UAV Contingency Landing Using Multi-Layer Flight Boundaries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face safety risks when deviating from their mission paths due to communication or navigation signal blockages, environmental obstacles, or other contingencies, necessitating an effective system to determine when to execute a safe contingency landing.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising sensors and a command module that tracks the UAV's position relative to multidimensional boundaries, instructing it to land at predetermined sites or immediately if it breaches safety boundaries, ensuring safe landing procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the UAV follows a nominal mission plan, then mission efficiency is improved, but safety is worsened when communication or navigation signals are blocked or environmental obstacles are encountered
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes multiple boundary layers (first boundary, second boundary, third boundary) around the nominal mission path before flight. These boundaries are predetermined safe zones that guide the UAV's contingency actions. When the UAV deviates from the nominal path, it automatically transitions to the nearest boundary layer for safe operation, eliminating the need for real-time complex decision-making and ensuring safety without compromising mission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The safe operating space is segmented into multiple hierarchical boundary layers: a first boundary closest to the nominal path, a second boundary surrounding the first, and a third boundary surrounding the second. This segmentation allows the UAV to operate at different safety levels depending on the severity of deviation, enabling progressive contingency responses rather than immediate emergency landing, thus maintaining mission efficiency while ensuring safety.
2Reliability
If the UAV veers off course to avoid air or terrain conflicts, then safety is improved, but mission plan compliance is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The boundary layers are dynamically adjustable and can be reconfigured during flight based on real-time environmental conditions, UAV state, and mission requirements. The system can expand or contract boundary radii, shift boundary centers, or add/remove boundary layers as needed, allowing the UAV to adapt its safe operating space dynamically while maintaining mission plan compliance and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the UAV's position relative to the nominal mission path and boundary layers, providing real-time feedback. When the UAV approaches or exceeds boundary limits, the system automatically adjusts the boundary configuration or triggers contingency procedures, ensuring the UAV remains within safe operating parameters while minimizing deviation from the mission plan.
3Reliability
If multiple boundary layers are established for contingency landing, then safety is improved, but system complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV system autonomously determines which boundary layer to use based on its current position and mission parameters. The command module automatically calculates the appropriate boundary layer, adjusts boundary configurations, and executes contingency procedures without requiring external intervention. This self-service capability simplifies the overall system architecture by eliminating the need for complex external coordination while maintaining high safety standards through multiple boundary layers.
Data Source
AI summary
Example methods and systems for contingency landing a UAV are provided, comprising sensors configured to detect a position of the UAV and a command module. The command module receives a mission profile comprising a travel path mapped out in multidimensional space over time from an origin to a destination, a first boundary circumscribing at least a portion of the travel path, a second boundary circumscribing the first boundary, and contingent landing sites. The command module sends instructions to the UAV to fly according to the mission profile and determines a position of the UAV relative to the first and the second boundaries. Responsive to determining that the UAV is positioned at the first boundary, the command module sends instructions to land at a contingent landing site, and responsive to determining that the UAV is positioned at the second boundary, the command module sends instructions to land immediately.