Flight Control Interpreter for Captive UAS Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current procedures hinder the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace (NAS) due to differing mission profiles, outdated operational concepts, and stringent FAA restrictions, making testing and development costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a UAS flight control system integrated with an Optionally Piloted Vehicle (OPV) and a Flight Control Interpreter (FCI), allowing the OPV to replicate UAS flight profiles and enabling safe and efficient testing within NAS by mimicking UAS flight characteristics, while a pilot on board can override control for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UAS flight testing is conducted under current FAA procedures, then flight safety is maintained, but testing cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the UAS flight control system that runs on the OPV's flight control computer. This software model replicates the UAS's flight characteristics, allowing testing of UAS flight software and control algorithms without physically flying the actual UAS under restrictive FAA procedures. The virtual copy enables accelerated testing while maintaining safety through the pilot's ability to intervene.
2Reliability
If UAS flight testing is conducted under current FAA procedures, then flight safety is maintained, but testing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a virtual replica of the UAS flight control system on the OPV, the patent eliminates the need for expensive certified UAS flight operations. The virtual model allows repeated testing of flight software, control algorithms, and mission profiles at minimal cost, while the actual UAS hardware can be used for other purposes or protected from wear and damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The OPV serves multiple functions: it acts as a test platform for UAS flight software, a safe training vehicle for pilots, and a demonstration platform for UAS capabilities. This multi-functionality maximizes the utility of the testing infrastructure and reduces the need for dedicated expensive UAS flight operations for each testing objective.
3Adaptability or versatility
If UAS autonomous flight capabilities are tested in NAS, then technology development is enabled, but FAA authorization difficulties prevent testing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system where the UAS flight control software is executed virtually on the OPV rather than on the actual UAS. This intermediary approach allows testing of autonomous flight capabilities in the NAS context without requiring direct FAA authorization for UAS flight operations, as the OPV operates under different regulatory frameworks. The virtual execution environment bridges the gap between technology testing needs and regulatory constraints.
4Reliability
If pilot override capability is added to OPV flight control, then safety is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pilot override capability leverages the existing skills and judgment of the trained pilot rather than requiring complex automated safety systems. The pilot serves as the final safety check, using their expertise to intervene when necessary. This approach maintains high safety standards while avoiding the complexity of additional automated monitoring and intervention systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for unmanned aircraft system (UAS) testing which incorporates a UAS flight control system and an optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) carrying the UAS flight control system. The OPV has an OPV flight control system and a flight control interpreter (FCI) which receives input from the UAS flight control system representing control parameters for a flight profile of the UAS. The FCI provides status commands as an output to the OPV flight control system to replicate the flight profile. These status commands are selected from the group consisting of data regarding attitude, vertical navigation, lateral navigation, turn rate, velocity and engine operations. The OPV flight control system includes a pilot override for emergency, flight safety or other contingencies allowing an on board pilot to assume control of the OPV.