Cross-Channel Effector Communication for Electric Aircraft Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for mitigating component malfunctions in aircraft are insufficient, compromising safety during flights, as they do not effectively ensure continuous functionality of all aircraft components.
Innovation Solution
A system for cross-channel communication between flight controllers and effectors in electric aircraft, enabling the transmission of commands through networks to control flight components, ensuring redundancy and maintaining aircraft safety even if one effector fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing solutions are used to mitigate component malfunctions, then the aircraft may operate with single effector control, but the safety and reliability are compromised when a component fails
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent flight controllers (first flight controller and second flight controller) that can operate autonomously. Each controller can independently control the flight component through separate effectors, allowing the system to maintain functionality even when one controller or effector fails. This segmentation enables redundancy without requiring a completely integrated complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by pre-configuring redundant control pathways before any failure occurs. The first and second flight controllers are both connected to the flight component through different effectors and communication channels, creating backup pathways that are ready to activate immediately upon detecting a malfunction, thus cushioning against the impact of component failure.
2Reliability
If redundant control pathways are implemented, then the aircraft safety is improved, but the system complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second flight controllers are designed with universal functionality, each capable of independently controlling the flight component through different effectors. This multi-functionality allows the same controller architecture to serve multiple purposes: primary control, backup control, and cross-channel communication, reducing the need for entirely separate specialized systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication network acts as an intermediary that facilitates cross-channel communication between the flight controllers and effectors. This mediator enables the first flight controller to communicate with the second effector and vice versa, coordinating redundant control actions without requiring direct complex point-to-point connections between all components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cross-channel communication is implemented between flight controllers and effectors, then the system can maintain control during effector failure, but the communication network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication network implements dynamic routing capabilities where communication channels can be activated or deactivated based on system state. When a effector is determined to be non-functional, the network dynamically reroutes commands through alternative channels, allowing the first flight controller to communicate with the second effector and maintaining adaptability without requiring permanently active complex pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where flight controllers monitor the functionality of effectors and communication channels. This feedback enables the controllers to detect malfunctions and automatically adjust communication routing, activating cross-channel communication only when needed, thus maintaining adaptability while minimizing unnecessary communication network complexity during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for cross-channel communication for effectors in an electric aircraft is presented. The system may include a flight component of an electric aircraft. The system may include a plurality of effectors, wherein the plurality of effectors may be configured to control the flight component. The system may include a plurality of flight controllers communicatively connected to the plurality of effectors, wherein the plurality of flight controllers may be configured to receive an input, generate a command as a function of the input and transmit the command to the plurality of effectors. The system may include a plurality of networks communicatively connected to the plurality of effectors and the plurality of flight controllers, wherein the plurality of networks may be configured to receive the command from the plurality of flight controllers and transmit the command to the plurality of effectors.