Uncrewed Aircraft Control Authority Reallocation for Data Link Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semi-autonomous aircraft functions become unavailable when the data link is compromised, leading to potential hazards due to uncontrolled activation of always-active onboard functions or loss of remote control.
Innovation Solution
Adaptive allocation of control authority between the aircraft and ground pilot station based on data link conditions, reallocating functions to ensure continuous operation and safety, including automatic transitions between remote and onboard control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control authority is allocated to ground pilot station, then remote control capability is improved, but system reliability deteriorates when data link fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic allocation of control authority that automatically transitions between ground pilot station and onboard systems based on real-time data link conditions. When the data link is operational, control is delegated to the ground pilot station for ease of operation; when the data link fails, control dynamically transfers to onboard systems to maintain reliability, thus resolving the contradiction between remote control capability and system reliability.
2Productivity
If onboard functions operate continuously by default, then operational availability is improved, but safety deteriorates due to uncontrolled activation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors data link status and automatically adjusts the activation state of onboard functions accordingly. This feedback control ensures that functions are activated only when appropriate (improving operational availability) while preventing uncontrolled activation (enhancing safety), thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful factors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If control authority is reallocated automatically based on data link condition, then system adaptability is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring automatic control authority reallocation rules and thresholds based on data link conditions. The system is pre-programmed with the logic for when and how to transfer control between ground and onboard systems, allowing it to adapt automatically to changing conditions without requiring complex real-time decision-making, thus achieving adaptability while managing control complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques for operating a semi-autonomous aircraft according to a condition of a data communication channel include: detecting a condition of a data communication channel between a semi-autonomous aircraft and a ground pilot station for the semi-autonomous aircraft; reallocating a control authority for an aircraft function from one of the semi-autonomous aircraft or the ground pilot station to an other of the semi-autonomous aircraft or the ground pilot station, where the reallocating is performed automatically and in response to a fulfilment of predefined criteria comprising the condition of the data communication channel; obtaining, from the other of the semi-autonomous aircraft or the ground pilot station, an instruction to activate or deactivate the aircraft function; and executing, by the semi-autonomous aircraft, the instruction to activate or deactivate the aircraft function in response to the obtaining the instruction.