Digital Twin-based SIM Communication and Flight Control for Advanced Air Mobility

2025-01-03

AI Summary

To address the challenges of highly reliable air-to-ground communication and safe collaborative control for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft operating in urban low-altitude airspace, this study proposes a digital twin-enabled integrated framework combining intelligent metasurfaces (SIMs) for communication and flight control. We innovatively design a composite potential field (CPF) method that dynamically couples target guidance, obstacle avoidance, and communication-quality potentials. Furthermore, we pioneer the application of 6G-oriented stacked SIMs to jointly optimize beam tracking and precise trajectory following, integrating phase-programmable beam steering with air-to-ground cooperative communication modeling. Experimental results demonstrate that, compared to conventional potential field methods, the proposed approach achieves an 8.3% improvement in system throughput, reduces trajectory deviation from the designated corridor by 10%, and significantly enhances both communication robustness and flight safety.

Technology Category

• Multiagent Systems: Agent Communication
• Search and Optimization: Sampling/Simulation-based Search
• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Optimization of Spatio-temporal Systems

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Web applications in cross-disciplinary domains and verticals such as mixed reality, smart cities, and digital health
• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy
• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: User modeling and simulation for interactive and conversational systems

Abstract

Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing vehicles (eVTOLs) are driving Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) toward transforming urban transportation by extending travel from congested ground networks to low-altitude airspace. This transition promises to reduce traffic congestion and significantly shorten commute times. To ensure aviation safety, eVTOLs must fly within prescribed flight corridors. These corridors are managed by ground-based Air Traffic Control (ATCo) stations, which oversee air-ground communication and flight scheduling. However, one critical challenge remains: the lack of high rate air-ground communication and safe flight planning within these corridors. The introduction of 6G-oriented Stacked Intelligent Metasurface (SIM) technology presents a high rate communication solution. With advanced phase-shifting capabilities, SIM enables precise wireless signal control and supports beam-tracking communication with eVTOLs. Leveraging this technology, we propose a Composite Potential Field (CPF) approach. This method dynamically integrates target, separation, and communication fields to optimize both SIM communication efficiency and flight safety. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of this DT-based approach. Compared to the potential field flight control benchmark, it improves the transmission rate by 8.3%. Additionally, it reduces flight distance deviation from the prescribed corridor by 10% compared to predetermined optimization methods.

Problem

• eVTOLs
• urban air mobility
• air-ground communication

Innovation

• Digital Twin Technology
• 6G Communication Technology (SIM)
• Advanced Flight Control Method (CPF)