Unmanned Aircraft Locking for Clearance-Controlled Take-Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unmanned aircraft systems lack a reliable mechanism to prevent take-off when flight clearance is not granted due to spatial, temporal, or operator-specific restrictions, posing safety risks and legal liabilities.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a software application and a web application, integrated with a locking mechanism on the aircraft, ensures take-off is prevented unless clearance is granted through telematic communication and validation, using a microcontroller and power supply interruption means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If geofencing is used to restrict flight areas, then flight safety is improved, but the system cannot account for recently issued NOTAMs due to lack of updating
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-installing the locking means and communication device on the aircraft, and by proactively requesting flight clearance before takeoff. The locking mechanism is prepared in advance to receive validation signals, ensuring that the aircraft cannot operate without proper clearance. This preliminary setup enables the system to respond immediately when clearance is granted or denied, maintaining flight safety while ensuring compliance with current regulations.
2Reliability
If GPS interference is used to force aircraft landing, then flight restriction compliance is improved, but the aircraft operation is disrupted without proper clearance validation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary validation system that acts as a mediator between the aircraft and air traffic control. The locking means with communication device serve as an intermediary that validates flight clearance through proper communication channels before allowing operation. This intermediary mechanism ensures regulation compliance while maintaining smooth aircraft operation, as the validation process is integrated into the normal pre-flight procedures rather than disrupting operations through GPS interference.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism with communication device is installed, then take-off prevention without clearance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of clearance validation from the complex air traffic control system and implements it as a separate, standalone locking mechanism on the aircraft. The locking means with its integrated communication device handles only the specific task of validating clearance and controlling take-off, while the main aircraft systems remain unchanged. This extraction approach prevents unauthorized take-off while keeping the added complexity minimal and focused on a single critical function.
Data Source
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AI summary
An unmanned aircraft operating control system and method operates to prevent the aircraft from taking off without requesting clearance or if a positive clearance has not been granted. It comprises a software handled by the clearance applicant and a web application that processes and sends an encoded file to the proximal software, said encoded file containing a clearance type and a set of coordinates. The encoded file is executed at the beginning of the flight, with the intervention of an electronic board which upon the starting up of the aircraft causes the blocking of the aircraft's control means and sends a radio message to the proximal software, answerable if the encoded file contains a positive clearance and the flight operator's space and time location falls within an authorized range, in whose case the reception of the response message in the electronic board unblocks the aircraft.