UAV Altitude Control via Directional Table Lookup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collision avoidance systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are inefficient due to the need for extensive data processing and multiple sensors, increasing manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method where UAVs determine their flight altitude based on a pre-defined table correlating travel direction with altitude ranges, using onboard sensors and GPS to adjust altitude if necessary to avoid collisions, reducing the need for extensive data processing and multiple sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing collision avoidance systems use extensive data processing and multiple sensors, then collision detection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential altitude parameter from complex collision avoidance data processing, using a simple table lookup based on travel direction to determine safe altitude ranges. This eliminates the need for multiple sensors and extensive data processing while maintaining collision avoidance effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from processing multiple complex parameters to using a single altitude parameter determined by table lookup based on travel direction. This parameter simplification reduces computational complexity and sensor requirements while maintaining safety.
2Measurement precision
If existing collision avoidance systems process extensive data in real-time, then collision response accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-defining altitude ranges for different travel directions in a table before flight operations. During actual flight, the system only needs to perform a simple table lookup based on current travel direction, eliminating the need for real-time complex data processing and significantly reducing computational latency.
3Productivity
If UAVs fly at the same altitude regardless of direction, then flight efficiency is improved, but collision risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces directional dimension to altitude selection, where altitude ranges are determined not just by flight path but specifically by travel direction (e.g., north, south, east, west). This dimensional differentiation allows efficient altitude utilization while reducing collision risk between UAVs traveling in different directions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an aerial vehicle includes determining a direction in which the aerial vehicle is traveling; determining, with reference to a table, an altitude range which corresponds to the determined direction and within which the aerial vehicle is caused to fly, the table indicating correspondences between directions in which the aerial vehicle is traveling and altitude ranges within which the aerial vehicle is to fly; obtaining, from an altimeter, a first altitude, which is a current altitude, at which the aerial vehicle is flying; determining whether the first altitude is included in the determined altitude range; and if it is determined that the first altitude is not included in the determined altitude range, changing an altitude at which the aerial vehicle is caused to fly from the first altitude to a second altitude included in the determined altitude range.