UAV Altitude Control Using Terrain-Relative Flight Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current altitude restrictions for UAVs are often inflexible and do not account for varying terrain or ground levels, leading to potential safety issues and compliance problems, as they are based on fixed reference levels like sea level without considering local elevations or complex terrains.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for dynamically adjusting altitude restrictions based on real-time elevation information and sensor data, allowing UAVs to modify their flight altitude relative to ground level, ensuring compliance with regulations and avoiding obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed altitude restrictions based on sea level are used, then compliance with air traffic control regulations is simplified, but the UAV may encroach upon controlled airspace or fail to reach allowed heights in areas with varying terrain elevation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic altitude restrictions that automatically adjust based on real-time GPS location and terrain elevation data. The system transitions from static fixed-altitude limits to dynamic terrain-relative limits, allowing the UAV to fly higher above ground level in high-altitude areas while maintaining compliance in low-altitude areas. This resolves the contradiction by making the altitude restriction system adaptable to varying terrain without requiring complex manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the UAV's GPS position, retrieves terrain elevation data from databases or sensors, and automatically adjusts the altitude restrictions accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the UAV maintains proper clearance from controlled airspace while maximizing flight altitude above ground level, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity through automated feedback-driven adjustment.
2Reliability
If altitude restrictions are set relative to ground level, then the UAV can fly appropriate distances above terrain, but the system must continuously account for terrain elevation and altitude gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary terrain elevation database or elevation sensor system that mediates between the UAV's position and the altitude restriction calculation. Rather than directly computing complex terrain relationships, the system uses this intermediary layer to provide ready-to-use elevation data, simplifying the reliability-critical calculations while maintaining safety through continuous terrain awareness.
3Reliability
If remote controller fails, the UAV may continue flying upwards, but imposing strict altitude limits may restrict legitimate flight operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures altitude restrictions and safety protocols before flight operations begin. By establishing terrain-relative altitude limits in advance and loading them into the UAV's flight controller, the system ensures that even if the remote controller fails, the UAV cannot exceed predetermined safe altitudes. This preliminary action protects against failure while maintaining operational flexibility within the established boundaries.
Data Source
AI summary
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a vehicle body, one or more propulsion units coupled to the vehicle body and configured to effect movement of the UAV, and one or more processors coupled to the one or more propulsion units and individually or collectively configured to receive one or more sets of altitude restrictions for the UAV, receive location information indicating a current location of the UAV, determine a priority of the one or more sets of altitude restrictions by which the UAV abides based on the location information, select a set from the one or more sets of altitude restrictions based on the determined priority, and generate control signals to control the one or more propulsion units such that the UAV is operated in compliance with the selected set of altitude restrictions.