Widefield Airspace Imaging System for UAS Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) lack onboard pilot capabilities to detect and avoid collisions with other aircraft or terrain objects, limiting their operation in the National Airspace System due to the weight, volume, and power requirements of existing sense and avoid systems.
Innovation Solution
A Widefield Airspace Imaging and Monitoring (WAIM) system using a single high-definition camera with a distributed array of collection lenses and fiber optic image transfer devices for full spherical imaging, combined with image interpolation and collision target extraction software for autonomous trajectory control, providing effective and lightweight collision avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sense and avoid systems are used for UAS, then collision detection capability is improved, but weight, volume, and power requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple camera functions into a single camera system with a distributed lens array. Instead of using separate sensors for different detection functions, the invention combines them all into one integrated camera unit, significantly reducing weight and volume while maintaining comprehensive collision detection capability through the array of lenses that capture images from multiple angles simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the field of view into multiple regions by distributing lens elements across the camera structure. Each lens in the array captures a specific portion of the surrounding airspace, and these segmented views are then processed together to provide comprehensive 360-degree awareness. This segmentation allows the system to achieve wide coverage without requiring a single bulky camera.
2Reliability
If traditional sense and avoid systems are used for UAS, then collision detection capability is improved, but system volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple camera functions into a single camera system with a distributed lens array. Instead of using separate sensors for different detection functions, the invention combines them all into one integrated camera unit, significantly reducing weight and volume while maintaining comprehensive collision detection capability through the array of lenses that capture images from multiple angles simultaneously.
3Reliability
If traditional sense and avoid systems are used for UAS, then collision detection capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple camera functions into a single camera system with a distributed lens array. Instead of using separate sensors for different detection functions, the invention combines them all into one integrated camera unit, significantly reducing weight and volume while maintaining comprehensive collision detection capability through the array of lenses that capture images from multiple angles simultaneously.
4Device complexity
If a single camera is used for widefield imaging, then device complexity is reduced, but field of view coverage may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the field of view into multiple regions by distributing lens elements across the camera structure. Each lens in the array captures a specific portion of the surrounding airspace, and these segmented views are then processed together to provide comprehensive 360-degree awareness. This segmentation allows the system to achieve wide coverage without requiring a single bulky camera.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-lens 2D view to a multi-lens 3D spherical view. By arranging lenses in a distributed array that captures images from multiple spatial angles, the system achieves full spherical field of view coverage. This dimensional expansion from single-point to multi-point observation enables comprehensive airspace imaging while maintaining relatively simple individual camera components.
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 safe and efficient UAS operations with a system that is lightweight, low in volume and power, capable of detecting objects over a large range and facilitating autonomous collision avoidance without diminishing the payload capacity of small UASs.
Implementation Method 1
an array of collection lenses distributed throughout the vehicle, each viewing a complementary portion of the airspace around the vehicle, and individually attached to fiber optic image transfer devices, the other end of which are all connected to the camera body in such a way so as to project the image captured by each lens onto adjacent sections of the camera's sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A Widefield Airspace Imaging and Navigation System to provide UASs with wide field airspace imaging and collision avoidance capabilities. An array of optical lenses are distributed throughout the aircraft to provide an unobstructed view in all directions around the aircraft. Each collection lens is coupled through an optical fiber to a camera that multiplexes the several images. A processing system is connected to the wide array imaging system, and it runs an image interpolation program for resolving a background image and for distinguishing objects that are not moving with the background. In addition, a navigation control program reads the image interpolation software and, upon detection of an approaching object, implements a rule-based avoidance maneuver by sending an appropriate signal to the existing UAS autopilot.