3) Planning Module
The Planning Module (PM) manages UA flight plans and thus can be considered as the core of the Drone Delivery System. PM has a direct link with LM and, based on delivery plans, prepares flight plans for UAS operations. Prepared flight plan comprises all relevant information the UAS operator needs for on-time execution of goods delivery:
- departure and arrival points location (address)
- shipment size/weight
- UAS technical characteristics
- airspace availability and restricted zones
- meteorological conditions
- load and charging stations availability.
Based on those inputs, PM picks the UA with the best match to the set criteria and calculates trajectory, Estimated Time of Delivery (ETD) and Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) for the chosen UA.
Planning module can predict for operators near future system capacity load. Having complete list of flying UAs with confirmed orders flying UAs and owns thanks to complete overview of UA fleet occupancy and can predict for operators near future system capacity load.
