25 patents in this list

Updated:

As drones become more prevalent in our skies, effective air traffic management is essential to ensure safety and efficiency. The challenge is to integrate these unmanned aerial vehicles into already crowded airspaces without disrupting existing operations. This requires sophisticated systems that can manage diverse drone types and communicate seamlessly with traditional air traffic control.

Professionals face the task of developing solutions that handle real-time communication, prevent collisions, and maintain secure operations. Drones must navigate dynamically changing environments, coordinate with manned aircraft, and adhere to regulations, all while ensuring reliable connectivity and data transmission.

This page explores advanced solutions in air traffic management for drones. It covers centralized systems for uniform data acquisition, geo-fencing for secure operations, and collision avoidance mechanisms. The focus is on enhancing coordination, improving safety, and ensuring efficient airspace utilization through robust communication networks and intelligent control systems.

1. Centralized System for Uniform Flight Status Data Acquisition and Transmission from Heterogeneous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

NEC Corporation, 2023

Centralized management of a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of different types for preventing complications of processing related to information acquisition from each UAV, even in a case where flight management of a plurality of types of UAVs different from each other is performed. The technique involves using an information communication device attached to the UAVs that acquires flight status information and transmits it wirelessly in a predetermined data format. A centralized management device receives and monitors the UAVs using the flight status information transmitted from the information communication device. This standardized format allows uniform acquisition of flight status from different UAV types.

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2. Air Traffic Control System Utilizing Existing Wireless Networks for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Communication and Coordination

Metal Raptor, LLC, 2023

An air traffic control system for managing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) uses existing wireless networks like cell networks to enable safe drone delivery operations. The system monitors and controls UAV flights and provides navigation assistance, collision avoidance, switchover between networks, and airspace coordination. The system uses wireless networks to communicate with UAVs and leverages network coverage, bandwidth, and redundancy for air traffic management.

3. Distributed Radio Node Network for Passive RF Signal Fingerprinting, Triangulation, and Control Signal Transmission of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

ARCHITECTURE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, 2023

Wirelessly detecting, identifying, locating, and neutralizing unauthorized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) within a predetermined area. It uses a distributed network of radio nodes that passively fingerprint the UAV's RF signals to identify it. By detecting the signals at multiple nodes, they can triangulate the UAV's location. The network can then generate and transmit control signals on the same frequency to take over control of the UAV.

4. 3D Network Coverage Computation System Utilizing Stored and Real-Time Data for UAV Guidance

Dimetor GmbH, 2023

Determining 3D network coverage for guiding UAVs in a flight area. It involves using stored and current network data to compute current 3D coverage, including handover probabilities and interference caused by the UAV.

5. Tamper-Resistant Geo-Fence System with Secure Firmware and Flight Plan Authorization for Drones

Intel Corporation, 2023

A tamper-resistant geo-fence system for drones uses secure firmware and flight plan authorization to ensure compliance with airspace and flight restrictions. The system integrates and updates airspace information securely with a drone's firmware. The firmware is stored in a tamper-resistant container and signed by an authority. The drone is only allowed to operate in authorized areas defined by the geo-fence. If the drone tries to leave the authorized area, it will be autonomously redirected back.

6. System for Trajectory-Based Passing Maneuver Control in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

NTT DOCOMO, INC., 2023

Flight control system for unmanned aerial vehicles that enables safe passing of nearby aircraft. The system detects nearby aircraft and determines if passing is possible based on their trajectories and airspace conditions. If passing is possible, it controls the drone to perform a passing maneuver at a safe distance from the other aircraft.

7. System for Deploying Propeller-Disrupting Objects Based on UAV Path Probability Analysis

Airshare, Inc., 2023

Efficiently intercepting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that enter restricted airspace without the expense and complexity of fighter jets or high-powered countermeasures like nets, lasers, or jammers. The interception method involves launching a cloud of small objects into the projected path of the target UAV to disable it. The objects ensnare propellers or block airflow to disrupt lift and cause an automatic landing. Probability analysis of the UAV's projected path determines when and where to launch the intercepting objects.

8. Collision Avoidance System with Hierarchical Priority-Based Steering Command Transmission for Unmanned Aerial Platforms

CICONIA LTD., 2023

System for mid-air collision avoidance and traffic control between unmanned aerial platforms with different priority levels. The system involves CAS (collision avoidance system) units on each platform that intermittently transmit their locations. Higher-priority platforms can receive these transmissions and calculate collision risks. If the risk is high, the higher priority platform CAS unit generates and transmits steering commands to the lower priority platform to avoid a collision.

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9. Network Node System and Methods for Detecting and Restricting Unauthorized Drone Cellular Access

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ), 2023

System and methods for managing unauthorized airborne drones communicating with cellular networks. The system detects unauthorized drone operations and restricts its network access, preventing wasted resources. The network node can also send a message indicating the connection will be released, with conditions for reconnection, or perform a forced detach procedure.

10. Connectivity Anomaly Detection System for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Flight Areas

Dimetor GmbH, 2023

Detecting connectivity anomalies in a flight area to ensure the safe operation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in beyond-line-of-sight applications. The method involves acquiring actual connectivity measurements at various locations within the flight area, comparing them against predicted connectivity data, and identifying deviations as anomalies. These anomalies are reported to aviation control centers so that UAV guidance can be adjusted.

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11. UAV Network Connectivity Management via Dynamic Resource Allocation and Airspace Region Mapping

Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc., 2023

System to enable UAVs to maintain network connectivity during their missions through dynamic network resource allocation. The system involves a UAV management device that maps network conditions to airspace regions. This mapping allows for determining if sufficient network resources are available along a UAV's flight plan to meet performance requirements. If not, the device can dynamically allocate network resources, extend coverage, or adjust the flight path to ensure connectivity.

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12. Management Platform for Coordinating UAV Data Transmission with Time and Airspace Allocation Using IoT-Enabled Relay, Split, and Merging Techniques

CHENGDU QINCHUAN IOT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., 2023

A system and method for managing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) data transmission in a smart city using the Internet of Things (IoT). The system involves a management platform that coordinates multiple UAVs performing different missions by assigning them to specific time domains and airspaces. This allows efficient data collection without interference. The platform also uses techniques like relay transmission, split transmission, and merging transmission to improve transmission efficiency based on the data requirements and features.

13. Point Cloud-Based 4D Path Planning System for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

CLROBUR CO., LTD, 2023

4D path planning for unmanned vehicles like drones using point cloud data to define safe and efficient flight paths. The method involves creating flight corridors in a 3D airspace by using point cloud information. The corridors are verified and simulated to ensure they are collision-free. The resulting paths are displayed and stored for unmanned vehicle navigation.

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14. Flight Restriction Monitoring and Notification System for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Wing Aviation LLC, 2023

An automated system helps unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) pilots plan and monitor flights to avoid airspace restrictions. The system uses a checklist of flight restriction conditions generated based on a planned flight area and time period. The system also monitors for changes to the restrictions and notifies the pilot before the flight if any restrictions have changed.

15. System for Broadcasting UAV Identification to Manned Aircraft via Network-Enabled Remote ID and Information Retrieval Mechanism

QUALCOMM Incorporated, 2023

Broadcasting flight information from UAVs to manned aircraft using network infrastructure to enable coexistence. The technique involves UAVs sending broadcast Remote ID (BRID) messages with basic identification to nearby devices. These devices use the ID to request full UAV information from network entities like cellular base stations or USS providers. The network then broadcasts the UAV info to surrounding aircraft like ADS-B.

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16. Drone Air Traffic Control System Utilizing Cellular Network-Based Communication for Real-Time Monitoring and Dynamic Lane Assignment

Metal Raptor, LLC, 2023

Air traffic control system for drones that leverages existing wireless networks like cellular networks for communication between the drones and the air traffic control system. The system manages drone flights, provides navigation assistance, monitoring, traffic management, obstacle avoidance, landing services, and control. It dynamically assigns flying lanes for drones to prevent collisions, congestion, etc. The system uses wireless networks to remotely monitor and control drones in real-time. It also leverages the networks for switchover between primary and backup connections during outages.

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17. Wireless Network-Based Air Traffic Control System for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles with Multi-Network Communication Capability

Metal Raptor, LLC, 2023

Air traffic control system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that uses existing wireless networks like cellular networks for control and communication. The system manages UAV flights, provides separation assurance, navigation assistance, traffic monitoring, real-time control, etc. The UAVs are equipped with wireless hardware to communicate over multiple networks for redundancy. The ATC system uses the cellular networks to communicate with the UAVs and control their flights.

18. Waypoint Locking and Rerouting Mechanism for Collision Avoidance in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Traffic Management System

Flytrex Aviation Ltd., 2021

Automated aerial traffic management system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that provides collision avoidance and efficient coordination of UAV flights. When a UAV requests a navigation waypoint, the system checks if it's clear of other UAVs. If clear, the UAV is instructed to navigate there. If not clear, the system locks the waypoint and tells the UAV to hover until it's clear. Other UAVs are rerouted to avoid the locked waypoint.

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19. Wireless Network-Based System for Air Traffic Management of Passenger Drones with Integrated Communication Interfaces

ETAK Systems, LLC, 2020

Managing air traffic of passenger drones through a system that uses wireless networks to communicate with the drones and provide traffic control functions like routing, separation assurance, collision avoidance, landing services, monitoring, and control. The system leverages existing cellular networks for coverage, connectivity, reduced latency, and high bandwidth compared to traditional air traffic control networks. It can also use multiple networks for redundancy. The drones are equipped with wireless interfaces to communicate with the networks and the ATC system.

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20. Automated Air Traffic Control System with DronAssistant Hardware and DronATC Software for UAV Integration

DRONSYSTEMS LIMITED, 2019

Automated air traffic control system that allows safe and efficient integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into the airspace. The system uses specialized hardware and software to manage UAV flights through virtual air traffic control centers. The hardware called DronAssistant installed on the UAVs communicates with the software called DronATC, which plans flight paths, monitors airspace, detects obstacles, and coordinates multiple UAVs. It also has features like requesting distributed computing from nearby UAVs to analyze non-cooperative obstacles and defining dedicated low-altitude airways optimized for UAVs. The system aims to enable scalable UAV operations while maintaining safety.

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The developments presented here demonstrate the continuous creation of strong air traffic management systems. As these technologies advance, a future in which drones as well as other aircrafts can coexist securely in the skies is anticipated, opening up new possibilities and advantages.