Assessing avionics-based GNSS integrity augmentation performance in UAS mission- and safety-critical tasks

Roberto Sabatini, Terry Moore, Chris Hill, Subramanian Ramasamy

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

The integration of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) integrity augmentation functionalities in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) has the potential to provide an integrity-augmented Sense-and-Avoid (SAA) solution suitable for cooperative and non-cooperative scenarios. In this paper, we evaluate the opportunities offered by this integration, proposing a novel approach that maximizes the synergies between Avionics Based Integrity Augmentation (ABIA) and UAS cooperative/non-cooperative SAA architectures. When the specified collision risk thresholds are exceeded, an avoidance manoeuvre is performed by implementing a heading-based differential geometry or pseudospectral optimization to generate a set of optimal trajectory solutions free of mid-air conflicts. The optimal trajectory is selected using a cost function with minimum time constraints and fuel penalty criteria weighted for separation distance. The optimal avoidance trajectory also considers the constraints imposed by the ABIA in terms of UAS platform dynamics and GNSS satellite elevation angles (plus jamming avoidance when applicable), thus preventing degradation or loss of navigation data during the Track, Decision and Avoidance (TDA) process. The performance of this Integrity-Augmented SAA (IAS) architecture was evaluated by simulation case studies involving cooperative and non-cooperative platforms. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed IAS architecture is capable of performing high-integrity conflict detection and resolution when GNSS is used as the primary source of navigation data.

Original languageBritish English
Title of host publication2015 International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems, ICUAS 2015
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages650-659
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9781479960101
DOIs
StatePublished - 7 Jul 2015
Event2015 International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems, ICUAS 2015 - Denver, United States
Duration: 9 Jun 201512 Jun 2015

Publication series

Name2015 International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems, ICUAS 2015

Conference

Conference2015 International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems, ICUAS 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityDenver
Period9/06/1512/06/15

Keywords

  • Avionics based integrity augmentation
  • Global navigation satellite system
  • Obstacle avoidance
  • Obstacle detection
  • Sense-and-avoid
  • Unmanned aircraft

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