UAV Deconfliction Using Time-to-Intersection Flight Path Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to effectively manage the flight paths of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to prevent intersections and ensure safe distances, especially in areas where numerous UAVs are deployed simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The method involves receiving flight information from nearby UAVs, determining the time to intersection based on this information, and adjusting the flight path of the first aircraft by altering its altitude, airspeed, or lateral location to maintain safe distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If numerous UAVs are deployed in a given area to increase available deliveries, then productivity is improved, but the difficulty of keeping UAVs at safe distances from one another increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously receives flight information from other UAVs, calculates time to intersection, and adjusts the UAV's path in real-time based on this feedback loop, enabling safe operation of multiple UAVs in the same area
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively determines potential intersection times and adjusts flight paths before collisions occur, rather than reacting to actual threats, allowing preventive deconfliction of multiple UAVs
2Reliability
If manual monitoring and control of UAV flight paths is implemented to prevent intersections, then safety is improved, but operator intervention increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV autonomously performs deconfliction operations by automatically receiving flight information, calculating intersection risks, determining adjustments, and altering its own path without human intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes flight parameters such as altitude, airspeed, and lateral location to avoid intersections, enabling automated safety without operator involvement
Data Source
AI summary
A method described herein includes receiving. by a first aircraft. flight information corresponding to a second aircraft within a range of the first aircraft. determining a time to intersection of the second aircraft with respect to the first aircraft based on the flight information of the second aircraft. determining an adjustment for the first aircraft based on the time to intersection of the second aircraft with respect to the first aircraft. and altering the path of the first aircraft based on the adjustment.