A lightweight non-intrusive integrated extension module for drones

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of unmanned aerial vehicle electronic system integration and communication interface control, and discloses a lightweight non-intrusive integrated expansion module for an unmanned aerial vehicle, which comprises a power supply control module, a network switching module, a serial port server module, a control processing module, an I / O control module and a standard interface module; the power supply control module is used for connecting external power supply and performing voltage conversion to provide working voltage for other modules; and the network switching module is used for providing multiple network interfaces to realize network data exchange between multiple devices. The application adopts a bypass plug-in architecture, is completely decoupled from an existing flight control system, does not need to weld, cut or transform the hardware circuit of the flight control, does not need to modify the firmware program or parameter configuration in the flight control, ensures that even if the module appears failure, power failure or abnormality, the original connection between the flight control and the main communication link still maintains physical communication and protocol integrity, and the aircraft can still be safely flown and controlled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) electronic system integration and communication interface control technology, and in particular to a lightweight module that integrates power management, network switching, serial communication forwarding and I / O control in a non-intrusive manner (without modifying flight control hardware or software), which can be used for functional expansion of UAVs, unmanned vehicles and other embedded platforms. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems typically consist of a flight control module, a communication module, a mission payload, and a power management module. These modules are connected by fixed cables, and the flight control system outputs control signals (such as PWM, RS232, CAN, etc.) directly to the mission payload or communication equipment. Existing technologies mainly fall into the following categories: Centralized control architecture: The flight control system integrates the mission interface, serial port, and power control module; some models support GPIO or CAN expansion. Advantages include high system integration and low control latency. Disadvantages include fixed flight control interfaces and protocols, lack of support for user-defined expansion; requiring modification of the flight control firmware to implement new control logic or peripheral access; and inability to perform independent network management or protocol conversion for mission equipment. External communication expansion modules: Commonly include external RS232-to-network modules, independent switch modules, and independent relay modules. Advantages include the ability to achieve certain extended control functions. Disadvantages include a dispersed structure, complex wiring, large size and weight; each module requires separate connections for power, communication, and ground, resulting in poor reliability; lack of a unified control center, difficulty in inter-module coordination, and complex debugging. Modified embedded control systems involve some manufacturers modifying flight controller hardware or firmware to embed mission logic processing into the flight controller. The advantages are high functional integration and efficient control. The disadvantages are that it's an invasive modification that can disrupt the original stability of the flight controller system; incorrect modifications can lead to decreased system safety or even flight controller failure; and it lacks versatility, making it difficult to adapt to different models of flight controllers or mission equipment.

[0003] The aforementioned existing technologies mainly suffer from the following problems: serious intrusive issues, most extended control functions require modification of flight control firmware or interfaces, affecting system stability; complex structure and cumbersome wiring, multiple independent modules need separate power supply and communication, resulting in low space utilization; inconsistent interfaces and protocols, different mission payloads use different protocols such as RS232, TTL, Ethernet, etc., lacking a unified middleware layer; difficult debugging and maintenance, each mission equipment replacement or function modification requires rewiring or code modification, and there is no completely consistent lightweight and modular equipment design. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the shortcomings of existing UAV function expansion solutions proposed in the background art, such as high risk of intrusive modification, complex structure and cumbersome wiring, inconsistent interface protocols and difficulties in debugging and maintenance, the present invention provides a lightweight non-intrusive integrated expansion module for UAVs, which has the advantages of strong non-intrusive compatibility, simplified structure, reduced weight, strong versatility and scalability, and solves the technical problems proposed in the background art.

[0005] This invention provides the following technical solution: a lightweight, non-intrusive integrated expansion module for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), comprising a power control module, a network switching module, a serial port server module, a control processing module, an I / O control module, and a standard interface module; the power control module is used to connect to an external power supply and perform voltage conversion to provide operating voltage for other modules; the network switching module is used to provide multiple network interfaces to realize network data exchange between multiple devices; the serial port server module is used to realize bidirectional conversion between serial communication protocols and network communication protocols; the control processing module, as the core processing unit, is communicatively connected to the network switching module and is used to perform protocol conversion, logic control, and data processing; the I / O control module is electrically connected to the control processing module and is used to perform input / output operations according to the control signals sent by the control processing module; the standard interface module includes at least one serial communication interface and... At least one network interface is provided. The standard interface module adopts a non-intrusive bypass architecture. The serial communication interface is connected in parallel to the original serial communication link of the flight control system in a bypass manner, so that the original data stream sent by the flight control system is simultaneously sent to the original communication link and the serial port server module. The original communication link of the flight control system maintains physical connectivity and protocol integrity without being interfered with or interrupted by the module, and the original communication link remains intact. The power control module is electrically connected to the network switching module, the serial port server module, the control processing module, and the I / O control module to provide operating power. The serial port server module is communicatively connected to the serial communication interface in the standard interface module and the network switching module to convert data from the serial communication interface into network data and send it to the network switching module, or to convert network data from the network switching module into serial data and send it to the serial communication interface.

[0006] Preferably, the power control module includes a wide-voltage input circuit, at least one DC-DC buck converter circuit, an overcurrent protection circuit, and a voltage monitoring circuit; the wide-voltage input circuit is used to connect a DC power supply from 9V to 30V, the DC-DC buck converter circuit is used to convert the input voltage into a preset stable output voltage, the preset stable output voltage including one or more of 5V, 12V, and 24V, the overcurrent protection circuit is used to provide overcurrent protection for each output voltage, and the voltage monitoring circuit is used to monitor the input voltage and / or each output voltage in real time and send the monitoring data to the control processing module; The power control module has redundant power input interfaces, supports two independent external power inputs, and has an automatic switching function. When one input power fails, it automatically switches to the other input power.

[0007] Preferably, the network switching module includes a lightweight Ethernet switching chip that supports Gigabit Ethernet communication and IGMP protocol and multicast functionality.

[0008] Preferably, the serial port server module includes a serial-to-Ethernet chip and its peripheral circuitry, used to achieve transparent bidirectional conversion between RS232, RS422 or RS485 serial protocols and TCP / UDP network protocols; The communication connection between the serial port server module and the network switching module is an internal Ethernet connection, and the communication connection between the control processing module and the network switching module is also an internal Ethernet connection, so that the serial port server module, the control processing module and the external network device form an internal local area network through the network switching module; The serial communication interface in the standard interface module includes at least one of RS232, RS422 and RS485 interfaces, and the network interface is an RJ45 Ethernet interface.

[0009] Preferably, the control processing module is an embedded processing unit based on the ARM architecture, including a Raspberry Pi or a microcontroller unit (MCU). The embedded processing unit runs an embedded operating system and has a software interface for user-defined protocol conversion and logic control.

[0010] Preferably, the I / O control module includes at least one relay output circuit, at least one optocoupled isolated GPIO interface, and a power protection circuit; the relay output circuit is used to control the power supply of external devices, the optocoupled isolated GPIO interface is used to receive external switching signals or output control levels, and the power protection circuit is used to provide overcurrent and overvoltage protection for the external devices connected to the relay output circuit and the GPIO interface.

[0011] Preferably, the module is connected to the original serial communication interface of the flight control system and the external communication link in a bypass plug-in manner through the standard interface module, so that the original data stream of the flight control system is sent to the original communication link and the serial port server module at the same time, or is switched to the serial port server module for protocol conversion before being sent to the original communication link and the backup communication link.

[0012] Preferably, it also includes an aluminum alloy shielding shell and a vibration-damping mounting bracket. The power control module, network switching module, serial port server module, control processing module, I / O control module and standard interface module are all integrated inside the aluminum alloy shielding shell. The vibration-damping mounting bracket is used to fix the shell to the UAV body.

[0013] Preferably, the control processing module accesses the UAV communication link through the network switching module, receives remote control commands, and performs at least one of the following operations according to the remote control commands: configuring the protocol conversion parameters of the serial port server module, controlling the output status of the I / O control module, reading the voltage monitoring data of the power control module, and reporting the voltage monitoring data or module operating status to the ground station. The control processing module is also used to, according to preset task logic, poll external sensors connected to the network interface through the network switching module, or poll external serial port devices connected to the serial communication interface through the serial port server module, and report the collected data through the communication link after protocol conversion.

[0014] Preferably, all internal circuits of the module are arranged on the same printed circuit board (PCB) to achieve lightweight and high integration.

[0015] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. This invention employs a bypass plug-in architecture, achieving complete decoupling from existing flight control systems. No soldering, wire cutting, or modification of the flight control hardware circuitry is required, nor is any modification to the flight control's internal firmware or parameter configuration necessary. The module connects to the flight control's original serial communication link in parallel via a Y-cable or T-connector, merely copying or monitoring the data stream without interrupting or interfering with the original signal transmission. This design ensures that even if the module malfunctions, experiences a power outage, or malfunctions, the original connection between the flight control and the main communication link remains physically connected and protocol intact, allowing the aircraft to continue flying safely and under control. Therefore, this invention can be directly plugged into existing flight platforms, rapidly expanding functionality without introducing any safety risks, significantly reducing system integration risks and maintenance barriers. It is particularly suitable for flight platforms that have already been finalized or certified for airworthiness. 2. This invention deeply integrates multiple independent functional modules required for traditional UAV expansion into a single physical module, eliminating complex cable connections between modules through an integrated PCB design. Traditional discrete solutions typically require separate power, signal, and ground lines for each module, leading to messy internal wiring, increased weight, signal attenuation, and increased risk of electromagnetic interference. This invention integrates all internal circuits onto a single PCB, with inter-module communication achieved through internal buses or board-level traces, requiring only a small number of external interface lines. This significantly improves the UAV's payload capacity and space utilization, while also enhancing overall system reliability by reducing the number of connectors and cables.

[0016] 3. This invention incorporates comprehensive protection and redundancy mechanisms in its power and signal paths. The power control module features overcurrent protection, overvoltage protection, and undervoltage lockout functions to prevent damage to the internal circuitry from external power fluctuations or load short circuits. Simultaneously, the module supports two independent external power inputs and incorporates an ideal diode or MOSFET automatic switching circuit. In the event of a main power failure, it can seamlessly switch to the backup power supply within microseconds, ensuring continuous and stable module operation. Furthermore, the serial server module employs magnetic or optical coupling isolation between itself and external interfaces, and the network interface incorporates a network transformer to effectively block external high voltage or surges from impacting the internal core circuitry. The control processing module is also equipped with a hardware watchdog timer, which automatically resets and restores the configuration in the event of a software malfunction, ensuring reliability for long-duration flight missions.

[0017] 4. This invention is not only applicable to various types of drones, but can also be directly applied to unmanned vehicles, unmanned ships, robots, and other embedded mobile platforms. The module adopts standardized electrical interfaces and an open software architecture, supporting flexible adaptation to multiple communication protocols. At the physical layer, it provides RS232, RS422, RS485, TTL serial ports, and Gigabit Ethernet interfaces; at the network layer, it supports standard protocols such as TCP / UDP and IGMP multicast; at the application layer, users can customize protocol conversion rules through the software interface of the control processing module. This hardware-software decoupling design enables this invention to quickly adapt to different flight control systems and mission payloads, meeting multi-level needs from scientific research verification to industrial applications.

[0018] 5. All external interfaces of this invention use industry-standard connectors, eliminating the need for custom cables or adapters. The module comes pre-configured with universal default settings; users simply need to connect it to the flight control system via bypass, and data forwarding and protocol conversion will automatically begin upon power-up. For scenarios with special requirements, users can quickly modify configuration parameters through a web interface or simple AT commands, requiring no programming or specialized knowledge. Compared to traditional discrete module debugging that requires several hours, deployment efficiency is greatly improved, making it particularly suitable for field operations, rapid prototype verification, or batch modification scenarios.

[0019] 6. The built-in control processing module of this invention runs an embedded Linux operating system, enabling it to execute complex task logic locally. Users can define automated control flows on the module using graphical programming tools or Python / C++ scripts. These intelligent controls are all completed within the module without modifying the original control logic of the flight controller, thus endowing the UAV with mission-level intelligence without interfering with the flight control program.

[0020] 7. This invention incorporates a bidirectional monitoring and electrical isolation mechanism at the data link level, effectively preventing peripheral malfunctions from interfering with the flight control main channel. The serial server module employs optocoupler isolation technology, ensuring that even short circuits, high-voltage surges, or data storms affecting sensors, actuators, and other peripherals connected to the module do not impact the electrical characteristics of the flight control serial port pins. The network switching module supports port isolation and storm suppression, limiting the proliferation of broadcast data packets and ensuring bandwidth priority for the flight control data channel. Furthermore, the module features fault self-diagnosis and reporting functions. When a peripheral communication malfunction or power output overload is detected, it proactively reports an alarm via the communication link and automatically disconnects the faulty branch if necessary. This multi-layered protection mechanism significantly enhances the survivability of the UAV in complex electromagnetic environments or harsh operating conditions.

[0021] 8. This invention utilizes high-precision IMU / RTK navigation data within the aircraft for spatiotemporal information matching, providing a precise triggering reference for mission control. The control processing module acquires GPS / BeiDou positioning data, attitude angles, altitude, and timestamps output by the flight controller in real time via serial port or network, and synchronizes this spatiotemporal information with the data from the various sensors connected to this module. This spatiotemporal synchronization capability allows this invention to transcend simple data forwarding, becoming a true mission coordination hub.

[0022] 9. This invention adopts open standards at both the hardware and software levels, facilitating user integration with third-party devices or secondary development. On the hardware side, it provides common interfaces such as GPIO, UART, I2C, and SPI, allowing direct connection to various sensors, actuators, and displays. On the software side, it runs a standard Linux system, supporting POSIX interfaces such as Socket network programming, serial port read / write, and file I / O, allowing users to reuse existing open-source libraries and drivers. The module also provides RESTful APIs and MQTT services, facilitating seamless integration with cloud platforms or ground station software. This openness ensures that the invention is not tied to any specific device, allowing users to flexibly select or replace peripherals according to task requirements, greatly extending the system's technical lifecycle and reducing long-term maintenance costs. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the system composition of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the non-invasive extension principle of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] Please see Figure 1 A lightweight, non-intrusive integrated expansion module for drones includes: a power control module, a network switching module, a serial server module, a control processing module, an I / O control module, and a standard interface module. All modules are integrated within an aluminum alloy shielded housing, with a vibration-damping mounting bracket at the bottom of the housing for securing the modules to the drone body. All internal circuitry is arranged on a single printed circuit board (PCB), achieving both lightweight design and high integration.

[0026] The power control module is used to connect to an external power source and perform voltage conversion to provide operating voltage for other modules. In this embodiment, the power control module includes: a wide-voltage input circuit for connecting to a 9V to 30V DC power source, adapting to the 2S to 6S lithium battery packs or regulated power supply output commonly used in UAVs; three DC-DC buck converter circuits that convert the input voltage to stable output voltages of 5V, 12V, and 24V respectively, where 5V powers the control processing module and serial server module, 12V powers the network switching module and some peripherals, and 24V powers the external devices driven by the I / O control module; an overcurrent protection circuit uses a combination of self-resetting fuses and electronic switches to provide independent overcurrent protection for each output voltage, automatically cutting off the output when the output current exceeds a preset threshold and automatically restoring it after the fault is cleared; and a voltage monitoring circuit using a resistor divider network and an ADC sampling chip to monitor the input voltage and each output voltage in real time, and sending the monitoring data to the control processing module via the I2C bus. The output of the power control module is connected to the power input of the network switching module, serial server module, control processing module, and I / O control module, respectively, to provide them with operating power.

[0027] The network switching module provides multiple network interfaces to enable network data exchange between multiple devices. In this embodiment, the network switching module includes: a lightweight Ethernet switching chip, model RTL8363NB or similar, supporting 5-port Gigabit Ethernet switching; peripheral circuitry including a clock crystal oscillator, filter capacitors, network transformers, etc.; and four RJ45 network interfaces, which are part of a standard interface module and are connected to the switching chip via internal differential signal lines. The network switching module supports the IEEE 802.3 protocol, has Gigabit Ethernet communication capabilities, and supports IGMP snooping and multicast functions, facilitating the transmission of multicast data such as video streams.

[0028] The serial port server module is used to implement bidirectional conversion between serial communication protocols and network communication protocols. In this embodiment, the serial port server module includes: a serial-to-Ethernet chip, model CH9121 or W5500, with a built-in TCP / IP protocol stack; a level conversion circuit, using a MAX3232 chip to convert between TTL and RS232 levels; and peripheral circuitry, including a crystal oscillator, configuration memory, and indicator lights. The serial side of the serial port server module is connected to the serial communication interface in the standard interface module via the level conversion circuit, and the network side is connected to the network switching module via an RMII interface.

[0029] The control processing module, as the core processing unit, is used to perform protocol conversion, logic control, and data processing. In this embodiment, the control processing module includes: an embedded processing unit based on the ARM architecture, using a Raspberry Pi ComputeModule 4 or STM32MP157 series processor; memory including DDR memory and eMMC flash memory for storing the operating system, application programs, and configuration data; an embedded Linux operating system running on the processing unit; and software interfaces including SocketAPI, serial port programming interface, and GPIO control interface for users to perform secondary development and customize protocol conversion and logic control rules. The control processing module communicates with the network switching module through a network interface (internal Ethernet connection), is electrically connected to the I / O control module through the GPIO interface, and is connected to the voltage monitoring circuit of the power control module through the I2C interface.

[0030] The I / O control module is used to perform input / output operations based on control signals sent by the control processing module. In this embodiment, the I / O control module includes: two relay output circuits using G5V-1 type relays with a contact capacity of DC30V / 1A, used to control the power supply of external devices; four optocoupler-isolated GPIO interfaces using PC817 optocouplers for isolation, capable of receiving external switching signals or outputting control levels; and a power protection circuit using TVS diodes and PTC resettable fuses to provide overcurrent and overvoltage protection for the relay output circuits and external devices connected to the GPIO interfaces. The input terminals of the I / O control module are connected to the GPIO output terminals of the control processing module, and the output terminals are connected to external devices through the I / O interface of the standard interface module.

[0031] The standard interface module includes various standardized interfaces for bypass connection to external flight control systems and mission equipment. In this embodiment, the standard interface module includes: two serial communication interfaces, one RS232 interface and one RS422 / 485 configurable interface; four network interfaces, all RJ45 Ethernet interfaces, two of which connect to the network switching module and two are used for external connections; a power input interface: an XT60 interface or terminal block for connecting to an external power supply; a power output interface: multiple DC plugs or terminal blocks for powering external devices; and an I / O interface: an aviation plug for connecting the relay outputs and GPIO signals of the I / O control module 150.

[0032] Please see Figure 2-3 It adopts a non-intrusive bypass architecture to connect to the flight control system. In traditional flight control system connections, the serial communication interface of the flight control module is directly connected to the main communication link. If a backup link needs to be added or functions need to be expanded, it usually requires modification of the flight control hardware or firmware, which is an intrusive modification.

[0033] The connection method of the present invention is as follows: The flight control system's original serial communication interface (usually an RS232 output) is connected to both the original communication link's serial input and the RS232 serial communication interface in the standard interface module of this module via a Y-type branch cable or a T-type connector.

[0034] The input terminal of the serial port server module is connected in parallel to this connection point. In this way, the raw data stream sent by the flight control system is simultaneously sent to both the raw communication link and the serial port server module.

[0035] Data flow direction: a: Flight control data reaches the original communication link directly through path A, maintaining the original point-to-point communication without being affected by any module.

[0036] b: Flight control data enters the serial port server module through path B, is converted into network data packets (TCP / UDP), and sent to the network switching module.

[0037] c: The control processing module reads these data packets through the internal network and processes them according to preset logic; The processed data can be sent via the network switching module to: Backup communication link, a second data transmission or 4G module connected via the network interface of a standard interface module; networked task equipment; local storage or log system.

[0038] d: Data from the backup link or mission equipment enters the control processing module through the network switching module. After processing, it is converted into serial data through the serial port server module and sent to the uplink direction of the original communication link via path C, or sent to the receiving end of the flight control system via path D.

[0039] This ensures that path A remains physically connected regardless of whether the module is working or malfunctioning, and communication between the flight controller and the main link remains uninterrupted. Even if the module is completely powered off, the flight control system can still function normally through the original communication link.

[0040] The module acquires data by "listening" or "copying" rather than "truncating" and forwarding it, ensuring that the flight control data stream will not be interrupted under any circumstances due to module problems.

[0041] Any module failure, including power failure, processor crash, or interface short circuit, will not affect communication on path A.

[0042] To further improve system reliability, this implementation also includes the following design: The power control module features redundant power input interfaces, supporting two independent external power inputs, such as the flight controller's main power supply and an independent backup battery. Internally, the power control module includes an automatic switching circuit composed of ideal diodes or MOSFETs. When one input power source fails or its voltage falls below a threshold, it automatically and seamlessly switches to the other input power source to ensure continuous module operation.

[0043] The serial communication between the serial server module and the standard interface module uses magnetic or optical isolation to prevent high voltage or surge damage from external devices from affecting the module's internal circuitry. The network interface has a built-in network transformer for electrical isolation.

[0044] The control processing module has a built-in hardware watchdog timer. When a software malfunction occurs, the watchdog automatically resets the processor and restores the module configuration and operating status after the reset, ensuring the long-term reliability of the module.

[0045] This module supports remote monitoring and dynamic configuration, as implemented below: The control processing module connects to the network switching module via an internal network, and then accesses the ground station or cloud via a backup communication link. The ground station software can establish a connection with the module via the TCP / IP protocol.

[0046] The ground station can remotely configure the following parameters: The serial port server module's operating mode, baud rate, and data format; protocol conversion rules; and automatic triggering conditions for the I / O control module.

[0047] The control processing module periodically collects the following status data and reports it to the ground station via the communication link: The power control module's input voltage, output voltages and currents; the module's internal temperature; the network switching module's port connection status; and the I / O control module's relay status and GPIO input status.

[0048] The ground station can remotely send commands and control: The I / O control module controls the relay switching; the control processing module executes specific task scripts; the module restarts or restores factory settings.

[0049] The control and processing module executes preset intelligent task logic without continuous intervention from the ground station. Example 1: Sensor Polling The module sends query commands to the weather sensors connected to the serial communication interface through the serial port server module at preset intervals, receives the returned data, packages the data into UDP packets, and sends them to the airborne mission computer through the network interface.

[0050] Example 2: Linkage Control The module monitors the input voltage of the power control module. When the voltage is lower than a preset threshold, it automatically cuts off the power supply to non-critical loads through the relay output circuit of the I / O control module to extend flight time.

[0051] Example 3: Data Fusion The module receives GPS data (path B) sent by the flight control system via serial port, and simultaneously receives RTK differential data connected via network interface. It performs data fusion and calculation within the control processing module, and sends the high-precision positioning results to the ground station via backup link.

[0052] The module of this invention can be used in the following scenarios: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Systems: Various types of multi-rotor and fixed-wing UAVs used in surveying, inspection, plant protection, logistics and other fields; Unmanned vehicles / unmanned boats: unmanned ground platforms, unmanned surface / underwater vehicles; Robot platform: Control systems for various mobile robots and robotic arms; Test and measurement system: A test platform that requires rapid integration of multiple sensors and actuators.

[0053] The module adopts a standardized interface and plug-and-play design, allowing for rapid deployment without requiring specialized knowledge and possessing broad industrial applicability. It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0054] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A lightweight, non-intrusive integrated expansion module for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), comprising a power control module, a network switching module, a serial port server module, a control processing module, an I / O control module, and a standard interface module; the power control module is used to connect to an external power supply and perform voltage conversion to provide operating voltage for other modules; the network switching module is used to provide multiple network interfaces to realize network data exchange between multiple devices; the serial port server module is used to realize bidirectional conversion between serial communication protocols and network communication protocols; the control processing module, as a core processing unit, is communicatively connected to the network switching module and is used to perform protocol conversion, logic control, and data processing; the I / O control module is electrically connected to the control processing module and is used to perform input / output operations according to control signals sent by the control processing module, characterized in that: The standard interface module includes at least one serial communication interface and at least one network interface. The standard interface module adopts a non-intrusive bypass architecture. The serial communication interface is connected in parallel to the original serial communication link of the flight control system in a bypass manner, allowing the original data stream sent by the flight control system to be simultaneously sent to both the original communication link and the serial port server module. The original communication link of the flight control system maintains physical connectivity and protocol integrity without being interfered with or interrupted by the module, thus ensuring the integrity of the original communication link. The power control module is electrically connected to the network switching module, the serial port server module, the control processing module, and the I / O control module to provide operating power. The serial port server module is communicatively connected to both the serial communication interface in the standard interface module and the network switching module to convert data from the serial communication interface into network data and send it to the network switching module, or to convert network data from the network switching module into serial data and send it to the serial communication interface.

2. The lightweight, non-intrusive integrated expansion module for unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power control module includes a wide-voltage input circuit, at least one DC-DC buck converter circuit, an overcurrent protection circuit, and a voltage monitoring circuit. The wide-voltage input circuit is used to connect a DC power supply from 9V to 30V. The DC-DC buck converter circuit is used to convert the input voltage into a preset stable output voltage, which includes one or more of 5V, 12V, and 24V. The overcurrent protection circuit is used to provide overcurrent protection for each output voltage. The voltage monitoring circuit is used to monitor the input voltage and / or each output voltage in real time and send the monitoring data to the control processing module. The power control module has redundant power input interfaces, supports two independent external power inputs, and has an automatic switching function. When one input power fails, it automatically switches to the other input power.

3. A lightweight, non-intrusive integrated expansion module for unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The network switching module includes a lightweight Ethernet switching chip that supports Gigabit Ethernet communication, as well as the IGMP protocol and multicast functionality.

4. A lightweight, non-intrusive integrated expansion module for unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The serial port server module includes a serial port to Ethernet chip and its peripheral circuits, which are used to realize transparent bidirectional conversion between RS232, RS422 or RS485 serial protocols and TCP / UDP network protocols. The communication connection between the serial port server module and the network switching module is an internal Ethernet connection, and the communication connection between the control processing module and the network switching module is also an internal Ethernet connection, so that the serial port server module, the control processing module and the external network device form an internal local area network through the network switching module; The serial communication interface in the standard interface module includes at least one of RS232, RS422 and RS485 interfaces, and the network interface is an RJ45 Ethernet interface.

5. A lightweight, non-intrusive integrated expansion module for unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control processing module is an embedded processing unit based on the ARM architecture, including a Raspberry Pi or a microcontroller unit (MCU). The embedded processing unit runs an embedded operating system and has a software interface for user-defined protocol conversion and logic control.

6. A lightweight, non-intrusive integrated expansion module for unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The I / O control module includes at least one relay output circuit, at least one optocoupled isolated GPIO interface, and a power protection circuit. The relay output circuit is used to control the power supply of external devices. The optocoupled isolated GPIO interface is used to receive external switching signals or output control levels. The power protection circuit is used to provide overcurrent and overvoltage protection for the external devices connected to the relay output circuit and the GPIO interface.

7. A lightweight, non-intrusive integrated expansion module for unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The module is connected to the original serial communication interface of the flight control system and the external communication link via the standard interface module in a bypass plug-in manner, so that the original data stream of the flight control system is sent to the original communication link and the serial port server module at the same time, or is switched to the serial port server module for protocol conversion before being sent to the original communication link and the backup communication link.

8. A lightweight, non-intrusive integrated expansion module for unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an aluminum alloy shielding shell and a vibration damping mounting bracket. The power control module, network switching module, serial port server module, control processing module, I / O control module and standard interface module are all integrated inside the aluminum alloy shielding shell. The vibration damping mounting bracket is used to fix the shell to the drone body.

9. A lightweight, non-intrusive integrated expansion module for unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control processing module accesses the UAV communication link through the network switching module, receives remote control commands, and performs at least one of the following operations according to the remote control commands: configuring the protocol conversion parameters of the serial port server module, controlling the output status of the I / O control module, reading the voltage monitoring data of the power control module, and reporting the voltage monitoring data or module operating status to the ground station. The control processing module is also used to, according to preset task logic, poll external sensors connected to the network interface through the network switching module, or poll external serial port devices connected to the serial communication interface through the serial port server module, and report the collected data through the communication link after protocol conversion.

10. A lightweight, non-intrusive integrated expansion module for unmanned aerial vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: All internal circuits of the module are arranged on the same printed circuit board (PCB) to achieve lightweight design and high integration.

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