The present disclosure relates to the field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and, more specifically, to an obstacle avoidance control method for UAV, a radar system, and a UAV.
In conventional technology, a UAV generally includes a detecting device. The detecting device can be used to detect objects around the UAV, such as detecting obstacles around the UAV, to prevent the UAV from colliding with the obstacles.
In conventional technology, the detecting device carried on the UAV generally includes a visual sensor and an ultrasonic sensor. The resolution of the visual sensor is relatively high, however, the visual sensor can be easily affected by the environment. In the environment where visibility is low, the detection distance of the visual sensor can be limited. The ultrasonic sensor is less affected by the environment, however, the ultrasonic sensor has a relative short detection and a relatively low resolution.
As such, a detection method that is neither affected by the environment, has high resolution, and has a long detection distance is needed.
A first aspect of the present disclosure provides an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) obstacle avoidance control method. The method includes: controlling a rotation device to perform a continuous rotation that drives a radar detecting device to rotate continuously. The rotation device is disposed on a body of a UAV and carries the radar detecting device. The method also includes: acquiring detection information of the radar detecting device during the continuous rotation; and controlling the UAV to fly based on the detection information.
A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a radar system that includes a radar detecting device and a rotation device. The rotation device is disposed on a body of a UAV and carries the radar detecting device. The rotation device is configured to drive the radar detecting device to continuously rotate. When the rotation device drives the radar detecting device to continuously rotate, the radar detecting device is configured to scan and detect an obstacle around the UAV.
In order to illustrate the technical solutions in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure more clearly, the accompanying drawings to be used for describing the embodiments are introduced briefly in the following. It is apparent that the accompanying drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present disclosure. Persons of ordinary skill in the art can obtain other accompanying drawings in accordance with the accompanying drawings without any creative efforts.
Technical solutions of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It will be appreciated that the described embodiments represent some, rather than all, of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Other embodiments conceived or derived by those having ordinary skills in the art based on the described embodiments without inventive efforts should fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
It should be noted that, when a component is referred to as being “fixed to” another component, the component can be directly fixed to the other component or an intermediate component may exist. When a component is regarded to be “connected” to another component, the component can be directly connected to the other component or an intermediate component may exist.
Unless otherwise defined, all the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same or similar meanings as generally understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. As described herein, the terms used in the specification of the present disclosure are intended to describe exemplary embodiments, instead of limiting the present disclosure. The term “and/or” used herein includes any suitable combination of one or more related items listed.
Exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless a conflict exists, the embodiments and features of the embodiments can be combined.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for controlling an obstacle avoidance of a UAV.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the radar detecting device 12 may include a control circuit board 121 and one or more radio frequency (RF) antennas, and the control circuit board 121 and the one or more RF antennas may be electrically connected. More specifically, the radar detecting device 12 may include a control circuit board 121, a first RF antenna 122, and a second RF antenna 123. In particular, the control circuit board 121 may be disposed between the first RF antenna 122 and the second RF antenna 123.
As shown in
In some embodiments, an angle between the board surface of the RF antenna and the board surface of the control circuit board may be a predetermined angle. As shown in
In addition, as shown in
The radar system 11 may be mounted on the UAV in various manners.
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
S601, controlling the rotation device to continuously rotate, so as to drive, by the rotation device, the radar detecting device to continuously rotate. In other words, the rotation device is controlled to perform a continuous rotation which drives the radar detecting device to continuously rotate.
The execution body of the method of this embodiment may be a flight controller of a UAV, or other general-purpose or dedicated processors. The present embodiment is described using a flight controller as an example.
As shown in
S602, acquiring detection information of the radar detecting device during the continuous rotation.
During the continuous rotation of the radar detecting device 12, the flight controller of the UAV 30 may acquire the detection information of the radar detecting device 12 in real time. For example, as shown in
S603, controlling the flight of the UAV based on the detection information.
In some embodiments, the flight controller of the UAV 30 may control the UAV 30 to fly based on the detection information of the radar detecting device 12. For example, the flight controller of the UAV 30 may control the UAV to avoid obstacles.
In some embodiments, the radar detecting device 12 may detect a target object around the UAV using a digital beam forming (DBF). As shown in
In some embodiments, the UAV may include an agricultural UAV. That is, the radar system 11 described in this embodiment can be specifically applied to an agricultural UAV. In some embodiments, the radar system 11 can also be applied to other UAVs other the agricultural UAV.
In the present embodiment, the rotation device of the radar system may be controlled by the UAV to continuously rotate the rotation device. During the continuously rotation of the rotation device, the rotation device may drive the radar detecting device of the radar system to continuously rotate. The UAV may control the flight of the UAV based on the detection information of the radar detecting device during the continuously rotation of the rotation device. The continuous rotation of the radar detecting device can allow the detection of farther and wider areas. Further, a continuously rotating scanning radar may be more adaptable to the environment with a higher scanning resolution.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for controlling an obstacle avoidance of a UAV. On the basis of the embodiment shown in
As shown in
On the basis of
In some embodiments, the radar detecting device may be configured to detect one or more of an obstacle in front of, behind, or above the UAV.
In some embodiments, the detection information includes one or more of a distance, a speed, a direction, or a height of the obstacle relative to the UAV.
As shown in
In the present embodiment, controlling the flight of the UAV based on the detection information may be implemented in various manners.
In some embodiments, the UAV may be controlled to avoid the obstacle based on the detection information. After controlling the UAV to avoid the obstacle, the UAV may be further controlled to return to a predetermine route. As shown in
In some embodiments, the predetermined route and/or pre-planned agricultural operation information may be adjusted based on the detection information, and the UAV may be controlled to continue the flight operation based on the adjusted route and/or the agricultural operation planning information.
More specifically, the flight controller may also be configured to adjust the route of the agricultural UAV operation, such as the length, width, and spacing of the route, based on the detection formation of the radar detecting device during the continuous rotation. Further, the flight controller may also be configured to adjust the planning information of an agricultural operation, such as the spray route, spray time, etc. When the flight controller adjusts the route of the agricultural UAV operation and/or the planning information of the agricultural UAV operation, the agricultural UAV may be controlled to continue the flight operation based on the adjusted route and/or planning information.
In the present embodiment, the radar detecting device may be vertically mounted on top of the body of the UAV through the rotation device to detect one or more obstacles in front of, behind, or above the UAV. The flight controller may be used to control the UAV to avoid obstacles based on the detection information of the radar detecting device to improve the safety of the flight of the UAV. Alternatively, the flight controller may be used to adjust the operation route and operation planning information of the UAV based on the detection information of the radar detecting device, thereby realizing the flexibility of the UAV operation control.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for controlling an obstacle avoidance of a UAV. On the basis of the embodiment shown in
As shown in
In some embodiments, a beam indicating the maximum detection direction of the radar detecting device and the yaw axis of the UAV may be at a predetermined angle.
In some embodiments, the detection may include one or more of a height of the UAV from the ground or a terrain of the ground below the UAV within a predetermined angle. As shown in
In the present embodiment, controlling the flight of the UAV based on the detection information may be implemented in various manners.
In some embodiments, the flight height of the UAV may be controlled based on the height of the UAV from the ground. More specifically, the flight controller of the UAV may be configured to control the flight height of the UAV based on the height H of the UAV from the ground detected by the radar system 11.
In some embodiments, the UAV may be controlled to perform terrain tracking based on the terrain of the ground below the UAV within the predetermined angle.
As shown in
In addition, the flight controller can also control a climbing acceleration of the UAV when controlling the UAV to perform terrain tracking. For example, the climbing acceleration of the UAV may be A, the terrain angle may be α1, the angle of the radar system relative to the ground may be α2, the horizontal velocity of the UAV may be Vhs, and the radar measuring oblique distance may be L. When the radar measuring oblique distance is L/2, the climbing acceleration of the UAV may be Vvs=tan α1*Vhs, otherwise, the UAV may collide with the ground. The response time of the UAV may be tRD, that is, the time when the radar measuring oblique distance changes from L to L/2. During the response time tRD, the UAU needs to increase the climbing speed from 0 to Vvs. As such, the climbing acceleration of the UAV may be
In addition, if
then
In the present embodiment, the radar detecting device may be horizontally mounted under the body of the UAV through the rotation device to detect the height of the UAV from the ground and the terrain of the ground below the UAV within a predetermined angle. The flight controller may be used to control the flight height of the UAV based on the detection information of the radar detecting device and control the UAV to perform terrain tracking, thereby improving the safety of the agricultural UAV during operation.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a radar system. As shown in
In some embodiments, the radar detecting device may include a control circuit board and one or more radio frequency (RF) antennas, and the control circuit board and the one or more RF antennas may be electrically connected.
In some embodiments, an angle between the board surface of the RF antenna and the board surface of the control circuit board may be a predetermined angle.
In some embodiments, the radar detecting device may include a control circuit board, a first RF antenna, and a second RF antenna, and the control circuit board may be disposed between the first RF antenna and the second RF antenna.
In some embodiments, the rotation device may include a turntable configured to carry the radar detecting device, an ESC board electrically connected to a motor for driving the motor to rotate and control a rotation state of the motor, and an interface board electrically connected to the ESC board and/or the radar detecting device. In some embodiments, the motor may be used to drive the turntable to rotate, and the interface board may be used for an external electrical connection.
In some embodiments, the radar detecting device may detect a target object around the UAV using a digital beam forming (DBF).
The radar system may be mounted on the UAV in various manners.
In some embodiments, the radar detecting device may be vertically mounted above the body of the UAV through the rotation device, and the rotating axis of the radar detecting device may be parallel to the yaw axis of the UAV. The specific details are shown in
In some embodiments, the radar detecting device may be configured to detect one or more of an obstacle in front of, behind, or above the UAV.
In some embodiments, the detection information includes one or more of a distance, a speed, a direction, or a height of the obstacle relative to the UAV.
In some embodiments, the radar detecting device may be horizontally mounted under the body of the UAV through the rotation device, and the rotating axis of the radar detecting device may be perpendicular to the yaw axis of the UAV. The specific details are shown in
In some embodiments, the maximum detection direction of the radar detecting device and the yaw axis direction of the UAV may be at a predetermined angle.
In some embodiments, the detection may include one or more of a height of the UAV from the ground or a terrain of the ground below the UAV within a predetermined angle.
The specific principles and implementation manners of the radar system provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure are similar to the embodiment shown in
In the present embodiment, the rotation device of the radar system may be controlled by the UAV to continuously rotate the rotation device. During the continuously rotation of the rotation device, the rotation device may drive the radar detecting device of the radar system to continuously rotate. The UAV may control the flight of the UAV based on the detection information of the radar detecting device during the continuously rotation of the rotation device. The continuous rotation of the radar detecting device can allow the detection of farther and wider areas. Further, a continuously rotating scanning radar may be more adaptable to the environment with a higher scanning resolution.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a UAV.
In the present embodiment, the specific principles and implementation manners of the radar system 1218 are similar to the previous embodiments, and details are not described herein again. In addition, the specific principles and implementation manners of the flight controller 1218 are similar to the previous embodiments, and details are not described herein again.
In addition, as shown in
In the present embodiment, the rotation device of the radar system may be controlled by the UAV to continuously rotate the rotation device. During the continuously rotation of the rotation device, the rotation device may drive the radar detecting device of the radar system to continuously rotate. The UAV may control the flight of the UAV based on the detection information of the radar detecting device during the continuously rotation of the rotation device. The continuous rotation of the radar detecting device can allow the detection of farther and wider areas. Further, a continuously rotating scanning radar may be more adaptable to the environment with a higher scanning resolution.
In the several embodiments provided by the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method may be implemented in other manners. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the unit division is merely logical function division and there may be other division in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be omitted or not be executed. In addition, the mutual coupling or the direct coupling or the communication connection as shown or discussed may be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and may be in electrical, mechanical or other forms.
The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated. The components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, may be located in one place or may also be distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the objectives of the solution in the disclosure.
In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present disclosure may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of hardware plus software functional unit.
The above-described integrated unit implemented in the form of a software functional unit may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The software function unit is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, a network device, etc.) or a processor to execute some steps of the method according to each embodiment of the present disclosure. The foregoing storage medium includes a medium capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash disk, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, an optical disc, or the like.
Those skilled in the art may clearly understand that, for convenience and brevity of description, the division of the foregoing functional modules is only used as an example. In practical applications, however, the above function allocation may be performed by different functional modules according to actual needs. That is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional modules to accomplish all or part of the functions described above. For the working process of the foregoing apparatus, reference may be made to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, and details are not described herein again.
Finally, it should be noted that the foregoing embodiments are merely intended for describing the technical solutions of the present disclosure, but not to limit the present disclosure. Although the present disclosure is described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments may still be modified, or a part or all of the technical features may be equivalently replaced without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. As a result, these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions depart from the scope of the technical solutions of the present disclosure.
This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2017/108561, filed on Oct. 31, 2017, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/CN2017/108561 | Oct 2017 | US |
Child | 16857921 | US |