Abstract: A system and method for estimating the magnitude and phase of magnetic and electrical currents in a power line comprising at least one processor operating to create a model of the power line and derive expected complex magnetic and electric-field values; at least one memory; at least one sensor positioned proximate to the at least one power line for sensing and providing measurements of the magnetic and electric fields of the at least one power line; the at least one processor operating to compute a set of complex magnetic and electric field values based upon the measurements provided by the at least one sensor and to estimate parameters related to the complex voltage and/or current of the at least one power line based upon the measured field values and the set of expected complex electric current and voltage values derived from a model of at least one power line.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to power line detection, and more particularly, to methods and systems for autonomous power line detection, avoidance, navigation, and inspection. They may be implemented using aerial crafts, but do not have to. According to an embodiment, a method for detecting energized power lines in ambient space in the vicinity of an aerial craft is presented. The method includes measuring, with sensors located on the aerial craft, electric and magnetic fields in the space; and with a power line detection controller, detecting an energized power line in the space in the vicinity of the aerial craft using the sensor data; and determining the orientation of the detected energized power line in the space based on the electric and magnetic field measurements. Similar methods and systems are also presented.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to power line detection, and more particularly, to methods and systems for autonomous power line detection, avoidance, navigation, and inspection. They may be implemented using aerial crafts, but do not have to. According to an embodiment, a method for detecting energized power lines in ambient space in the vicinity of an aerial craft is presented. The method includes measuring, with sensors located on the aerial craft, electric and magnetic fields in the space; and with a power line detection controller, detecting an energized power line in the space in the vicinity of the aerial craft using the sensor data; and determining the orientation of the detected energized power line in the space based on the electric and magnetic field measurements. Similar methods and systems are also presented.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating the magnitude and phase of magnetic and electrical currents in a power line comprising at least one processor operating to create a model of the power line and derive expected complex magnetic and electric-field values; at least one memory; at least one sensor positioned proximate to the at least one power line for sensing and providing measurements of the magnetic and electric fields of the at least one power line; the at least one processor operating to compute a set of complex magnetic and electric field values based upon the measurements provided by the at least one sensor and to estimate parameters related to the complex voltage and/or current of the at least one power line based upon the measured field values and the set of expected complex electric current and voltage values derived from a model of at least one power line.