Autonomous Separation Management System for Drones Through Optimal Layer Interactions

A. Vlaskin, Emmanuel Sunil, Joost Ellerbroek, J.M. Hoekstra, Dennis Nieuwenhuisen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeConference contributionScientificpeer-review

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Abstract

Abstract—In the coming decades, drones are expected to operate within urban areas at high volumes, and if implemented suc- cessfully, applications such as infrastructure inspection, medical supply and parcel delivery can be improved by the technology. This poses a challenge: how are these drones to be guided in this highly-constrained airspace? Many existing projects have approached the problem from different angles: some place more importance on the Tactical Layer and thus resolving conflicts in flight, while other research focuses on the Strategic Layer with scheduling or airspace design. While analysis is done on a complete system, with all separation management layers implemented, work remains to be done regarding quantifying how these layers interact, and what positive characteristics of these interactions can be utilised to make the system more efficient, safe, and robust to uncertainties. This paper proposes a framework on which this analysis can be performed. Firstly, lay- ers are investigated independently. A feedback system is proposed, where layer outputs are measured, as is the resulting system performance. For instance, an initial hypothesis is that reducing airspace complexity in the Strategic layer, while accounting for uncertainty, will lead to better overall system performance. This can help with minimising flight times and improving overall safety. Also, manoeuvres performed by the Tactical (in-flight) layer should take this complexity metric into account. The feedback loop approach also proposes that the complexity be fed back to the central planner, and that the Strategic (Pre-Flight) layer should be able to take system status into account when performing planning.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings International Conference on Research in Air Transportation
EditorsEric Neiderman, Marc Bourgois, Dave Lovell, Hartmut Fricke
Number of pages4
Publication statusPublished - 2024
EventInternational Conference on Research in Air Transportation - Singapore, Singapore
Duration: 1 Jul 20244 Jul 2024

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference on Research in Air Transportation
Abbreviated titleICRAT 2024
Country/TerritorySingapore
CitySingapore
Period1/07/244/07/24

Keywords

  • drones
  • system
  • interactions
  • U-Space
  • ATM
  • layers

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