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

TL;DR

This paper proposes a digital twin-based flight control system for eVTOLs in advanced air mobility, utilizing 6G SIM technology and a composite potential field approach to enhance communication and safety.

Contribution

It introduces a novel digital twin framework integrating SIM communication with flight control using a composite potential field method for improved safety and efficiency.

Findings

Increases transmission rate by 8.3% over benchmarks.

Reduces flight corridor deviation by 10%.

Validates effectiveness through simulation results.

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.