US 9,524,648 B1 · Countermeasures for threats to an uncrewed autonomous vehicle

Abstract

Uncrewed autonomous vehicles (“UAVs”) may navigate from one location to another location. Described herein are systems, devices, and methods providing countermeasures for threats that may compromise the UAVs. A plurality of UAVs may establish a mesh network to distribute information to one another. A first UAV may receive external data from a second UAV using the mesh network. The external data may be used to confirm or cross-check data such as location, heading, altitude, and so forth. Disagreement between data generated by the first UAV with external data from the second UAV may result in the determination that the first UAV is compromised. Remedial actions may be taken, such as the first UAV may be directed to a safe location to land or park, may receive commands from another UAV, and so forth.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of operating an uncrewed autonomous vehicle (“UAV”) comprising:

establishing, at the UAV via a communication interface, communication with a mesh network comprising a plurality of other UAVs;
generating first location data of the UAV using a first navigation system onboard the UAV, wherein the first location data indicates a first location of the UAV;
receiving external data from one or more of the plurality of other UAVs in the mesh network;
generating second location data using a second navigation system, wherein the second location data indicates a second location of the UAV;
determining that the first location data differs from the second location data by a threshold value;
determining operation of the UAV is compromised based at least in part on the external data;
transitioning to a fail-safe mode wherein the UAV is configured to disregard one or more of commands, the first location data, or the second location data;
and
transmitting alert data indicative of:
the compromise of the UAV;
and
last available location data of the UAV.

9 more elements

A system comprising:

a communication interface;
a memory storing computer-executable instructions;
and
a hardware processor in communication with the communication interface and the memory, the hardware processor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to:
establish communication between a first uncrewed autonomous vehicle (“UAV”) and a second UAV;
access first parameter data associated with a first system of the first UAV;
receive second parameter data from the second UAV;
compare the first parameter data with the second parameter data;
and
determine operation of the first UAV is compromised.

7 more elements

A first uncrewed autonomous vehicle (“UAV”) comprising:

a communication interface;
one or more directional antennas exhibiting gain in a predetermined direction;
a first navigation system configured to generate location data;
a memory storing computer-executable instructions;
and
a hardware processor in communication with the communication interface and the memory, the hardware processor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to:
receive a signal;
determine a direction of the signal using the one or more antennas;
access source data indicative of an expected location of a source of the signal;
based at least in part on one or more of the location data or the source data, determine an expected direction of the signal;
determine a difference between the direction and the expected direction;
determine operation of the first UAV is compromised;
and
transmit alert data indicative of:
the compromise of the first UAV;
and
last available location data of the first UAV.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Countermeasures for threats to an uncrewed autonomous vehicle

Life of this patent

Countermeasures for threats to an uncrewed autonomous vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20