Solutions
Strategic Conflict Resolution and Separation Management Service
SPATIO develops advanced U-space services to provide a solution in a multi-USSP environment. In this case, strategic phase services: Strategic Conflict Detection (SCD) and Strategic Conflict Resolution (SCR) services. These advanced services are integrated with a complementary and centralised service: U-space Separation Management (USM), which provides information regarding the U-space airspace, as well as the protection volume to be applied to flight plans. Moreover, SPATIO proposes a set of fairness rules, which apply to UAS operator. The integration of all these concepts optimises the management of unmanned flight plan distribution.
This solution targets the class G airspaces segregated from manned aviation, so that unmanned aircrafts can operate in Very Low-Level (VLL) airspaces in rural, suburban, and urban scenarios.
With this solution, SPATIO provides benefits to main users of U-space Service Providers (operators and pilots) in terms of access and equity by using fairness rules, mission efficiency and capacity by optimising the airspace with the SCD and SCR services.
Dynamic Capacity Management service
SPATIO addresses some functionalities of the Dynamic Capacity Management (DCM) service: among others, the detection of hotspots associated with collision risks, as well as environmental and social impact, and then, the resolution of those hotspots using a set of pre-defined Demand and Capacity Balancing (DCB) measures. These hotspots are intrinsically governed by Separation Minima information provided by a centralised service: the U-space Separation Management service.
This solution is designed for segregated class G airspaces where interaction with manned aviation is not expected due to the Very-Low Level (VLL) U-space airspaces. SPATIO addresses rural, suburban, and urban scenarios where social impact is key, especially in the last two environments.
With this solution, SPATIO benefits citizens and society by balancing the capacity based on environmental and safety aspects with the collision risk, environmental and social impact models developed.
Tactical Conflict Prediction, Resolution and Implementation
SPATIO Solution 2A aims to deliver ground-based services that provide separation management at a tactical level, namely Tactical Conflict Prediction (TCP) and Tactical Conflict Resolution (TCR) services, working collaboratively with the Strategic Conflict Resolution services already in place.
The TCP retrieves the separation minima relative to the U-space of interest from the U-space Separation Management (USM) service; subsequently, its role is to predict potential conflicts between cooperative U-space operations (including manned flights). The airspace of interest is the Very Low-Level (VLL) airspace, in class G, assuming the conspicuity of the involved flights. U-space achieves conspicuity through non-visual means, such as electronic methods.
After a conflict is predicted, the TCR service is responsible for providing conflict-free resolutions and monitoring their implementation. Pilot engagement in this phase is fundamental: instructions are communicated interactively to ensure acknowledgment and bilateral understanding of the proposed steps.
Solution 2A considers a multi-U-space Service Provider (USSP) environment, where several concurrent separators operate in uncontrolled airspace. The goal of ground-based separation provision is to enhance safety and capacity for a given airspace compared to a U-space airspace where only strategic services are available.
Tactical conflict prediction, resolution and implementation with onboard extension
SPATIO Solution 2B aims to deliver ground-based services that provide separation management at a tactical level, specifically Tactical Conflict Prediction (TCP) and Tactical Conflict Resolution (TCR) services, working collaboratively with the already established Strategic Conflict Resolution services.
Solution 2B takes a step further compared to Solution 2A. As mentioned, pilot engagement is fundamental in order to implement the suggested resolutions; accordingly, a monitoring process will assess if action is being taken in a timely manner. Nonetheless, it may happen that the operator fails/is incapacitated to acknowledge and implement the proposed steps. In situations like these, minimal corrective instructions (e.g., hover) will be sent directly on-board of the UAV through a dedicated link to mitigate as much as possible the risk of conflict: the pilot is expected to always be vigilant during the resolution process, hence liable to implement the corrective actions for the whole duration of the resolution. Indeed, he/she is expected to regain control of the UAV at any moment.
Compared to Solution 2A, the direct on-board implementation of corrective actions can provide an additional layer of safety, especially in those cases where communication channels are partially reliable, or the pilot/operator could become incapacitated.
Solution 2B also considers a multi-U-space Service Provider (USSP) environment, where several concurrent separators operate in uncontrolled airspace. The goal of ground-based separation provision is to enhance safety and capacity for a given airspace compared to a U-space airspace where only strategic services are available.