UAV Airspace Sensing Using Light and Sound for Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft collision avoidance systems are often heavy, expensive, and rely on active interrogation of transponders, making them ineffective for detecting objects without transponders, especially in busy and unpredictable low-altitude airspace.
Innovation Solution
The development of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system equipped with multiple sensors, including cameras, acoustic sensors, and multispectral sensors, which detect and analyze signals from objects in the UAV's airspace to determine their type, trajectory, and likelihood of change, allowing for dynamic updates to the UAV's flight plan to avoid collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active interrogation of transponders is used for collision avoidance, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces active transponder interrogation systems with passive optical and acoustic detection systems. The UAV uses cameras to detect light patterns (navigation lights, anti-collision lights) and acoustic sensors to detect engine sounds, eliminating the need for complex active transponder systems while maintaining detection capability for both equipped and unequipped objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model of the airspace by capturing and analyzing light patterns and acoustic signatures. Instead of directly interrogating transponders, the system builds a representation of objects based on their emitted or reflected light and sound, enabling indirect detection that reduces system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If transponder-based detection is used, then object identification is improved, but objects without transponders become invisible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal detection system that can identify both transponder-equipped and unequipped objects using the same optical and acoustic sensors. The system analyzes light patterns (navigation lights, anti-collision lights) and acoustic signatures to identify object type and intent, making detection coverage universal across all aircraft regardless of transponder presence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent detects different object types by analyzing their light patterns and colors. Navigation lights (red, green, white), anti-collision lights (flashing white or red), and other illumination characteristics serve as visual identifiers that allow the system to distinguish between different aircraft types and their operational states without requiring transponders.
3Reliability
If heavy aircraft collision avoidance systems are installed, then safety is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical radar and transponder systems with lightweight optical cameras and acoustic sensors. These passive sensors detect objects through light patterns and sound waves, significantly reducing system weight while maintaining collision avoidance safety through continuous monitoring and trajectory analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates virtual representations of detected objects by analyzing light and sound data, eliminating the need for heavy physical detection equipment. The flight management system processes these virtual models to determine collision risk and generate avoidance maneuvers, achieving safety with minimal weight penalty.
4Weight of moving object
If passive transponder information transmission is used, then system weight is reduced, but only equipped objects can be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal passive detection system using optical cameras and acoustic sensors that can detect both transponder-equipped and unequipped objects. The system analyzes light patterns (navigation lights, anti-collision lights) and acoustic signatures to identify all objects in the airspace, making detection coverage universal without requiring transponders.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses light pattern analysis to detect objects without transponders. By monitoring navigation lights (red, green, white positions), anti-collision lights (flashing patterns), and other illumination characteristics, the system achieves universal detection coverage while keeping weight low through passive optical sensing.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of monitoring airspace at least partially surrounding an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a UAV, and a system. The method comprises receiving one or more signals representative of an environment extending from the UAV, analyzing the one or more signals to determine a presence of an object, identifying an object type of the object based at least in part on the one or more signals, determining one or more operating characteristics of the object based at least in part on the one or more signals, and determining a trajectory envelope of the object based at least in part on the object type and the one or more operating characteristics of the object. The trajectory envelope includes at least a probability of possible future locations of the object during a predetermined period of time.