Research
Safe and Scalable Trajectory Planner for AAM Operations
Developing a trajectory planning algorithm that scales to a high number of aircraft while maintaining safety guarantees is critical for high-density airspace. This work introduces a correct-by-construction approach that combines reachability analysis and Markov decision processes to achieve safe and scalable real-time trajectory planning.
In-Time Safety Management of AAM Operations
Ensuring the safety of AAM operations requires assessing hazards that affect the safety of the flight mission pre-departure. This project introduces an energy-efficient trajectory planner and a model-based prognostics approach to assess the risk that arises from insufficient battery energy and other environmental factors such as winds.
Securing High-Density Urban Airspaces
As AAM operations become increasingly networked and autonomous, cybersecurity emerges as a fundamental safety concern. In this work, I develop methods and algorithms to identify vulnerabilities in AAM systems and design defense strategies against cyberattacks to improve system-level resilience and security.
Real-Time Flight Mission Feasibility Assessment
Ensuring flight safety for small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) requires continuous in-flight monitoring and decision-making, as unexpected events can occur during flight. In this work, we present an online feasibility assessment and contingency management framework that continuously monitors the aircraft's battery state and the energy required to complete the flight in real-time.
Energy-Aware Strategic Traffic Management for UAM
We propose a strategic traffic management framework that explicitly accounts for the energy constraints of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles. By integrating energy consumption models into the traffic flow management process, we ensure that flights are not only de-conflicted but also operate within safe energy margins.
Energy Demand Analysis for eVTOL Charging Stations in UAM
Understanding the energy infrastructure requirements is critical for the successful deployment of urban air mobility. This work analyzes the electrical load requirements for eVTOL charging stations, considering flight frequency, vehicle turnaround times, and battery characteristics to inform grid integration planning and ensure reliable operations.
