UAV Tracking Estimation for Surveying Device Recapture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for tracking unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) using total stations (TS) face challenges in accurately recapturing lost UAVs due to unpredictable movements and obstacles, resulting in high error rates and loss of sight.
Innovation Solution
An operating device with an estimating part and a search controlling part is used to estimate the direction and apparent speed of the UAV based on its predetermined flight path, allowing the TS to search for the UAV at optimal times and locations, such as when the UAV makes circular flights or flies beyond a certain distance, enhancing the chances of recapture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the TS uses automatic target-tracking function with scanning laser light to capture and track the UAV, then the TS can track the UAV in flight, but the TS may lose sight of the UAV due to unpredictable movements and obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by predicting the UAV's future position based on its movement history and flight characteristics before the UAV actually reaches that position. This allows the TS to prepare and track the UAV proactively rather than reactively, improving tracking reliability during unpredictable movements and obstacle encounters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously receives feedback from the UAV's location measurements and adjusts the prediction model accordingly. By comparing predicted positions with actual positions, the system refines its understanding of UAV movement patterns, thereby improving both tracking reliability and locating accuracy over time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the TS searches for the UAV without prediction, then the search may be performed broadly, but there are many errors in recapturing a lost UAV
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary position prediction based on the UAV's flight path and movement characteristics before initiating the search. This allows the search to be focused on the predicted location rather than performed broadly, significantly improving recapture reliability by reducing search errors and concentrating resources on the most likely UAV position.
3Measurement precision
If a more highly accurate location measuring device using GNSS is mounted on the UAV, then locating accuracy may be improved, but weight and electric power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary prediction mechanism that acts as a mediator between the TS and the UAV. Instead of relying solely on direct measurement from heavy equipment on the UAV, the prediction function uses the UAV's movement history and flight characteristics to estimate its position, thereby achieving high locating accuracy without adding weight to the UAV.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical solution of mounting heavy accurate location measuring devices on the UAV with a computational approach. By using algorithms that predict UAV position based on movement patterns and flight data, the system achieves high locating accuracy without the weight and power consumption penalties of additional hardware.
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
This approach significantly improves the reliability of recapturing lost UAVs by optimizing search timings and locations, reducing errors and increasing the probability of successful reacquisition.
Implementation Method 1
The UAV has a reflective prism that reflects the scanning laser light back in the incident direction, and the TS detects light reflected from the reflective prism to track the UAV
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for more reliably capturing a lost unmanned aerial vehicle in tracking the unmanned aerial vehicle by a surveying device is provided. A UAV search controlling part configured to be used in a search for an unmanned aerial vehicle that flies along a predetermined flight path includes an estimating part and a search controlling part. The estimating part estimates, on the basis of location data of a surveying device that surveys a location of the unmanned aerial vehicle by using laser light and on the basis of the predetermined flight path, a direction of the unmanned aerial vehicle as seen from the surveying device at a specific time. The search controlling part controls to allow the surveying device to search for the unmanned aerial vehicle, on the basis of the estimated direction.