Autonomous UAV Collision Avoidance

Various approaches have been proposed for UAVs to detect and avoid collision with other aircraft. This approach detects the low-frequency sound of approaching aircraft to detect and to determine bearings and range. During phase 1 the processing hardware and software were integrated with a UAV and simulation based on real acoustic data from flight tests validated the capability of this concept. In Phase 2 improved processing algorithms will be implemented on an improved digital signal processor. A flight quality sensor system will be installed on a medium-sized UAV and flight tested in collision scenarios against a General Aviation aircraft. Full flight envelope tests will be conducted. Integrated with a flight control computer to perform an avoidance maneuver, the Passive Acoustic Non-Cooperative Collision Alert System (PANCAS) should be operational and implemented in a system that supports the size, weight, power, and cost needs for small UAVs operating in shared airspace.