UAV Collision Avoidance Using Phased Array Radar Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges in safely navigating shared airspaces with commercial or military aircraft, requiring effective collision avoidance systems to meet regulatory safety standards.
Innovation Solution
A collision avoidance system for UAVs incorporating phased array radar sensors configured to scan for objects within a preselected range, using multiple hypothesis tracking to determine necessary flight path changes, and transmitting maneuver information to flight control circuitry via wireless communication, with radar sensors positioned for comprehensive coverage and integrated with processing circuitry for real-time situational awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple radar sensors are used to scan for objects in all directions, then detection coverage and safety are improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the detection task into multiple independent radar sensors positioned at different locations on the UAV. Each radar sensor is responsible for scanning a specific sector, and the processing circuitry integrates data from all sensors to achieve comprehensive 4-pi steradian coverage. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high reliability through distributed sensing while managing complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing circuitry performs multiple functions: it receives scan information from all radar sensors, executes collision avoidance algorithms to detect potential threats, determines appropriate maneuvers, and sends control signals to the flight control circuitry. This multi-functional design consolidates what could be separate systems into a single integrated unit, improving reliability while controlling overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If radar sensors are positioned at multiple locations for comprehensive coverage, then detection capability is improved, but UAV weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single heavy radar system, the detection function is segmented into multiple lightweight radar sensors distributed around the UAV. Each sensor covers a specific angular sector, and together they provide complete 4-pi steradian coverage. This segmentation reduces the weight of individual components while maintaining or improving overall detection capability through distributed sensing.
3Reliability
If real-time scan information processing is performed to determine maneuver information, then collision avoidance effectiveness is improved, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The processing circuitry continuously receives and processes scan information from radar sensors in real-time, maintaining an updated situational awareness of the environment. By continuously processing data rather than reacting to discrete events, the system prepares maneuver decisions in advance when threats are detected, reducing the critical response time needed during actual collision avoidance scenarios.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables safe UAV navigation by detecting and avoiding other aircraft, ensuring compliance with safety requirements through accurate detection and timely maneuver instructions, with the added benefit of reduced weight and efficient communication protocols.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of radar sensors configured to scan for objects within a preselected range of the UAV
Implementation Method 2
each of the plurality of radar sensors is configured to operate as a phased array
Implementation Method 3
a reception unit receiving signals reflected by an aerial target
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for collision avoidance in unmanned aerial vehicles are provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for collision avoidance system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method including scanning for objects within a preselected range of the UAV using a plurality of phased array radar sensors, receiving scan information from each of the plurality of phased array radar sensors, wherein the scan information includes information indicative of objects detected within the preselected range of the UAV, determining maneuver information including whether to change a flight path of the UAV based on the scan information, and sending the maneuver information to a flight control circuitry of the UAV.