FPGA Emulator for UAV Agnostic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies do not provide a unified solution for emulating agnostic control of position, course, or altitude of remotely controlled unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) via a central field-programmable gate array (FPGA), leading to fragmentation across different software and hardware platforms, and a need for increased autonomy and cooperation among commercial drones.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising sensors for detecting flight control parameters, a companion flight control processor, a remote control unit, and a central FPGA integrated between the primary and companion flight control processors to emulate real-time agnostic control, enabling unified control across various UAVs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a central FPGA is integrated between primary and companion flight control processors, then unified control and autonomy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central FPGA as an intermediary device that sits between the primary flight control processor and the companion flight control processor. This FPGA emulator acts as a mediator that translates and emulates control signals, enabling unified agnostic control across different processor architectures. The intermediary FPGA handles the complexity of inter-processing communication and control signal translation, allowing the main processors to focus on their respective flight control functions while achieving integrated autonomy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different software and hardware platforms are used across commercial UAVs, then adaptability is improved, but system fragmentation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control interface through the FPGA emulator that can communicate with multiple different processor types and software platforms. The FPGA is configured to emulate various control signal protocols and interfaces, making it compatible with different flight control processors from various manufacturers. This multi-functional capability allows the system to maintain unified control across heterogeneous platforms without requiring each platform to be customized, thereby reducing system fragmentation while preserving adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for emulating control signals for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The method comprises using an integrated circuit installed on the UAV and communicatively coupled to a flight control processor and a companion processor for receiving flight control parameters from the companion processor, the flight control parameters are based data from a plurality of sensors communicatively coupled to the companion processor and mounted on the UAV, wirelessly receiving remote control signals from a remote control unit, modulating the flight control parameters to create emulated signals emulating a signals generated by a remote control designated to wirelessly control the UAV, the emulated signals encode instructions to maneuver the UAV, and switching between the remote control signals and the emulated signals during a flight time of the UAV.