UAV Landing Coordination Using Regulated Airspace Sequencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in congested airspaces poses challenges for safe and efficient landing, as human intervention becomes impractical due to the volume of UAVs and potential interference with commercial aircraft, necessitating an automated solution for coordinated landing.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a landing coordination control unit that switches UAVs from a normal operating mode to a landing mode upon entering regulated airspace, determining the order of landing based on the time of entry, with the option of a monitoring station or onboard control unit, and includes instructions for automatic landing sequences via wireless signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human intervention is used to control UAV landings, then safety and coordination can be maintained, but the system becomes impractical due to the large volume of UAVs and cannot scale
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV landing system enables self-service by allowing UAVs to autonomously navigate, identify holding patterns, and execute landing sequences without human intervention. The system self-coordinates multiple UAVs using automated traffic management algorithms that assign holding patterns and landing orders based on entry timing into regulated airspace, eliminating the need for human controllers while maintaining safety through structured procedural control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary automated traffic management system that mediates between multiple UAVs and the landing zone. This intermediary system uses holding patterns as a mediating mechanism to sequence UAV arrivals, coordinating traffic flow and preventing conflicts without requiring direct human intervention in each landing transaction
2Productivity
If automated landing sequences are implemented, then productivity increases by managing large volumes of UAVs, but device complexity increases due to coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The landing system segments the approach path into distinct holding patterns and sequencing zones within the regulated airspace. By dividing the landing process into discrete segments with assigned holding patterns, the system manages complexity through spatial organization rather than requiring complex real-time coordination algorithms for the entire landing sequence
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic assignment of holding patterns based on real-time UAV entry timing into the regulated airspace. The coordination algorithm dynamically determines which UAV receives which holding pattern and landing sequence position, allowing the system to adapt to varying traffic conditions and maintain high throughput while managing complexity through flexible, real-time decision-making
3Reliability
If holding patterns are used to sequence UAVs, then landing order is determined fairly based on entry time, but landing duration increases due to waiting in holding patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by assigning holding patterns and landing sequences to UAVs before they actually land. UAVs that enter the regulated airspace first are pre-assigned priority positions in the landing sequence and appropriate holding patterns, ensuring fair ordering is established in advance based on entry timing rather than requiring complex real-time arbitration during the landing process
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (100) for landing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (102) at a destination (202) includes a landing coordination control unit (114) that is configured to switch the UAV (102) from a normal operating mode to a landing mode in response to the UAV (102) entering a regulated airspace (204) in relation to the destination (202). The normal operating mode includes normal instructions for flying and navigating to the destination (202). The landing mode includes landing instructions for a landing sequence into a landing zone (200) at the destination (202).