Autonomous Vehicle Localization for Precision UAV Landing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles, particularly UAVs, face challenges in precision landing due to size and weight restrictions, leading to high repair costs and control issues during operation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for autonomous vehicle localization using a position indicator with point sources of electromagnetic radiation, a detection device, and a computation device to calculate the vehicle's position and orientation, enabling feedback-controlled landing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UAVs are designed to be crash resistant without precision landing capability, then vehicle durability is improved, but repair costs increase due to frequent crash landings
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a feedback control mechanism where a detection device on the ground detects position indicators (LEDs) on the UAV, computes the UAV's position and orientation, and sends control signals back to the UAV's control system to adjust its flight path and achieve precision landing, eliminating crash landings and associated repair costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical crash resistance design with an optical-electronic control system consisting of position indicators (LEDs), detection devices (cameras), computation devices, and control systems that enable precision landing through electromagnetic radiation detection and feedback control
2Measurement precision
If precision landing equipment is added to UAVs, then landing precision is improved, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the precision landing function from the UAV itself and places the heavy detection and computation equipment on the ground, leaving the UAV with only lightweight position indicators (LEDs) and a receiver, thereby achieving precision landing without significantly increasing UAV weight
Solution Approach 2:
The ground-based detection device and computation device serve as intermediaries between the UAV and the control system, enabling precision landing control without requiring the UAV to carry heavy sensing and processing equipment
3Measurement precision
If more position indicators are added to improve localization accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places position indicators (LEDs) at specific strategic locations on the UAV (wingtips and tail) rather than uniformly distributing them, optimizing localization accuracy while minimizing the number of indicators needed and reducing system complexity
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
Enables precise autonomous landing of UAVs and other vehicles by accurately localizing them to a target area, reducing damage and repair costs, and improving control accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a detection device adapted for association with the target area and configured to detect the position indicator
Data Source
AI summary
A system for localizing an autonomous vehicle to a target area can include a position indicator adapted for association with the vehicle in a three dimensional configuration, a detection device configured to detect the position indicator, a computation device configured to compute a position of the vehicle based on the detected position indicator and the relationship of the configuration to the vehicle orientation, a transmitter configured to receive information from the computation device and produce a signal carrying the information, a receiver configured to receive the signal from the transmitter and filter the information therefrom, and a control system configured for association with and control of one or more directional control components of the vehicle, the control being based on the information received from the receiver relating to localizing the vehicle to the target area. A method of for localizing a vehicle to a target area is also disclosed.