UAV Fleet Computational Sharing for Area Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring geographic areas is time-consuming and costly due to the limitations of existing methods and technologies.
Innovation Solution
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with a universal coupler and various tool systems, such as sensors, cameras, and chemical dispensing systems, which can be interchanged and controlled to perform multiple tasks efficiently, including monitoring, sensing, and task coordination through a central control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized UAVs are deployed for different monitoring tasks, then task coverage and functionality are improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal UAV platform that can perform multiple monitoring tasks by dynamically configuring different sensor suites. The system allows a single UAV to be equipped with various combinations of sensors (e.g., optical cameras, thermal imaging, LIDAR, hyperspectral sensors) depending on the specific task requirements, eliminating the need for multiple specialized UAVs and reducing system complexity while maintaining full task coverage
2Measurement precision
If more sensors and tool systems are integrated on each UAV, then monitoring capability and data quality are improved, but weight and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor systems into modular units that can be independently selected and attached to the UAV based on task requirements. Instead of integrating all sensors permanently, the system allows dynamic assembly of sensor suites (e.g., selecting only optical and thermal sensors for a fire monitoring task, or only LIDAR and hyperspectral for forestry analysis), thereby reducing weight while maintaining monitoring precision when needed
3Measurement precision
If a centralized control system processes all data from multiple UAVs, then computational accuracy and task coordination are improved, but processing time and communication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hierarchical processing architecture that adds a spatial dimension to data processing. Edge computing nodes are distributed across the UAV fleet and ground stations, allowing local preprocessing and filtering of data at multiple locations simultaneously. This distributed approach maintains computational accuracy through collaborative processing while significantly reducing central processing time and communication overhead by handling data locally before centralized aggregation
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, unmanned aerial task systems are provided that comprise: multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) each comprising: a UAV control circuit; a motor; and a propulsion system; and wherein data acquired through a first set of at least one of the multiple UAVs while performing a first set of at least one task is caused to be distributed to a second set of at least two of the multiple UAVs, and cause cooperative computational processing of the data through the UAV control circuits of the second set of UAVs and cooperatively identify based on the cooperative computational processing a second set of at least one task to be performed, and identify a set of at least two tool systems to be utilized by a third set of at least two of the multiple UAVs in cooperatively performing the second set of at least one task.