Implementation of navigation of unmanned aircraft in the ground-based radiotechnical systems coverage area

Аuthors

Goncharenko Y. V.

State Air Traffic Management Corporation of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia

e-mail: goncharenko.ya.v@yandex.ru

Abstract

Currently, there is an active expansion of the possibilities of using unmanned aircraft, which is a serious challenge in terms of flight safety, implying a combination of regulatory and technical measures, including the phased safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into airspace and the creation of UAS traffic management system.
In order to maintain an adequate level of flight safety for manned aircraft, it becomes necessary to develop rules and procedures for the use of airspace by unmanned aircraft systems.
It is necessary to monitor each UAS flight, establish rules and procedures for air traffic, procedures for interaction with other aircraft, and apply a wide range of procedures related to reducing the consequences caused by unforeseen circumstances for UAS flights in general airspace.
Guided by the principles of implementing measures to avoid risks caused by unpredictable traffic, UAS flights require the creation of a multi-level fixed route network. This network must exclude intersections with routes used by manned aircraft. 
Landing pads should be the only possible place for takeoff and landing of unmanned aircraft. A landing pad can be a simple take-off/landing point, or a hub with multiple landing pads, charging stations, waiting areas, unloading areas, and other facilities.
The basis of the navigation field for ensuring flights of unmanned aircraft in the Russian Federation is the global navigation satellite system, which includes the GLONASS and GPS satellite constellations.
Providing navigation with ground-based radio equipment for UAS flights will be an alternative method in case of violation of the integrity of the field of the global navigation satellite system.
The article analyzes the coverage areas of radio-technical systems installed in a certain position. A digital terrain model was used to estimate the closing angle of antenna. Based on the calculation of the zones of operation and working areas of radio navigation equipment, the possibility of navigation of unmanned aircraft in the area of operation of ground-based radio systems has been identified.
The methodology used to determine the areas of operation of radio equipment takes into account the influence of terrain, however, the safe navigation of unmanned aircraft using traditional ground-based radio systems is possible only if appropriate on-board equipment is available after testing and flight verification.

Keywords:

coverage, closing angle, digital elevation model, position of radio system

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