Virtual Roadway Control for UAS Collision-Free Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air traffic control systems for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) face challenges in preventing collisions from route conflicts, managing beyond visual line of sight operations, and ensuring safe integration into low-altitude airspaces, with limitations in digitalization and efficient data exchange.
Innovation Solution
A control system with a layered structure comprising an application user layer, virtual roadway system, and UAS hardware layer, utilizing a machine learning processing unit for collision avoidance and routing, along with time-division multiplexing algorithms to manage multiple UAS movements efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centralized server system is used for UAS control, then airspace integration and safety management are improved, but system complexity and communication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments UAS control into multiple independent layers: application user layer, virtual roadway system layer, and UAS hardware layer. Each layer operates semi-independently with defined interfaces, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining centralized coordination for safety-critical functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual roadway system acts as an intermediary layer between the centralized server and individual UAS hardware. It handles route management and collision avoidance algorithms, reducing direct communication overhead between the server and numerous UAS while maintaining centralized safety management.
2Productivity
If multiple UAS operate in the same airspace simultaneously, then productivity and airspace utilization are improved, but collision risk and route conflicts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a virtual dimension (virtual roadway) overlaying the physical airspace. UAS are assigned to specific virtual roadways that represent approved flight paths, allowing multiple UAS to operate simultaneously in the same physical airspace while maintaining separation through virtual route management and collision avoidance algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual roadway system continuously receives position data from all UAS and dynamically adjusts routing decisions. Real-time feedback loops enable the system to detect potential conflicts and reassign UAS to alternative virtual roadways or time slots, maintaining high airspace utilization while preventing collisions.
3Productivity
If digitalization and automated routing are implemented, then operational efficiency is improved, but dependency on communication infrastructure increases
Solution Approach 1:
Routes are pre-planned and validated through the virtual roadway system before UAS deployment. UAS receive predetermined flight paths and navigation instructions in advance, reducing real-time communication requirements and enabling efficient automated operation while maintaining infrastructure dependency for initial route setup.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a control system for controlling unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The control system comprises of an application user system 102 to operate the UAS, an operating system 103, a virtual road system (VRS) 109 and a virtual packet 501. The virtual packet 501 created as a boundary around the UAS defined by application user system 102 or VRS 109. The operating system 103 includes a machine learning processing unit (MLPU) 104 configured for positioning the UAS, detecting collision within path of the virtual packet 901. The VRS 109 configured to generate a virtual roadway 902 using architecture similar to Internet service provider architecture and modules for routing the UAS. The routing and controlling of UAS by the VRS 109 is based on request received from the MLPU 104, application zone packet parameters and actual position co-ordinates received from the MLPU 104.