UAV Positioning via Antenna Array Direction of Arrival
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can lose control due to malfunctioning on-board navigation devices, especially when subjected to external interference like GNSS signal jamming, leading to positioning errors that compromise their ability to fulfill missions.
Innovation Solution
Evaluating the position of a UAV by determining the direction of arrival of radio signals received from the UAV using an antenna array, calculating the range, and comparing it with known antenna positions, thereby providing a backup solution independent of on-board navigation systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If on-board navigation devices are used for UAV positioning, then the UAV can determine its position autonomously, but the system becomes vulnerable to external interference such as GNSS signal jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ground-based antenna array as an intermediary system to determine UAV position independently of on-board navigation devices. The antenna array receives radio signals from the UAV and calculates position through direction of arrival estimation and range calculation, serving as a mediator that bypasses vulnerable GNSS dependencies
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an independent copy of the positioning function by implementing a ground-based determination system that replicates position calculation without relying on the original on-board navigation device. This duplicate positioning system provides backup capability when the primary system is compromised
2Reliability
If an antenna array is used to determine direction of arrival for UAV positioning, then positioning can be achieved independent of on-board navigation, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is divided into multiple discrete antenna elements that can be independently processed. Each element receives signals separately, and the system processes signals from each element through dedicated receiver chains, dividing the complex positioning task into manageable segments that can be handled individually
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/physical positioning methods with signal processing approaches. Instead of using physical markers or visual systems, the invention uses electromagnetic signal analysis including direction of arrival estimation through signal correlation and range calculation through time delay measurement, substituting mechanical concepts with field-based measurements
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 precise UAV positioning even when on-board navigation is faulty, ensuring continued control and mission success by detecting and correcting positioning errors, and allowing switching to alternative navigation systems if necessary.
Implementation Method 1
determining the direction of arrival (DOA) of the received radio signal
Implementation Method 2
calculating the range between the aerial vehicle and the antenna array based on a radio signal provided for calculating the range and received from the aerial vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for evaluating the position of an aerial vehicle (10, 12) comprising the following steps of receiving a radio signal (14) from the aerial vehicle with an antenna array (16), determining the direction of arrival of the received radio signal, forming a reception beam (18) of the antenna array depending on the determined direction of arrival for receiving one or more further radio signals from the aerial vehicle, calculating the ranging between the aerial vehicle and the antenna array based on a radio signal provided for ranging and received from the aerial vehicle, and evaluating the position of the aerial vehicle based on the calculated ranging, the determined direction of arrival, and the known position of the antenna array.