UAV Airspace Map Layer Rendering for Flight Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional UAV flight maps prioritize data relevant to crewed aircraft, which is not essential for Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operators, leading to unnecessary complexity and lack of critical information for safe navigation and authorization within controlled airspace.
Innovation Solution
The system renders map layers based on relevance to UAV operations, focusing on features like LAANC gridlines, Temporary Flight Restrictions, flight obstacles, powerlines, pedestrian paths, and 3D renderings, providing a simplified and understandable view of operational limitations, and allowing features to be combined or hidden based on geography and mission requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional crewed aircraft map data is used for UAV flight planning, then comprehensive airspace coverage is achieved, but map complexity increases and critical UAV-specific information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and displays only the specific map features relevant to UAV operations (LAANC gridlines, Temporary Flight Restrictions, flight obstacles, powerlines, pedestrian paths) while excluding traditional crewed aircraft data (aircraft classes, altitudes, Federal airways, radio aids). This selective extraction resolves the contradiction by presenting critical UAV information without the complexity of comprehensive aviation data.
Solution Approach 2:
The map is segmented into distinct operational layers including LAANC authorization layers, Temporary Flight Restriction layers, obstacle layers, and infrastructure layers. Each layer can be independently controlled and displayed based on UAV mission requirements, allowing operators to view only necessary information while maintaining the option to access comprehensive data if needed.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive aviation data is displayed, then complete airspace information is provided, but ease of operation for UAV pilots deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The map interface applies local quality by providing different levels of information detail in different interface areas. The primary display shows simplified UAV-relevant features for easy operation, while contextual menus and detailed views provide comprehensive airspace data when needed. This allows UAV operators to maintain ease of operation while accessing complete authorization information on demand.
3Reliability
If traditional aeronautical map features are prioritized, then crewed aircraft navigation needs are met, but UAV-specific operational limitations are obscured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional aeronautical map approach by prioritizing UAV-specific operational limitations (LAANC authorizations, Temporary Flight Restrictions, ground-based obstacles) over traditional crewed aircraft navigation features. This inversion ensures that UAV operators receive reliable information for their specific operational context while maintaining the ability to access traditional aviation data when required.
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a processor. The processor is configured to execute instructions to receive first operator input and generate layers for a map based on the first operator input. The layers include features to indicate whether an Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operator should or could fly a UAV in an airspace corresponding to an area within the map. The processor is also configured to receive second operator input that specifies a path on the map, for a UAV flight.