Modular Air Vehicle Control Architecture for Centralized Subsystem Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air vehicle management systems lack a nose-to-tail incorporation of all aircraft controls, leading to unnecessary weight, complexity, and increased complexity in maintaining the aircraft, as well as higher complexity in system software for controlling various components, which hinders efficient management of multiple subsystems on electric aircraft.
Innovation Solution
A modular air vehicle control system with a central controller that logically divides the aircraft into four sections (forward, left engine, right engine, and aft sectors) connected via a control data bus and actuation bus, allowing centralized control and power distribution, reducing the complexity and weight by separating engine controllers from the engines and centralizing control mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional air vehicle management system is used without modular architecture, then system integration is simpler, but weight increases, complexity increases, and maintainability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The air vehicle management system is divided into modular functional units including engine control modules, flight control modules, and subsystem control modules. Each module can be independently developed, tested, and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while improving maintainability through localized troubleshooting and replacement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
A centralized control bus serves as an intermediary communication infrastructure connecting all modular control units. This mediator enables standardized data exchange between modules without requiring direct point-to-point connections, simplifying system integration while maintaining modular architecture benefits for weight reduction and ease of manufacture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If control mechanisms are integrated with engines, then device count is reduced, but flexibility decreases and obsolescence increases
Solution Approach 1:
Control mechanisms are segmented from engine physical structures into independent modular control units. These separated control modules can be independently updated, upgraded, or replaced without modifying engine hardware, thereby increasing system flexibility while managing architecture complexity through standardized interfaces and communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular control architecture employs universal control modules that can manage multiple functions and subsystems. This multi-functionality approach increases adaptability by allowing the same control framework to accommodate different engine types and configurations, while the standardized modular design keeps architecture complexity manageable through reuse of proven components.
Data Source
AI summary
An air vehicle control system is described that includes a computer-implemented controller. The controller is configured to control an air vehicle, where the air vehicle is logically divided into four sections of electrical and mechanical devices that are operatively connected to the controller via a control data bus and an actuation bus. The four sections include a forward sector, a left engine sector, a right engine sector, and an aft sector. The controller controls all four sections of electrical and mechanical devices of the air vehicle.