UTM Arbitration Across Hybrid Networks for Low-Altitude UAS Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current unmanned traffic management (UTM) systems face limitations in effectively monitoring and managing small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) due to inadequate wireless infrastructure, particularly at low altitudes and in obstructed areas, leading to signal loss and performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A UTM arbitration system that integrates with multiple infrastructure networks to monitor and arbitrate UTM systems, detects inconsistencies, initiates reconciliation, and switches between primary and secondary infrastructure networks to ensure reliable tracking and performance, using sensors and machine learning for analytics and predictive maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless infrastructure network is used for UTM systems, then UAS tracking is enabled, but signal loss and performance degradation occur in obstructed areas and at low altitudes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple infrastructure networks (wireless, radar, SATCOM) into a hybrid architecture where each network type compensates for the weaknesses of others. Wireless provides general coverage, radar fills low-altitude and obstructed area gaps, and SATCOM extends coverage to remote regions, collectively eliminating signal loss problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The arbitration system implements a multi-functional infrastructure network that can dynamically switch between different tracking methods (wireless, radar, SATCOM) based on environmental conditions, ensuring universal coverage across all operational scenarios including obstructed areas, low altitudes, and remote regions.
2Productivity
If conventional UTM systems are used, then basic flight plan tracking is provided, but the systems cannot handle huge populations of UAS effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional wireless-based tracking with radar technology that uses electromagnetic wave reflection principles. Radar can detect and track multiple UAS simultaneously without relying on wireless communication from each vehicle, enabling effective monitoring of huge populations of UAS while maintaining tracking reliability.
3Reliability
If single infrastructure network is used, then system complexity is reduced, but coverage and reliability deteriorate in diverse geographic conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The arbitration system dynamically selects and switches between different infrastructure networks (wireless, radar, SATCOM) based on real-time environmental conditions, geographic location, and UAS population density. This dynamic adaptation provides reliable coverage across diverse conditions while managing complexity through intelligent resource allocation rather than permanently deploying all networks everywhere.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for reliably and efficiently monitoring and arbitrating the performance of one or more UTM infrastructure systems are provided herein. The method for monitoring and arbitrating a plurality of UTM infrastructure networks involves monitoring and arbitrating a plurality of unmanned traffic management (UTM) infrastructure networks comprising integrating a UTM arbitration system between the plurality of UTM infrastructure networks, wherein the UTM arbitration system is operably configured to simultaneously monitor the UTM infrastructure networks; monitoring information and/or data associated with one or more UTM systems associated with the UTM infrastructure networks; detecting the presence or absence thereof of one or more inconsistencies in the data and/or information associated with the one or more UTM systems; and initiating a reconciliation activity in response to detecting the presence of at least one inconsistency in the data and/or information associated with the one or more UTM systems.