Systems and methods for small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) tactical tracking and mission data acquisition

US8886459B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ARINC Incorporated · US

Inventors

• Rolf Stefani · West River, US
• John Francis Eid · Severna Park, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 11, 2013
• Grant date: Nov 11, 2014
• Expiry date: Apr 30, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G08G5/57
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A system and method are provided to support accommodating safe integration of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUASs) into the National Airspace Structure in the United States. A specifically-tailored service is provided to address a change of paradigm from aircraft-based avionics/capabilities to a ground-based solution centered on the sUAS control station that is typically employed to manage an sUAS mission and/or flight. Appropriate software, server and system components are integrated into an interactive, easy-to-use, web-based tool that provides interested parties with real-time, graphical flight-following information to acquire position information regarding an sUAS platform from the control console for the sUAS platform. The acquired position information is forwarded to a separate server that can augment and provide graphical display of the sUAS intended route of flight (flight planned route). The acquired position information for the sUAS is converted to a format commonly used by aviation and air traffic control systems.