UAS Position Reporting via ATC-RS and ADS-B Transceivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in effectively reporting the position of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to air traffic control systems, particularly due to their speed and small size, which complicates collision avoidance for manned aircraft, often requiring operation in 'sterilized' airspace cleared of manned traffic.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an air traffic control reporting system (ATC-RS) coupled with a ground control station (GCS) that uses automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) and traffic information services broadcast (TIS-B) transceivers, along with telecommunication modems, to communicate UAS positions to civilian or military command centers, enabling real-time position updates and voice communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If visual and radar techniques are used to detect UAS, then detection capability is provided, but collision avoidance becomes difficult due to speed and small size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system between UAS and air traffic control. The UAS equips itself with a reporting system that includes a transceiver and communication module, serving as an intermediary to convey position data to ATC centers, thereby resolving the detection-avoidance contradiction through active information sharing rather than passive detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where UAS continuously report their position data to air traffic control centers, and ATC receives real-time information about UAS locations. This feedback mechanism enables ATC to provide guidance and coordination, improving collision avoidance while maintaining detection capability.
2Reliability
If UAS operate in sterilized airspace, then collision risk with manned aircraft is reduced, but operational flexibility and airspace utilization are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The reporting system enables UAS to operate universally in shared airspace with manned aircraft by providing standardized position data communication. The system can interface with both civilian ATC and military C2 centers, allowing UAS to flexibly operate across different airspace domains while maintaining safety through transparent position reporting.
3Reliability
If real-time position data is communicated to ATC, then collision avoidance is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UAS reporting system is designed to be self-contained, with the UAS equipping itself with the necessary transceiver and communication modules. The system automatically collects position data from the UAS and transmits it to ATC without requiring complex external infrastructure or manual intervention, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining real-time communication capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An unmanned aerial system (UAS) position reporting system may include an air traffic control reporting system (ATC-RS) coupled with a ground control station (GCS) of a UAS and at least one remote terminal. The ATC-RS may include an automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) and traffic information services broadcast (TIS-B) transceiver and one or more telecommunications modems. The ATC-RS may receive position data of at least one UAS in an airspace from the GCS and the at least one remote terminal and selectively communicate the position of the at least one UAS in the airspace to a civilian air traffic control center (ATC), to a military command and control (C2) communication center, or to both through the ADS-B and TIS-B transceiver. The ATC-RS may display the position of the at least one UAS in the airspace on a display screen coupled with the ATC-RS.