Backup VSM for Unmanned Vehicle Control Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of an on-board vehicle computing unit in unmanned vehicles creates a risk of complete loss of control in case of failure, as it is the sole means of providing instructions to the route or flight control system, leading to interoperability issues between vehicle control stations and unmanned vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A control station with a backup vehicle specific module (VSM) that can convert command and control messages into proprietary protocols, allowing continuous control of the unmanned vehicle even if the on-board processing system fails, by bypassing the first vehicle computing unit and directly transmitting messages to the route control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a vehicle computing unit is placed on-board the unmanned vehicle to convert command and control messages from standardized protocol to proprietary protocol, then interoperability between vehicle control stations and unmanned vehicles is improved, but the risk of complete loss of control increases due to single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vehicle computing functionality into two separate units: a first vehicle computing unit on-board the unmanned vehicle and a second vehicle computing unit at the control station. This segmentation eliminates the single point of failure, allowing the system to maintain control continuity by switching between units if one fails, while both units support protocol conversion for interoperability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a backup second vehicle computing unit at the control station that is prepared in advance to take over control functions if the first vehicle computing unit fails. This beforehand cushioning ensures that control continuity is maintained without interruption, addressing the reliability concern while preserving interoperability capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If command and control messages are transmitted through the on-board vehicle computing unit to the route control system, then the vehicle processing system can convert protocols, but a failure of this unit results in complete loss of control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second vehicle computing unit at the control station that acts as an intermediary backup path. When the first vehicle computing unit fails, the control system can route command and control messages through the second unit, which also performs protocol conversion, thus maintaining both control redundancy and protocol adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of control message routing by providing an alternative path through the second vehicle computing unit. This parameter change enables the system to switch from the primary on-board computing unit to the backup control station unit, maintaining protocol conversion capability while ensuring control redundancy.
3Ease of manufacture
If a proprietary protocol is used for communication between the vehicle control system and the unmanned vehicle, then the vehicle processing system can be optimized for specific tasks, but interoperability issues arise between different vehicle control stations and unmanned vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses vehicle computing units (both first and second) as intermediaries that perform protocol conversion between the standardized command and control messages and the proprietary protocol required by the unmanned vehicle. This intermediary approach allows the vehicle processing system to be optimized for specific proprietary protocols while maintaining interoperability through the conversion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements vehicle computing units with multi-functionality, capable of receiving standardized protocol messages and converting them to various proprietary protocols required by different unmanned vehicles. This universal conversion capability enables both task-specific optimization and broad interoperability across different vehicle and control station systems.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a control station having a station processing system, a control system, a data link computing unit, a second data link and a back-up VSM (a second vehicle computing unit) is operable to communicate via an RF link with an unmanned vehicle having a first data link, a vehicle processing system, a first vehicle computing unit and a route control system. The control station being operable to communicate with the unmanned vehicle using a first protocol for messaging under normal operating conditions as well as through the use of a second protocol for messaging, initiated via the second vehicle computing unit, when either the vehicle processing system is inoperable, the vehicle computing unit is inoperable or when the second vehicle computing unit in the control station is directed to use the second protocol for messaging.