UAV Visual Line-of-Sight Control Around Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) often fly out of visual line of sight (VLOS) of operators, posing challenges in maintaining safe and controlled flight operations, especially when flying around structures.
Innovation Solution
A UAV computer system is configured to ensure VLOS by using global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals to determine geospatial locations and navigate the UAV to maintain VLOS with ground operators, employing contingency actions and geofences to prevent loss of sight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the UAV is manually flown or flown via autopilot in visual flight conditions, then the operator can control the UAV, but the UAV may fly out of visual line of sight of the operator
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the UAV's position relative to the operator's location using GNSS signals and determines whether the UAV remains within visual line of sight. This feedback loop enables real-time detection of VLOS status and triggers appropriate responses when the UAV approaches or exceeds visual range limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by navigating the UAV to stay within predetermined visual line of sight boundaries before the UAV actually flies out of sight. The computer system calculates safe flight paths and issues navigation commands to maintain VLOS, preventing the loss of visual contact rather than reacting after it occurs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the UAV flies around structures, then the UAV can access various locations, but the operator cannot visually spot the UAV
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses three-dimensional geospatial coordinates obtained from GNSS signals to establish visual line of sight boundaries in three-dimensional space around structures. By calculating spatial relationships in 3D space rather than simple two-dimensional boundaries, the system can determine whether the UAV remains visible to the operator even when flying around complex structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The computer system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the UAV, continuously monitoring the UAV's position and providing navigation guidance to maintain visual line of sight. The system processes spatial data and communicates with the UAV to ensure it remains within observable boundaries without requiring direct visual monitoring by the operator at all times.
3Extent of automation
If the UAV operates in auto-pilot mode, then the flight is automated, but the UAV may inadvertently fly beyond visual line of sight
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system incorporates continuous feedback mechanisms that monitor the UAV's position relative to visual line of sight boundaries. The computer system receives GNSS position data, determines VLOS status automatically, and provides real-time navigation commands to the UAV to maintain compliance with visual line of sight requirements throughout the flight.
Solution Approach 2:
The UAV system performs self-service by autonomously monitoring its own position and automatically adjusting its flight path to remain within visual line of sight boundaries. The computer system on the UAV processes spatial data and executes navigation commands without requiring constant manual intervention, enabling the UAV to self-correct and maintain VLOS compliance independently.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for unmanned aerial vehicle visual line of sight flight operations. A UAV computer system may be configured to ensure the UAV is operating in visual line of sight of one or more ground operators. The UAV may confirm that it has a visual line of sight with the one or more user devices, such as a ground control station, or the UAV may ensure that the UAV does not fly behind or below a structure such that the ground operator would not be able to visually spot the UAV. The UAV computer system may be configured in such a way that UAV operation will maintain the UAV in visual line of sight of a base location.