An integrated system for aircraft measurement, control, and sensing

Abstract

This application discloses an integrated system for aircraft measurement, control, and sensing, comprising N antenna nodes and a baseband resource pool. The baseband resource pool includes a switching unit, M baseband processing units, and a control unit. The N antenna nodes are simultaneously connected to the switching unit, each of which is connected to one of the M baseband processing units. The M baseband processing units are simultaneously connected to the control unit. The beneficial effects of this application are: it enables the integrated application of measurement, control, and sensing functions across different dimensions, such as the same antenna node, same beam, and same frequency resources. It solves the problems of high cost-effectiveness, large information interaction delays, difficult resource scheduling, and low aircraft control efficiency caused by the separation of existing measurement, control, and sensing equipment. By optimizing and sharing hardware, processing resources, and space-time-frequency resources for measurement, control, and sensing functions, it achieves efficient collaboration between measurement, control, and sensing functions, resulting in sensing-assisted measurement and control, and measurement and control enhancing sensing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of aircraft measurement, control and communication, and specifically relates to an integrated system for aircraft measurement, control and sensing. Background Technology

[0002] With the large-scale construction of low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellations both domestically and internationally, the number of LEO satellites in the space requiring tracking and control is rapidly increasing. A complex network of cooperative and non-cooperative satellites creates intricate "space traffic," and effective space traffic management is a prerequisite for the stable and orderly operation of satellites and other spacecraft. Spacecraft tracking, telemetry, and command (TT&C) systems provide TT&C services for satellites, missiles, rockets, drones, and other spacecraft. The space-to-ground TT&C communication link established between these systems is the "lifeline" of the spacecraft and the only way to achieve "space traffic management."

[0003] Current spacecraft telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) systems lack sensing capabilities and cannot directly acquire real-time status information of non-cooperative targets or cooperative targets not connected to the TT&C link. Information exchange between the TT&C system and existing sensing systems is time-consuming and inefficient, hindering rapid closed-loop control based on space target status quo. This presents significant technical challenges for managing space traffic in large-scale low-Earth orbit constellations.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to study the integrated technology of aircraft measurement, control and sensing. By integrating measurement, control and sensing functions from different dimensions such as the same antenna node, the same beam and the same frequency resources, we can solve the problems of high cost-effectiveness, large information interaction delay, difficulty in resource scheduling and low aircraft management efficiency caused by the separation of existing measurement, control and communication systems and sensing systems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this application is to address the problems of high cost-effectiveness, large information interaction latency, difficulty in resource scheduling, and low aircraft management efficiency caused by the separation of existing telemetry, control and communication systems and sensing systems. This application provides an integrated telemetry, control and sensing system for aircraft. By optimizing and sharing hardware, processing resources, and space-time-frequency resources for telemetry, control and sensing functions, it achieves efficient collaboration between telemetry, control and sensing functions, and realizes the effects of sensing assisting telemetry and control and telemetry and control enhancing sensing, thereby improving the management efficiency of low-orbit satellite constellations, UAV swarms and other aircraft clusters.

[0006] The objective of this application is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0007] An integrated system for measurement, control, and sensing of an aircraft includes N antenna nodes and a baseband resource pool. The baseband resource pool includes a switching unit, M baseband processing units, and a control unit. The N antenna nodes are simultaneously connected to the switching unit, the switching unit is connected to each of the M baseband processing units, and the M baseband processing units are simultaneously connected to the control unit.

[0008] Furthermore, the switching unit enables data transmission between any antenna node and any baseband processing unit, as well as between any two baseband processing units; the baseband processing unit provides FPGA, DSP, GPU and CPU processing resources to realize individual processing of baseband signal processing functions for measurement and control, data transmission, spectrum sensing, active detection and passive detection functions, or to realize fusion processing between baseband signal processing functions.

[0009] Furthermore, the antenna nodes simultaneously form multiple receiving and transmitting beams, pointing towards different spatial directions, to simultaneously realize the measurement, control, and sensing functions of multiple targets. One antenna node works independently to realize the data transmission, measurement, control, and spectrum sensing functions of the target; four antenna nodes work together to realize the passive detection function of the target; and five antenna nodes work together to realize the active detection function of the target. The system is configured with no less than five antenna nodes to realize the integration of five functions: measurement, control, data transmission, spectrum sensing, passive detection, and active detection.

[0010] Furthermore, the antenna node adopts a digital phased array antenna, including T array element channels. Each array element channel includes array elements, T / R components, DA / AD, frequency conversion, filtering and variable sampling modules connected in sequence. All variable sampling modules are simultaneously connected to the framing / framing module, which is then connected to the UDP transmission module.

[0011] Furthermore, in the signal receiving direction, T array elements simultaneously receive T signals, which are then processed sequentially by the R component, AD converter, downconversion, filtering, and downsampling. These signals are then uniformly framed to form received data packets, which are finally transmitted to the back-end switching unit via UDP. In the signal transmitting direction, the UDP transmission module receives the transmit data packets sent by the switching unit, splits them into T data streams, and then processes them through upsampling, filtering, upconversion, DA converter, and the T component, before radiating them out through the T array elements.

[0012] Furthermore, the framing / framing module uses a first-in-first-out memory to buffer the received data packets after framing. The memory is triggered to start fetching data at a fixed time when receiving and transmitting data packets, thereby achieving coupling between the received data packets and the transmitted data packets and eliminating the impact of latency jitter introduced by UDP transmission on the measurement and control functions.

[0013] Furthermore, the baseband processing unit includes a UDP transmission module, a beamforming module, and a function processing module connected in sequence; the UDP transmission module is connected to the switching unit to realize the transmission and reception of UDP data; the beamforming module realizes the generation of transmit waveforms and receive waveforms, and supports the generation of multiple antenna nodes and multiple signal waveforms; the function processing module is connected to the control unit to transmit the processed information to the control unit and receive the control parameters issued by the control unit.

[0014] Furthermore, the functional processing modules include active detection transmit signal processing, data transmission receive signal processing, spectrum sensing signal processing, telemetry and control signal processing, active detection receive signal processing, and passive detection receive signal processing modules. The active detection transmit signal processing module generates the radiated signal stream of one antenna node, the telemetry and control signal processing module processes the transmit and receive signal streams of one antenna node, the data transmission receive signal processing module and the spectrum sensing signal processing module process the received signal stream of one antenna node, and the active detection receive signal processing and passive detection receive signal processing modules simultaneously process the received signal streams of four antenna nodes.

[0015] Furthermore, the baseband processing unit has various types of processing resources, which can be configured into different processing functions according to the control parameters of the management and control unit. Any baseband processing unit can be configured with multiple UDP transmission modules, beamforming modules and function processing modules, and the function processing modules of the same baseband processing unit can be configured to perform one or more function processing.

[0016] Furthermore, the control unit is connected to the baseband processing unit, receives service information obtained by the baseband processing unit, and sends control parameters to the baseband processing unit. Through the fusion processing of different service information, it realizes the coordination between different antenna nodes and between different functions, and further achieves the effect of perception-assisted measurement and control and measurement and control-enhanced perception. The control unit provides human-machine interaction functions, and users can perform system control in two ways: remote and local. It can uniformly manage system equipment and monitor the status of antenna nodes, switching units, and baseband processing units.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this application are: it can realize the integrated application of measurement, control, and sensing functions in different dimensions such as the same antenna node, the same beam, and the same frequency resources, and solve the problems of high cost-effectiveness, large information interaction latency, difficult resource scheduling, and low aircraft management efficiency caused by the separation of existing measurement, control and sensing equipment. By optimizing and sharing hardware, processing resources, and space-time-frequency resources for measurement, control and sensing functions, it achieves efficient collaboration between measurement, control and sensing functions, and the effect of sensing assisting measurement and control and measurement and control enhancing sensing. It can be applied to scenarios such as low-orbit satellite constellations, aerospace unmanned swarms, and swarm drones, and improves the system's measurement, control and management capabilities for aircraft swarms. It has broad application prospects in the fields of low-orbit Internet and low-altitude economy.

[0018] The aforementioned main solution and its various further alternatives can be freely combined to form multiple solutions, all of which are solutions that can be adopted and are claimed in this application; furthermore, the (non-conflicting alternatives) can also be freely combined with each other and with other alternatives. Those skilled in the art, after understanding the solution of this application, will realize from the prior art and common general knowledge that there are many combinations, all of which are technical solutions to be protected by this application, and will not be exhaustively listed here. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of the components of this application.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of the antenna node composition in this application.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of the baseband processing unit in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The following non-limiting embodiments are used to illustrate this application.

[0023] Example

[0024] refer to Figure 1 As shown, an integrated system for measurement, control, and sensing of an aircraft includes N antenna nodes and a baseband resource pool. The baseband resource pool includes a switching unit, M baseband processing units, and a control unit. All N antenna nodes are simultaneously connected to the switching unit, each of which is connected to one of the M baseband processing units. The M baseband processing units are also simultaneously connected to the control unit.

[0025] The switching unit enables data transmission between any antenna node and any baseband processing unit, as well as between any two baseband processing units (high-speed data transmission, up to hundreds of Gbps). The baseband processing unit provides FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and CPU (Central Processing Unit) processing resources to realize individual processing of baseband signal processing functions for measurement and control, data transmission, spectrum sensing, active detection, and passive detection, or to realize fused processing between baseband signal processing functions.

[0026] The antenna nodes simultaneously form multiple receiving and transmitting beams, aligned with different spatial directions, enabling simultaneous measurement, control, and sensing of multiple targets. One antenna node operates independently, achieving data transmission, measurement, control, and spectrum sensing of the target; four antenna nodes work collaboratively to achieve passive target detection; and five antenna nodes work collaboratively to achieve active target detection. The system is configured with no fewer than five antenna nodes, integrating measurement, control, data transmission, spectrum sensing, passive detection, and active detection functions.

[0027] refer to Figure 2As shown, the antenna node adopts a digital phased array antenna, including T array element channels. Each array element channel includes array elements, T / R components (Transmitter and Receiver), DA / AD (Digital-to-Analog / Analog-to-Digital), frequency conversion, filtering, and variable sampling modules connected in sequence. All variable sampling modules are also connected to the framing / framing module, which is then connected to the UDP (User Datagram Protocol) transmission module.

[0028] In the signal reception direction, T array elements simultaneously receive T signals, which are then processed sequentially by the R component, AD converter, downconversion, filtering, and downsampling. These signals are then framed to form received data packets, which are finally transmitted to the backend switching unit via UDP. In the signal transmission direction, the UDP transmission module receives the transmit data packets from the switching unit, splits them into T data streams, and these streams are then processed sequentially by upsampling, filtering, upconversion, DA converter, and the T component before being radiated out through the T array elements.

[0029] The framing / framing module uses a first-in-first-out memory to buffer the received data packets after framing. The memory is triggered to start fetching data at a fixed time when receiving and transmitting data packets, thereby achieving coupling between the received data packets and the transmitted data packets and eliminating the impact of latency jitter introduced by UDP transmission on the measurement and control functions.

[0030] refer to Figure 3 As shown, the baseband processing unit includes a UDP transmission module, a beamforming module, and a function processing module connected in sequence. The UDP transmission module is connected to the switching unit to realize the transmission and reception of UDP data; the beamforming module realizes the generation of transmit waveforms and receive beamforms, and supports the generation of multiple antenna nodes and multiple signal waveforms; the function processing module is connected to the control unit, transmits the processed information to the control unit, and receives control parameters issued by the control unit.

[0031] The functional processing modules include active detection transmit signal processing, data transmission receive signal processing, spectrum sensing signal processing, telemetry and control signal processing, active detection receive signal processing, and passive detection receive signal processing modules. The active detection transmit signal processing module generates the radiated signal stream of one antenna node, the telemetry and control signal processing module processes the transmit and receive signal streams of one antenna node, the data transmission receive signal processing module and the spectrum sensing signal processing module process the received signal stream of one antenna node, and the active detection receive signal processing and passive detection receive signal processing modules simultaneously process the received signal streams of four antenna nodes.

[0032] The baseband processing unit has various types of processing resources, which can be configured into different processing functions according to the control parameters of the management and control unit. Any baseband processing unit can be configured with multiple UDP transmission modules, beamforming modules, and functional processing modules. The functional processing modules of the same baseband processing unit can be configured to perform one or more functional processing (i.e., one or more of the following: active detection transmission signal processing, data transmission reception signal processing, spectrum sensing signal processing, telemetry and control signal processing, active detection reception signal processing, and passive detection reception signal processing).

[0033] The control unit is connected to the baseband processing unit, receives the service information obtained by the baseband processing unit, and sends control parameters to the baseband processing unit. Through the fusion processing of different service information, it realizes the coordination between different antenna nodes and the coordination between different functions, and further achieves the effect of perception-assisted measurement and control and measurement and control-enhanced perception.

[0034] The control unit provides human-machine interaction functions, allowing users to manage the system remotely and locally, and to uniformly manage system equipment and monitor the status of antenna nodes, switching units, and baseband processing units.

[0035] When applied to low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, this system automatically adapts to both cooperative and non-cooperative satellites. For cooperative satellites, the system schedules one or more antenna nodes to perform spectrum sensing of the satellite's downlink signals, completing satellite signal analysis, identification, and authentication. When the satellite requires access, the system schedules antenna nodes and baseband processing units, configuring them with the resources required for telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) or data transmission functions. A TT&C and data transmission link is established between the antenna nodes and the satellite to enable autonomous satellite access. Furthermore, the system combines the service information obtained from TT&C signal processing and data transmission signal processing to achieve on-orbit status management of the cooperative satellite.

[0036] For non-cooperative satellites, when the satellite radiates signals to the ground, the system schedules four antenna nodes as passive detection receiving nodes. With the cooperation of a baseband processing unit configured for passive detection signal processing, passive detection signal reception and processing are achieved. When the satellite does not radiate signals to the ground, the system schedules one antenna node as an active detection transmitting node. With the cooperation of a baseband processing unit configured for active detection signal processing, active detection signal transmission is achieved. The system also schedules four antenna nodes as active detection receiving nodes, with the cooperation of a baseband processing unit configured for active detection signal processing, to achieve active detection signal reception and processing. The system analyzes the position, orbit, and radio characteristics of non-cooperative satellites through active / passive detection functions, further enabling situational awareness and anomaly assessment of non-cooperative targets. When anomalies are detected in non-cooperative targets that pose a threat to cooperative targets, the system can quickly schedule antenna nodes and baseband processing units to achieve telemetry and control functions, establish a telemetry and control link with cooperative satellites, and control cooperative satellites to perform protective and evasive actions.

[0037] The foregoing basic examples and their further alternative examples can be freely combined to form multiple embodiments, all of which are embodiments that can be adopted and claimed in this application. In the scheme of this application, each alternative example can be arbitrarily combined with any other basic example and alternative example.

[0038] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An integrated system for aircraft measurement, control, and sensing, comprising N antenna nodes and a baseband resource pool, characterized in that: The baseband resource pool includes a switching unit, M baseband processing units, and a control unit; N antenna nodes are simultaneously connected to the switching unit, the switching unit is connected to each of the M baseband processing units, and the M baseband processing units are simultaneously connected to the control unit. The switching unit enables data transmission between any antenna node and any baseband processing unit, as well as between any two baseband processing units. The baseband processing unit provides FPGA, DSP, GPU, and CPU processing resources to realize individual processing of baseband signal processing functions for measurement and control, data transmission, spectrum sensing, active detection, and passive detection, or to realize fusion processing between baseband signal processing functions. The antenna nodes simultaneously form multiple receiving and transmitting beams, pointing towards different spatial directions, enabling simultaneous measurement, control, and sensing of multiple targets. One antenna node can operate independently, achieving data transmission, measurement, control, and spectrum sensing of the target; four antenna nodes can work together to achieve passive target detection; and five antenna nodes can work together to achieve active target detection. The system is configured with no fewer than five antenna nodes, integrating five functions: measurement, control, data transmission, spectrum sensing, passive detection, and active detection. The antenna node adopts a digital phased array antenna, which includes T array element channels. Each array element channel includes array elements, T / R components, DA / AD, frequency conversion, filtering and variable sampling modules connected in sequence. All variable sampling modules are connected to the framing / framing module, which is then connected to the UDP transmission module. The baseband processing unit includes a UDP transmission module, a beamforming module, and a function processing module connected in sequence. The UDP transmission module is connected to the switching unit to realize the transmission and reception of UDP data. The beamforming module realizes the generation of transmit waveforms and receive waveforms, and supports the generation of multiple antenna nodes and multiple signal waveforms. The function processing module is connected to the control unit to transmit the processed information to the control unit and receive the control parameters issued by the control unit.

2. The integrated aircraft measurement, control, and sensing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the signal receiving direction, T array elements simultaneously receive T signals, which are then processed sequentially by the R component, AD converter, downconversion, filtering, and downsampling. The signals are then uniformly framed to form received data packets, which are finally transmitted to the back-end switching unit via UDP. In the signal transmitting direction, the UDP transmission module receives the transmit data packets sent by the switching unit, splits them into T data streams, and then processes them through upsampling, filtering, upconversion, DA converter, and the T component, before radiating them out through the T array elements.

3. The integrated aircraft measurement, control, and sensing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The framing / framing module uses a first-in-first-out memory to buffer the received data packets after framing. The memory is triggered to start fetching data at a fixed time when receiving and transmitting data packets, thereby achieving coupling between the received data packets and the transmitted data packets and eliminating the impact of latency jitter introduced by UDP transmission on the measurement and control functions.

4. The integrated aircraft measurement, control, and sensing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The functional processing module includes active detection transmit signal processing, data transmission receive signal processing, spectrum sensing signal processing, telemetry and control signal processing, active detection receive signal processing, and passive detection receive signal processing modules. The active detection transmit signal processing module generates the radiated signal stream of one antenna node, the telemetry and control signal processing module processes the transmit and receive signal streams of one antenna node, the data transmission receive signal processing module and the spectrum sensing signal processing module process the received signal stream of one antenna node, and the active detection receive signal processing module and the passive detection receive signal processing module simultaneously process the received signal streams of four antenna nodes.

5. The integrated aircraft measurement, control, and sensing system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The baseband processing unit has various types of processing resources, which can be configured into different processing functions according to the control parameters of the management and control unit. Any baseband processing unit can be configured with multiple UDP transmission modules, beamforming modules and function processing modules. The function processing modules of the same baseband processing unit can be configured to perform one or more function processing.

6. The integrated aircraft measurement, control, and sensing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control unit is connected to the baseband processing unit, receives service information from the baseband processing unit, and sends control parameters to the baseband processing unit. Through the fusion processing of different service information, it realizes the coordination between different antenna nodes and between different functions, and further achieves the effect of perception-assisted measurement and control and measurement and control-enhanced perception. The control unit provides human-machine interaction functions, and users can manage the system remotely and locally, manage the system equipment in a unified manner, and monitor the status of antenna nodes, switching units, and baseband processing units.

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