Unmanned Aerial Traffic Management System Architecture for U-Space In-Flight Services

Capitán, Carlos; Pérez-León, Héctor; Capitán, Jesús; Castaño, Ángel; Ollero, Aníbal · 2021 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.3390/app11093995

archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified

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Summary

This paper addresses the critical need for automated decision-making in Unmanned Aerial Traffic Management (UTM) systems, specifically within the European U-space ecosystem. While existing UTM solutions and commercial platforms primarily focus on pre-flight services like registration and flight planning, there is a significant gap in handling real-time, in-flight operations. The authors identify that current systems lack the capability to autonomously manage unexpected conflicts and emergencies during the flight phase, relying instead on human operators for conflict resolution. To bridge this gap, the paper proposes a novel, open-source software architecture designed to provide automated in-flight services, including tracking, monitoring, emergency management, and tactical deconfliction. The proposed system is built upon the Robot Operating System (ROS) middleware, selected for its modularity, scalability, and support for distributed processes. The architecture is organized around a central U-space Service Manager (USM) that acts as an interface between the UTM system and external stakeholders, such as legal authorities and UAS operators. The core functionality is delivered through four specific modules: Tracking, which updates the position and trajectory of UAS; Monitoring, which maintains a real-time situational awareness of the airspace; Emergency Management, which handles threats and activates geofences; and Tactical Deconfliction, which generates automated resolution maneuvers. These modules interact with a central Database that stores flight plans, tracks, and active geofences. The design adheres to guidelines emphasizing digital communication, flexibility, and safety, allowing the system to abstract from specific UAS technologies. To validate the architecture, the authors conducted experiments using a realistic simulation setup involving multi-UAS operations. The tests were designed to mimic real-world conditions, including communication issues and remote operator locations. Two distinct use cases were executed to demonstrate the system's ability to manage conflicting events in real time. The results showed that the UTM system successfully tracked aerial operations, monitored the airspace, and performed automated tactical deconfliction and emergency management without human intervention. The system effectively handled unexpected conflicts, proving the feasibility of the proposed modular architecture in managing complex, dynamic airspace scenarios. The significance of this work lies in its contribution to the development of scalable, automated UTM systems required for the safe integration of drones into civil airspace. By providing an open-source, modular framework that focuses on in-flight services, the paper offers a foundational tool for researchers and developers to implement and extend U-space functionalities. The demonstrated capability for automated conflict resolution addresses a major limitation in current UTM solutions, paving the way for more efficient and safe large-scale UAS operations. The architecture’s flexibility allows for future integration of additional services as the U-space ecosystem evolves through its planned deployment phases.

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