UAV Flight Path Planning Around GNSS Satellite Availability Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) cannot continue flight without interrupting GPS signal acquisition, especially when image data for the flight path is not available.
Innovation Solution
A method for setting a UAV flight path that calculates the availability of artificial satellites based on their positional relationship with the UAV and compares this to a reference availability state required for flight control, allowing for adjustments to the flight path to maintain satellite availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If image recognition or parachute deployment equipment is added to enable flight continuation without GNSS, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical/electronic safety systems (image recognition equipment, parachute deployment mechanisms) with a computational method that uses existing sensor data (barometer, accelerometer, GPS receiver) to calculate safety parameters and determine flight continuation eligibility. This substitutes physical safety mechanisms with an information-processing approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The UAV uses its own existing sensors (barometer, accelerometer, GPS receiver) and onboard computational resources to perform safety assessments and determine flight continuation capability. The system serves its own safety monitoring needs without requiring external or additional specialized equipment.
2Reliability
If manual operation or safe zone landing is required when GNSS signal is lost, then flight safety is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculations of safety parameters (maximum ascent rate, maximum descent rate, horizontal speed limits) before GNSS signal loss occurs. By pre-computing these safety thresholds using barometric pressure and accelerometer data, the system enables immediate automated safety responses without requiring manual pilot intervention when the signal is lost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts flight parameters based on real-time safety calculations. The system continuously monitors barometric pressure changes and accelerometer data to compute current safety thresholds, then dynamically modifies the flight path and speed parameters to remain within safe operating limits, enabling adaptive continuous flight rather than static pre-programmed safe zone landing.
3Reliability
If additional safety equipment is deployed to ensure flight continuation without GNSS, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV autonomously performs safety assessments and flight path adjustments using its existing sensors and computational resources. The system self-determines whether flight continuation is safe by calculating safety parameters from barometric and accelerometer data, eliminating the need for pilot intervention or complex safety equipment operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback loop where the system continuously monitors flight parameters (barometric pressure changes, acceleration data) and compares them against calculated safety thresholds. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts flight control commands to maintain safe operation, creating a closed-loop control system that simplifies pilot workload while ensuring safety.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for setting a flight path of an unmanned aerial vehicle includes calculating an availability state, in an unmanned aerial vehicle, of artificial satellites based on a positional relationship between the artificial satellites constituting a global navigation satellite system and the unmanned aerial vehicle at any of points in a scheduled path of the unmanned aerial vehicle flying autonomously. The method further includes comparing the availability state calculated and a reference availability state required for flight control of the unmanned aerial vehicle.