Collision free 4D path planning for multiple UAVs based on spatial refined voting mechanism and PSO approach

In this paper, a four-dimensional coordinated path planning algorithm for multiple UAVs is proposed, in which time variable is taken into account for each UAV as well as collision free and obstacle avoidance. A Spatial Refined Voting Mechanism(SRVM) is designed for standard Particle Swarm Optimization(PSO) to overcome the defects of local optimal and slow convergence.For each generation candidate particle positions are recorded and an adaptive cube is formed with own adaptive side length to indicate occupied regions. Then space voting begins and is sorted based on voting results, whose centers with bigger voting counts are seen as sub-optimal positions. The average of all particles of corresponding dimensions are calculated as the refined solutions. A time coordination method is developed by generating specified candidate paths for every UAV, making them arrive the same destination with the same time consumption. A spatial-temporal collision avoidance technique is introduced to make collision free. Distance to destination is constructed to improve the searching accuracy and velocity of particles. In addition, the objective function is redesigned by considering the obstacle and threat avoidance, Estimated Time of Arrival(ETA), separation maintenance and UAV self-constraints. Experimental results prove the effectiveness and efficiency of the algorithm.

A survey of safety separation management and collision avoidance approaches of civil UAS operating in integration national airspace system

Recent years have witnessed a booming of the industry of civil Unmanned Aircraft System(UAS).As an emerging industry,the UAS industry has been attracting great attention from governments of all countries and the aviation industry.UAS are highly digitalized,informationized,and intelligent;therefore,their integration into the national airspace system has become an important trend in the development of civil aviation.However,the complexity of UAS operation poses great challenges to the traditional aviation regulatory system and technical means.How to prevent collisions between UASs and between UAS and manned aircraft to achieve safe and efficient operation in the integrated operating airspace has become a common challenge for industry and academia around the world.In recent years,the international community has carried out a great amount of work and experiments in the air traffic management of UAS and some of the key technologies.This paper attempts to make a review of the UAS separation management and key technologies in collision avoidance in the integrated airspace,mainly focusing on the current situation of UAS Traffic Management(UTM),safety separation standards,detection system,collision risk prediction,collision avoidance,safety risk assessment,etc.,as well as an analysis of the bottlenecks that the current researches encountered and their development trends,so as to provide some insights and references for further research in this regard.Finally,this paper makes a further summary of some of the research highlights and challenges.

The exploration and practice of low-altitude airspace flight service and traffic management in China

Due to the inherent nature of being highly digitalized,networked and intelligent,Unmanned Aerial System(UAS)operations pose a huge challenge to traditional aviation regulation and technical systems.How to keep safe,efficient and integrated operation for different Airspace users has become a pressing issue faced by civil aviation around the world.This paper focuses on the main operational scenarios and characteristics of unmanned aviation development in China.New operational characteristics and associated challenges due to diverse low-altitude users are analyzed,including operation concepts,UAS traffic management,technological test and verification,and standards.Drawing light on the practices in Europe and the United States,this paper summarizes China's practices and progress in low-altitude operations management,and analyzes future technological development needs and trends,as well as feasible implementation pathways and measures based on actual needs.