Air traffic control of unmanned aerial vehicles for delivery applications

A control system for delivering a package via an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the control system comprising:

• a processor and a network interface communicatively coupled to one another;
• and
• memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
• communicate with the UAV via one or more wireless networks;
• maintain data received from the UAV in association with a flight of the UAV during delivery of the package;
• control the UAV based on the maintained data, air traffic, and a signal strength between the UAV and the one or more networks, and adjust a flight path of the UAV in response to at least one of signal degradation and signal loss between the UAV and the one or more wireless networks;
• confirm a delivery location is clear for package delivery;
• and
• instruct the UAV to deliver the package.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for delivering a package, the UAV comprising:

• hardware and antennas adapted to communicate with one or more wireless networks;
• a processor communicatively coupled to the hardware and antennas;
• and
• memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
• communicate with a control system via one or more wireless networks;
• obtain and send data to the control system in association with a flight of the UAV during delivery of the package;
• control the UAV in conjunction with control instructions received from the control system based on the sent data and air traffic, and a signal strength between the UAV and the one or more networks, the control including causing the UAV to operate only where wireless communication coverage by the one or more wireless networks exists by adjusting a flight path of the UAV in response to at least one of signal degradation and signal loss between the UAV and the one or more wireless networks;
• receive confirmation that a delivery location is clear for package delivery from the control system;
• and
• deliver the package.