Distributed Mission Control for Unmanned Vehicle Autonomy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unmanned vehicles, such as UAVs and UGVs, are limited by their dependency on wireless communication links with central command stations, leading to mission aborts when they travel outside the communication range, restricting their operational flexibility and autonomy.

Innovation Solution

A distributed mission control system is implemented on-board vehicles, comprising modules like distributed mission modules, guidance modules, and multi-protocol translators, enabling vehicles to modify mission elements, compute paths, and generate control commands autonomously based on available data, health states, and positions, allowing them to operate semi-autonomously and collaborate effectively without continuous central command station communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If unmanned vehicles operate with centralized control and wireless communication dependency, then communication and control simplicity is maintained, but operational range and mission continuity deteriorate when traveling outside communication range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system simplicityVSAvoidoperational range

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized control system is segmented into distributed autonomy modules on each vehicle, allowing independent decision-making while maintaining overall mission coordination. Each vehicle possesses its own mission management, guidance navigation, and control modules that can operate independently when communication is lost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Autonomy modules are pre-configured with mission parameters, contingency plans, and operational procedures before deployment. The system performs preliminary setup of control algorithms and mission objectives, enabling vehicles to execute missions autonomously without real-time central control when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If centralized control is used, then mission coordination is simplified, but mission continuity deteriorates due to communication link dependency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemission management simplicityVSAvoidmission continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Each vehicle's autonomy module independently manages its own mission execution, monitoring its health state, adjusting its path, and making decisions without requiring continuous central control intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously handling mission management tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares contingency plans and autonomous operation capabilities in advance to cushion against communication link failures. When communication is lost, the pre-configured autonomy modules ensure mission continuity without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If wireless line-of-sight communication is required, then control link reliability is maintained, but operational flexibility deteriorates due to range limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidoperational flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control architecture dynamically adapts between centralized and autonomous modes based on communication availability. When communication is reliable, centralized control is used; when communication is lost, the system dynamically switches to autonomous operation, maintaining flexibility across different operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Extent of automation

If autonomous operation capabilities are added to each vehicle, then operational autonomy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle autonomyVSAvoidon-board system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomy module is designed as a universal platform that performs multiple functions: mission management, guidance navigation, collision avoidance, and health monitoring. This multi-functional design reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate specialized systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9760094B2Distributed collaborative operations processor systems and methods

Publication Date: 2017.09.12 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

Described herein is an apparatus for semi-autonomous vehicle control of a vehicle includes a distributed mission module configured to modify a mission element of a group mission based on availability of data. The group mission involves a plurality of vehicles. The apparatus also includes a guidance module configured to compute a path for a local vehicle of the plurality of vehicles based on the modified mission element. The path is configured to achieve the modified mission element. Additionally, the apparatus includes a multi-protocol translator module configured to convert the path into one or more control commands for the local vehicle. The distributed mission module, guidance module, and multi-protocol translator are located on-board the vehicle.