UAV Precision landing Systems
UAVLAS (Unmanned Arial Vehicles Landing Assistance Systems) is a group of systems assisting the landing of vertical take-off / landing vehicles and fixed-wing UAVs. The system consists of several types of devices - onboard receivers, processors and a ground emitters (beacon), communication and navigation units. The system operates in the infrared. The beacon forms a virtual grid of positions above itself; the receiver, guided by the current grid square, decides its location relative to the lighthouse.
Ground module
The ground module is equipped with a matrix of light emitting diodes, which works in the infrared range. The special arrangement of the LEDs allows the device to form a virtual grid in the space above it, with an aperture of more than 50 degrees (for ULS-XCOPTER). A specially developed radiation algorithm can significantly reduce the consumption of the device, while maintaining maximum efficiency and range of the system. The small system consumption - this allows the emitter to work more than 30 hours continuously from a single battery. The ground module has an indication that displays the current state of the device.
The on-board module
The on-board module has small dimensions. This allows you to easily place it on almost any aircraft. A small weight (less than 10 grams for ULS-XCOPTER ) and low power consumption will save the aircraft a great deal of energy in maintaining this system. The field of view of the sensor is more than 100 degrees - this allows the receiver to “see” the ground module, even with the large inclinations of the aircraft. Special technical solutions allow the receiver to be sensitive while having good resistance to extraneous noise.
Advantages
- Does not require an additional height sensor. The system allows you to independently determine the distance to the lighthouse. This provides the possibility of landing on a site whose height is significantly higher relative to the surrounding terrain.
- Small overall size and low power consumption. It takes up little space on an aircraft and saves energy resources. The ground part can work for a long time on an autonomous power source.
- The system is invariant to the position of the drone. The formation of the information about the angular position of the apparatus occurs on the ground. Accordingly, the roll, pitch and course of the aircraft do not affect the readings. This allows landing in gusty winds and strong vibrations of the apparatus.
- It is possible to change the approach path by changing the slope of the transmitting beacon. This allows landing in places limited by a vertical obstacle (for example, a platform on the wall).