25 patents in this list
Updated: April 13, 2024
Drones' rising popularity opens up intriguing new opportunities for a number of industries. But it's imperative to make sure drone operations in shared airspace are both safe and effective.
New developments in drone air traffic control that tackle this issue. It controls flight paths, avoids collisions, and plans the actions of drones.
This makes it possible to safely expand the use of drones for tasks like delivery, inspections, and surveillance.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.