UAV Steering via Smoothed Position Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current high-level command systems for UAVs require at least two operators, one for flying and one for payload handling, which limits efficiency and flexibility, especially in scenarios like convoy following and target acquisition.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that determine a smoothed position based on a reference position for a moving object, allowing the UAV to follow this position smoothly and independently, thereby enabling single-operator control and improved flight stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If high level commands are implemented for UAV control, then operator focus on mission can be improved, but at least two operators are still required which increases system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemission focus capabilityVSAvoidnumber of operators required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The UAV performs autonomous flight control itself by automatically tracking the moving object. The flight control system independently calculates position deviations and generates control commands without requiring human operators to manually control flight parameters, enabling the system to serve itself in the flight control function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions (automatic object tracking and flight control) into a single integrated system. The flight control system simultaneously handles both the tracking objective and the flight control tasks that were previously separated, allowing one operator to manage both payload and flying functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If the UAV directly follows the reference position of a moving object, then tracking accuracy is improved, but flight stability deteriorates due to irregular object behavior

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidflight stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary smoothing of the reference position trajectory before the UAV executes the tracking flight path. By pre-processing the target position data to remove irregularities and calculate a smoothed reference trajectory, the system prepares a stable flight path in advance that maintains tracking accuracy while eliminating destabilizing fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The smoothed reference position acts as an intermediary between the actual moving object position and the UAV's flight path. Instead of directly tracking the object's irregular position, the UAV follows the smoothed intermediate trajectory that preserves the overall tracking objective while filtering out destabilizing high-frequency variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2715471B1Method and system for steering an unmanned aerial vehicle
Publication Date: 2016.10.26 UMS SKELDAR SWEDEN AB
  • EP2715471B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2715471B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2715471B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for steering a UAV, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, to enable a high level command of the UAV. The method comprising the steps of: determining (500) a reference position (200, 300, 400) related to a position (210, 310, 410) for a moving object (220, 320, 420) which the UAV should follow; calculating (515) a smoothed position (230, 330, 430) based on the reference position (200, 300, 400), wherein the smoothed position (230, 330, 430) is calculated so that the smoothed position (230, 330, 430) moves more smoothly than the reference position (200, 300, 400); and steering (525) the UAV so that UAV follows the smoothed position (230, 330, 430).