UAV Drop Altitude Adjustment Using Relative Elevation Differences
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous aerial vehicles (UAVs) face challenges in determining their height relative to a designated drop location, especially when carrying a package, due to interference from the package with height sensors like LiDAR, and some UAVs lack sensors to provide height information.
Innovation Solution
The method involves calculating a relative elevation difference between the start and drop locations using predetermined elevation values and altitude values obtained from sensors or databases, allowing the UAV to adjust its altitude to ensure accurate delivery without relying solely on onboard height sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If onboard height sensors (LiDAR) are used to determine UAV altitude, then real-time height information can be obtained, but the package interferes with the sensor causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of ground-based sensors and communication infrastructure that mediates between the UAV and the ground. Instead of relying on onboard sensors that are blocked by the package, the system uses external ground sensors to detect the UAV's position and communicate this information back to the UAV, thereby resolving the measurement interference problem
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical onboard height sensing system (LiDAR) with an electromagnetic-based external sensing system. The ground-based sensors use electromagnetic signals to detect UAV position and communicate this data wirelessly, substituting the direct mechanical/optical measurement approach that is vulnerable to physical blockage
2Device complexity
If no onboard height sensors are installed on the UAV, then the device complexity is reduced, but the UAV cannot obtain height information for accurate delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The ground-based sensor system acts as an intermediary that provides height information to the UAV without requiring the UAV to carry its own height sensors. The external infrastructure compensates for the removed onboard sensors, maintaining information availability while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The ground-based infrastructure serves itself by using existing communication networks and sensor systems to provide UAV tracking and height information. The system leverages existing environmental infrastructure rather than requiring dedicated UAV-mounted systems
3Manufacturing precision
If the UAV adjusts altitude based on calculated elevation differences, then accurate drop placement is achieved, but additional calculation and communication steps increase system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of elevation differences between the UAV's current position and the target drop location before the actual delivery. By pre-calculating the required altitude adjustments and planning the descent path in advance, the system achieves precise placement without requiring complex real-time control algorithms during the critical drop phase
Data Source
AI summary
Unmanned autonomous vehicle (UAV) selection information identifying a UAV, flight path information, and a relative elevation difference value that is a difference between a first elevation value of a start location and a second elevation value of a drop location are received. Navigation of the UAV is initiated using the UAV selection information and the flight path information. A relative altitude difference value is obtained using a first altitude value of the UAV associated with the start location and a second altitude value of the UAV associated with the drop location. In response to a difference between the relative elevation difference value and the relative altitude difference value being outside a predefined threshold, UAV is caused to adjust the second altitude value such that an updated difference between the relative elevation difference value and an updated relative altitude difference value is within the predefined threshold.