Modular Autopilot Architecture for Multi-UAV Flight Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flight management systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are limited by their high integration of components, which reduces flexibility in supporting a wide range of vehicles, payloads, and missions, leading to restricted size, weight, and power allocations.
Innovation Solution
A modular vehicle management system comprising a core module and interchangeable carrier modules, allowing for customization of capabilities such as navigation, power, and interfaces to accommodate various UAV types and missions, with authentication and adaptation mechanisms to ensure authorized operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If all components of the autopilot are integrated with the flight management system in a single integrated package, then the size and weight are reduced, but the flexibility in terms of aircraft supported, payloads supported, and power conditioning provided is greatly decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The flight management system is divided into a core module containing essential flight control components and interchangeable carrier modules that can be selectively attached to support different aircraft types, payloads, and power conditioning requirements. This segmentation allows the base system to remain lightweight while flexibility is achieved through modular additions.
Solution Approach 2:
The core module is designed with universal interfaces and authentication mechanisms that enable it to work with multiple types of carrier modules, each tailored for specific aircraft or payload configurations. This universal design allows a single core module to support diverse applications without requiring separate integrated systems for each.
2Device complexity
If a flight management system is designed to support a narrow class of aircraft with similar specifications, then the system complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different aircraft types and missions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic configuration where carrier modules can be selectively attached and detached based on mission requirements. The authentication mechanism dynamically verifies compatibility between core and carrier modules, allowing the system to adapt its functionality without requiring complex pre-programming for every possible aircraft type.
Solution Approach 2:
Carrier modules are pre-configured with specific capabilities for different aircraft types and payloads, and include authentication credentials that enable them to be verified by the core module. This preliminary configuration allows rapid deployment without requiring complex system reconfiguration during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular vehicle management system is described, comprising a controller module configured to control different types of carrier modules. The controller module includes a computer system and optionally one or more sensors. The computer system is configured to perform operations comprising detecting whether a carrier module is connected to the controller module. If the carrier module is connected to the controller module, the carrier module is authenticated. If the authentication fails, operation of the vehicle is inhibited. The control module is configured to determine carrier module capabilities including information regarding a navigation processing device, and/or a radio modem. The controller adapts to the capabilities of the controller module. Using information from the sensors and the navigation processing device, the vehicle management system navigates the vehicle.