entire operational area
3Productivity
If autonomous navigation is implemented, then operational efficiency is improved, but communication requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-planning flight routes and pre-establishing communication parameters before autonomous navigation begins. The navigation server calculates optimal paths considering communication coverage zones in advance, and the drone is pre-configured with navigation algorithms, reducing real-time computational complexity during autonomous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where the drone reports its position and communication status to the navigation server, which adjusts the autonomous navigation parameters in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables simple autonomous navigation by correcting deviations rather than requiring complex real-time path recalculation
4Adaptability or versatility
If operation-specific requirements are met, then application versatility is improved, but system complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves operation-specific requirements by dynamically changing communication parameters such as data rate, latency thresholds, and payload transmission priorities based on the selected operation type. The navigation server adjusts these parameters automatically when the operation mode is changed, providing versatility without requiring complex manual reconfiguration of the drone system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention refers to an operation-aware aerial navigation system comprising as modules at least one navigation server (100), one navigation agent (130) and one navigation client (120), each module consisting of several sub-modules, wherein the navigation server (100) is configured to aggregate and correlate multiple data received from different data sources (150) and from a navigation client (120), and to dynamically provide to a drone operator a geo-zoned map based on the aggregated and correlated data; the navigation agent (130) is running on a drone and configured to master steering of the drone; the navigation client (120) is running locally by the drone operator and acting as interface between the drone operator, the navigation server (100) and the navigation agent (130) running on the drone and configured to compute and update a route for the drone that is involved in the operation, based on the geo-zoned map, feedback from the navigation agent (130) and an initial input of the drone operator. Further, the present invention provides a respective method to fly at least one drone beyond visual line of sight by using the claimed system.