UAV Flight Control Using Total Station Optical Position Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flight control systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and topography measuring systems lack real-time transmission of flight position data, leading to inefficiencies in measurement processes and increased time for remeasurement due to the need for manual data collation and complex system configurations.
Innovation Solution
A flight control system that includes a UAV equipped with a reflector and a total station, where the total station tracks the reflector using a tracking module and emits TS-data transmitting light, allowing the UAV to receive and process measurement data in real time for accurate flight control and topography measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If positional data is stored in a total station and collated after measurement, then system configuration is simplified, but real-time flight position recognition is lost and measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the total station and UAV into an integrated measurement system where the total station transmits position data to the UAV in real-time through optical communication. This merging eliminates the need for separate data collation processes while maintaining system simplicity, resolving the contradiction between simplified configuration and real-time operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical communication intermediary (light signal) between the total station and UAV to transmit position data. This intermediary enables real-time data transfer without requiring complex wired connections or post-measurement collation, reducing measurement time while keeping the system configuration relatively simple.
2Measurement precision
If a reflector is tracked by a total station for position measurement, then position data accuracy is improved, but additional position measuring instruments are required and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The total station in the patent performs multiple functions: it tracks the reflector for position measurement, transmits position data optically to the UAV, and enables real-time flight control. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate position measuring instruments on the UAV, maintaining measurement precision while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The UAV receives position data directly from the total station through optical communication and uses this data for its own flight control and navigation. The UAV essentially serves itself with position information without requiring additional independent position measuring instruments, reducing system complexity while maintaining accuracy.
3Productivity
If real-time transmission of flight position data is implemented, then measurement efficiency is improved, but system complexity and additional instruments are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical or electronic data transmission systems with optical communication (light signals) for transmitting position data from the total station to the UAV. This substitution enables real-time transmission with improved measurement efficiency while avoiding the complexity of wired connections or additional electronic communication hardware on the UAV.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the UAV to fly with highly accurate positional information and perform topography measurements in real time, reducing the need for remeasurement and simplifying system configuration by transmitting flight position data directly to the UAV.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector is mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle and a total station for tracking the reflector
Implementation Method 2
a TS-data transmitting module having an optical axis parallel or approximately parallel to a tracking optical axis of the tracking module and for emitting a TS-data transmitting light
Implementation Method 3
the unmanned aerial vehicle has a photodetector for receiving the TS-data transmitting light and for emitting a photodetecting signal
Data Source
AI summary
A flight control system for an unmanned aerial vehicle comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle on which a reflector is mounted and a total station for tracking the reflector and for acquiring measurement data including three-dimensional coordinates of the reflector, wherein the total station comprises a tracking module for tracking the reflector, a TS-data transmitting module having an optical axis parallel or approximately parallel to a tracking optical axis of the tracking module and for emitting a TS-data transmitting light, and a TS-arithmetic control module, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle has a photodetector for receiving the TS-data transmitting light and for emitting a photodetecting signal and a UAV-arithmetic control module for controlling a flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle, and wherein the TS-arithmetic control module is configured to superimpose the measurement data on the TS-data transmitting light, and the UAV-arithmetic control module is configured to separate the measurement data from the photodetecting signal and obtains a flight position of the unmanned aerial vehicle in real time.