UAV Automatic Calibration via Hover Rotation Sequence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing manual calibration processes for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) require human intervention, posing risks to operators, limiting automatic take-off and long-term monitoring capabilities, and being susceptible to human error and increased deployment time.

Innovation Solution

An unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a calibration control system that initiates automatic calibration through a hover mode and calibration rotation sequence, using sensors like magnetic sensors to calculate calibration parameters and update measurement values, allowing for autonomous operation and communication of calibration data to a control station.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual calibration process is used, then user can perform calibration, but user safety is compromised due to exposure to hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoiduser safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The UAV performs calibration autonomously without human intervention. The calibration control initiates automatic calibration sequences where the UAV rotates itself and collects sensor data, eliminating the need for users to physically handle or rotate the UAV, thus protecting users from hazards while maintaining calibration accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical rotation with automated flight control sequences. The calibration rotation sequence is executed through electronic control signals that automatically rotate the UAV to required orientations, substituting human mechanical action with automated electronic control systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If manual calibration is required, then calibration can be performed, but take-off automation is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetake-off automationVSAvoidcalibration operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the calibration operation with the take-off sequence. The calibration control is integrated into the flight control system such that calibration is automatically executed as part of the take-off process, eliminating the need for separate manual calibration steps and enabling full automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If manual calibration is used, then calibration can be performed, but deployment time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment speedVSAvoidcalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration is performed automatically and preliminarily during the take-off sequence before the UAV begins its operational mission. This preliminary automatic calibration eliminates post-take-off calibration steps and reduces overall deployment time while ensuring calibration is completed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration process is executed continuously during the take-off maneuver without interrupting the overall deployment flow. The UAV performs calibration rotations and data collection as a continuous automated sequence, eliminating idle time and manual intervention delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Reliability

If user performs calibration, then calibration can be completed, but human error occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoidcalibration precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration system incorporates automated feedback mechanisms where sensor data is continuously collected during rotation sequences and processed by calibration algorithms. The system monitors and adjusts calibration parameters based on real-time sensor feedback, eliminating human error in data collection and processing while maintaining high precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10747236B2Systems and processes for calibrating unmanned aerial vehicles

Publication Date: 2020.08.18 AERYON LABS

AI summary

An unmanned aerial vehicle and process for automatically calibrating the unmanned aerial vehicle having at least one magnetic sensor is described. The calibration process involves receiving an internal or external control command to initiate a take-off process by the unmanned aerial vehicle. A hover mode maintains the unmanned aerial vehicle at hover position, and a calibration rotation sequence rotates the unmanned aerial vehicle. The calibration process further involves receiving measurement data from sensors of the unmanned aerial vehicle during the calibration rotation sequence and calculating calibration parameters using the measurement data. The calibration process may implement corrections using the calibration parameters.