UAV Detect and Avoid from UTM-Dependent Surveillance

Abstract

A hierarchical unmanned aircraft system (UAS) traffic management (UTM) system has deployed 45 ground transceiver stations (GTS) for UAS services in Taiwan. This UTM system covers most areas for UAV-dependent surveillance using ADS-B Like technology. UTM Controller can monitor all UAV flights under transparent surveillance in low airspace. Controller-initiated UAV “detect and avoid” (DAA) mechanism assists UAV separation to ensure flight safety on UTM for small multirotor UAVs. From similar concept to traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) for the manned aircraft system, the UTM software executes DAA functions to generate approach alerts to UTM Controller. Conflict is detected by heading arrow extrapolation from multiple approaching UAVs by their time to conflict (TTC) on icons. Traffic advisory (TA) and resolution advisory (RA) are pronounced on UTM console to controllers. The less priority UAV pilot will receive the controller-pilot communication (CPC) to perform avoidance resolution. In UTM, the surveillance data period is broadcasting at 5~8 seconds on LoRa (long-range wide-area network) chip. Referring to TA=48 seconds and RA=24 seconds, the signal delay in ADS-B Like system to UTM server is about 0.5 seconds and CPC response is measured about 3~5 seconds. From real flight tests, the RA is enough for the less priority pilot to maneuver UAV for avoidance. From real flight tests, the proposed DAA mechanism based on UTM-dependent surveillance is feasible to resolve multiple approaches. The developing UTM system using ADS-B Like technology is also examined of high availability with redundant reliability and performance stability for flight safety.