Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Flight Safety Improvement Using In-Flight Awareness

• 作者: André L. P. Mattei Engenharia S. A. Orbital Claudio F. M. Toledo Jesimar da Silva Arantes Onofre Trindade Jr.
• 来源期刊: 智能信息管理(英文)
• 学科: 农学
• 关键词: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Air Safety Systems-Theoretic Process Analysis In-Flight Awareness
• 年，卷（期）: 2021,（2）
• 页码范围: 97-123
• 页数: 27页
• 分类号: S85

摘要

This paper presents a novel onboard system called In-Flight Awareness Augmentation System (IFA²S) to improve flight safety. IFA²S is designed to semi-automatically (with human supervision) avoid hazards and accidents due to either internal or external causal factors. The requirements were defined in an innovative way using Systems-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) method and applied next to model the system. IFA²S increases aircraft awareness regarding both itself and its environment and, at the same time, recognizes platform and operational constraints to act in accordance to predefined decision algorithms. Results are presented through simulations and flight tests using state machines designed to allow the adoption of appropriate actions for the identified hazards. The different decision algorithms are evaluated over as many as possible hazard situations by simulations conducted with software Labview and XPlane flight simulator. Flight tests are performed in a small fixed wing aircraft and make use of a limited version IFA²S, partially attending identified requirements. Results support the conclusion that IFA²S is capable of improving flight safety.