Unmanned Vehicle Payload Activation Validator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aircraft systems face challenges with unreliable data links for weapon control, leading to potential misfires due to uncertain communication performance, availability, and integrity, which can result in unsafe and uncontrolled payload activation.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus on unmanned vehicles that validate activation instructions using stored codes and time synchronization, ensuring only valid commands activate payloads, and provide real-time monitoring and reporting to maintain system integrity even during communication degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a data-link is employed to facilitate communication between an unmanned aircraft and its operator, then remote control capability is achieved, but the performance, availability, and integrity of the data-link become uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing validation information and codes in the apparatus before activation is requested. When an activation instruction is received, the system can immediately validate it against the pre-stored information without requiring real-time communication with the remote entity, thus maintaining reliability despite data-link uncertainties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary validation mechanism that acts as a buffer between the remote activation request and the actual payload activation. The apparatus validates instructions using pre-stored codes and information, serving as an intermediary layer that protects against unreliable data-link transmission while enabling remote control functionality.
2Reliability
If validation processes are implemented to ensure safe payload activation, then system integrity is improved, but the complexity of the activation system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses copying by storing validation information and codes in the apparatus that mirror what is held by the remote entity. This allows the apparatus to independently validate activation instructions without complex real-time verification systems, maintaining integrity while keeping the validation mechanism relatively simple through information duplication.
3Reliability
If real-time validation of activation instructions is performed, then the risk of misfires is reduced, but the time required for payload activation increases
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-storing validation information and codes in the apparatus before activation is needed, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming real-time validation during the activation moment. The validation can be performed quickly by comparing the received instruction against pre-prepared validation data, thus reducing both misfire risk and activation delay.
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus and a method performed by the apparatus, the apparatus being mounted on an unmanned vehicle (2) (e.g. an aircraft) and arranged to act upon a payload (18) (e.g. a weapon), the payload (18) being mounted on the unmanned vehicle (2) and, under an action of the apparatus, able to be activated, the method comprising: receiving an activation instruction from an entity (4) (e.g. an operator of the unmanned vehicle), the entity being remote from the unmanned vehicle (2); determining whether or not the received activation instruction is valid by performing a validation process; and in response to determining that the received activation instruction is valid, activating the payload (18). In response to determining that the received activation instruction is not valid, activation of the payload (18) may be prevented or opposed.