UAS Collision Avoidance via Relative Velocity CPA
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) lack the ability to automatically emulate right-of-way rules, relying on remote operators for safe separation from other aircraft, which is inadequate in high-traffic airspace due to the absence of onboard crew judgment.
Innovation Solution
A system that monitors separation distances and determines evasive maneuvers, such as turns, based on the closest point of approach and relative velocities of intruder aircraft to maintain safe separation, emulating right-of-way rules through electronic systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If remote operators manually monitor and control UAS to maintain safe separation, then operational flexibility is maintained, but safety and reliability deteriorate in high-traffic airspace due to absence of automated judgment
Solution Approach 1:
The UAS autonomously performs collision avoidance maneuvers by automatically determining CPA, evaluating turn options, selecting optimal maneuvers, and executing flight path modifications without requiring remote operator intervention. The system serves itself by integrating sensor data processing, decision-making algorithms, and flight control execution into a self-contained automated safety system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of remote human judgment and manual control with an electronic-based automated system that uses sensors, processors, and algorithms to detect intruder aircraft, calculate CPA, evaluate maneuver options, and execute collision avoidance actions. This substitution enables reliable automated judgment in high-traffic airspace.
2Reliability
If automated systems are implemented to determine evasive maneuvers, then safety and reliability improve, but device complexity increases due to electronic-based decision-making systems
Solution Approach 1:
The automated collision avoidance system is segmented into distinct functional modules: intruder detection module, CPA calculation module, maneuver evaluation module, decision-making module, and flight control execution module. Each module performs a specific function, making the overall complex system manageable through functional decomposition and independent development of each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic-based system performs multiple functions within a single integrated platform: it detects intruder aircraft, calculates CPA, evaluates multiple turn options, selects optimal maneuvers, and executes flight path modifications. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems while maintaining comprehensive collision avoidance capability.
3Loss of time
If UAS autonomously determines and executes evasive maneuvers, then response time and safety improve, but loss of operator control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously calculates CPA and pre-evaluates multiple maneuver options before collision threats materialize. By preparing decision frameworks and maneuver selections in advance, the system enables immediate execution of appropriate evasive actions when intruder aircraft are detected, eliminating decision delays while maintaining operator awareness of pre-planned responses.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are operable maintain a proscribed Self Separation distance between an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and an object. In an example system, consecutive intruder aircraft locations relative to corresponding locations of a self aircraft are determined, wherein the determining is based on current velocities of the intruder aircraft and the self aircraft, and wherein the determining is based on current flight paths of the intruder aircraft and the self aircraft. At least one evasive maneuver for the self aircraft is computed using a processing system based on the determined consecutive intruder aircraft locations relative to the corresponding locations of the self aircraft.