Controlled range and payload for unmanned vehicles, and associated systems and methods

摘要

The presently disclosed technology is directed generally to unmanned vehicle systems and methods configured to satisfy a first set of export control regulations, such as those within the jurisdiction of one government entity or international body (e.g., the U.S. Department of Commerce) without falling within the purview of a second set of export control regulations, such as export control regulations within the jurisdiction of another government entity or international body (e.g., the U.S. Department of State). Through limited range of operation, limited payload types, limited capabilities, and tamper-proof or tamper-resistant features, embodiments of the unmanned vehicle system are designed to fall within the purview and under control of one agency and not within the purview and under control of another agency.

主权项

1. A method, performed by a computing system of an unmanned aerial vehicle, for ensuring that the unmanned aerial vehicle complies with specified export control requirements throughout the operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle, the method comprising:
storing an indication of an initial specification of the unmanned aerial vehicle, the initial specification of the unmanned aerial vehicle specifying initial configuration information and an identification for each of a plurality of tamper-resistant trusted components of the unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the initial configuration of the unmanned aerial vehicle is in compliance with the specified export control requirements and wherein at least one of the trusted components is configured to ensure that the range of the unmanned aerial vehicle does not exceed a predetermined distance; receiving a request to operate the unmanned aerial vehicle; in response to receiving the request to operate the unmanned aerial vehicle, for each of the plurality of trusted components of the unmanned aerial vehicle,
querying the trusted component of the unmanned aerial vehicle for current configuration information, wherein communication with the trusted component of the unmanned aerial vehicle is encrypted,receiving an indication that the trusted component of the unmanned aerial vehicle is not present within the unmanned aerial vehicle or that the configuration of the trusted component of the unmanned aerial vehicle has been modified since the initial specification was stored, andin response to receiving the indication that the trusted component of the unmanned aerial vehicle is not present within the unmanned aerial vehicle or that the configuration of the trusted component of the unmanned aerial vehicle has been modified since the initial specification was stored, modifying the operation of the unmanned aerial vehicle; receiving an indication that the unmanned aerial vehicle is at least a predetermined distance from a launch location or that communication between the unmanned aerial vehicle and a control station has been lost; and in response to receiving the indication that the unmanned aerial vehicle is at least the predetermined distance from the launch location or that communication between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the control station has been lost, modifying a path of the unmanned aerial vehicle.