To achieve the SADE vision in practice we address the following technical challenges (TC1-TC3). Jump directly to TC2 or TC3.
TC1: Automated Permission Authorization Requests (PARs)
We will develop a solution for replacing the non-scalable, time-consuming process of manually evaluating sUAS Permission Authorization Requests (PARs) with a fully automated solution that grants, denies, or issues probationary access almost instantaneously for both simple and complex flight requests with full transparency about the decision. (View TC1 subtopics here)
TC2: Scalable, multi-sUAS Simulation Environment
Address existing bottlenecks in delivering a highly scalable and realistic multi-sUAS simulation environment for training and validating the DRP during the research phase of this work, and subsequently supporting sUAS operators and manufacturers in developing, testing, and validating their own sUAS software systems in a multi-sUAS SADE environment. (View TC2 subtopics here)
TC3: Resolve challenging real-world problems of deploying SADE in the physical world environment with UTM integration, supported by a specialized onboard integrated circuit for reliable and fast message exchange (Chirps), and enhance the physical environment with an sUAS ‘proving ground’ for onboarding new sUAS. (View TC3 subtopics here)
To keep the scope of work within the costs and time-line of a three-year project, we limit security aspects to integrity-protected encryption, CHIRP messages, and integrating safeguards that makes it difficult for operators to modify flight data before its analysis and storage on the tamper-proof blockchain.