Same-track UAS separation requirement evaluation with Monte-Carlo based collision risk modeling

• Main Authors: Wang, John Chung Hung, Deng, Chao, Low, Kin Huat
• Other Authors: AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Engineering::Aeronautical engineering::Air navigation; Unmanned Aerial System
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/164800
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

With the increasing demand for UAS operations, the traffic density handled by the UTM system is expected to increase markedly over the next few years. This increase in traffic density, especially near transport hub or population centers, and the recent increase in UAS flight time could mean simple strategic separation assurance by spacing out approved flight time (temporal segregation) would longer be feasible. To determine the separation needed to prevent mid-air collision for UAS, specifically multirotor, traveling along the same track, a modified Reich collision risk model with multirotor specific flight dynamics and Monte-Carlo method was used. Preliminary analysis utilized open-field navigation performance to create a puck-shaped collision volume for the leading UAS and the measured flight technical error to create the outer-bound for deviation from assigned track for the follower UAS; a look-ahead time of 20 s was used in this simulation. Additional collision risk modeling with different encounter geometries and navigational performance are planned. The simulation results could contribute to the establishment of general separation minima for UTM or could lead to a model for determining separation distance on a pair-wise bases while accounting for communication, navigation, and surveillance performance that could be offered by the UTM service provider for the area of operation