Navigating UAVs in formation

Details Navigating UAVs in formation Navigating UAVs in formation

2005-01-24

2008-12-23

Camby, Richard M. (Department: 3661)

Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location

Navigation

Employing way point navigation

C701S213000, C701S003000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07469183

ABSTRACT:
Navigating UAVs in formation, including assigning pattern positions to each of a multiplicity of UAVs flying together in a pattern; identifying a waypoint for each UAV in dependence upon the UAV's pattern position; piloting the UAVs in the pattern toward their waypoints in dependence upon a navigation algorithm, where the navigation algorithm includes repeatedly comparing the UAV's intended position and the UAV's actual position and calculating a corrective flight vector when the distance between the UAV's actual and intended positions exceeds an error threshold. The actual position of the UAV may be taken from a GPS receiver on board the UAV.

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