UAV Relative Navigation for Aerial Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) lack the capability for mid-air refueling due to a lack of relative navigation capabilities, making it difficult for them to safely and efficiently rendezvous with a tanker aircraft for aerial refueling.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for relative navigation with integrity that calculates multiple navigation solutions between a UAV and a tanker aircraft, compares these solutions to identify consistent ones within a threshold value, and uses them to navigate the UAV during refueling, incorporating GPS and INS data and employing a Kalman filter for tightly coupled solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple navigation solutions are calculated and compared to ensure reliability, then the confidence and integrity of the relative navigation solution is improved, but the computational complexity and processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation solution is segmented into multiple independent calculation paths (GPS-only, loosely coupled GPS/INS, tightly coupled GPS/INS), each producing a separate relative navigation solution. These segmented solutions are then independently validated and compared to determine the most reliable solution, resolving the contradiction by dividing the complex validation process into manageable segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously comparing multiple navigation solutions against each other and using the comparison results to validate integrity. The inconsistent solutions are fed back into the selection process, allowing the system to iteratively refine the navigation solution and ensure reliability while maintaining computational efficiency through intelligent feedback loops.
2Measurement precision
If GPS and INS systems are tightly coupled using Kalman filter to improve navigation accuracy, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The GPS and INS systems are merged into a tightly coupled integration architecture where both systems work together through a Kalman filter. This merging allows the strengths of GPS (absolute positioning) and INS (short-term accuracy and autonomy) to complement each other, achieving high measurement precision while managing complexity through unified processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes processing parameters by implementing three distinct coupling levels (GPS-only, loosely coupled, tightly coupled). The Kalman filter is applied selectively at the tightly coupled level when maximum precision is required, while simpler methods are used when computational resources are constrained, allowing parameter adaptation to balance precision and complexity.
3Duration of action of moving object
If a UAV is equipped with relative navigation capabilities for mid-air refueling, then the range and mission duration are extended, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The relative navigation system is designed with multi-functionality to serve various operational requirements. The same GPS and INS hardware infrastructure is used for both autonomous navigation and relative navigation during refueling operations. By making the navigation system universal, the UAV can perform extended missions including mid-air refueling without requiring completely separate dedicated systems, thus extending mission duration while controlling the increase in complexity.
4Reliability
If multiple relative navigation solutions are calculated and compared, then the integrity and safety of the refueling operation is improved, but the loss of time for processing and decision-making increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations by pre-computing multiple navigation solutions (GPS-only, loosely coupled, tightly coupled) in parallel before the critical refueling decision point. This preliminary action allows all possible solutions to be ready for immediate comparison and validation, reducing the time loss during actual refueling operations while maintaining high integrity through comprehensive pre-validation.
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 UAVs to safely and efficiently rendezvous with tanker aircraft for aerial refueling, increasing their range and mission duration by providing reliable relative navigation capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
calculating a plurality of relative navigation solutions includes using a Kalman filter to obtain a tightly coupled relative navigation solution
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for navigating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for aerial refueling is described. A system processor in the UAV receives navigation data from a tanker aircraft and calculates a plurality of relative navigation solutions with respect to the tanker aircraft. The system processor compares the plurality of relative navigation solutions to identify any inconsistent solutions. The inconsistent solutions are discarded and the system processor navigates the UAV in position for refueling using the remaining relative navigation solutions.