Redundant Vehicle Control Computers for Weight and Power Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long endurance unmanned aerial vehicles face challenges in weight optimization, limited space, and power consumption due to small control surfaces and limited electrical power, which complicates control and management systems.
Innovation Solution
A redundant control and management system is implemented, featuring multiple interconnected computers, sensors, and actuators to ensure fail-safe operations, reducing weight, power consumption, and complexity while maintaining high safety standards through redundant design and data redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant computers are implemented for fail-safe control, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into multiple independent computer units (at least two redundant computers), each capable of independently controlling the vehicle. This segmentation allows the system to maintain functionality even when one unit fails, improving reliability while keeping each individual unit relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
Each computer unit is designed with specific localized functions and capabilities. The redundant computers can operate independently with their own sensor connections and control outputs, allowing the system to maintain local control quality even when other parts of the system fail.
2Reliability
If redundant systems are implemented, then reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple computer units are merged into a single integrated control system architecture. The redundant computers share common communication interfaces, data buses, and control output channels, allowing them to function as a unified system rather than separate independent units, thereby reducing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
Each computer unit is designed with universal capabilities to perform multiple functions - it can control various actuators, process data from multiple sensors, and communicate through shared interfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized duplicate components, thereby reducing weight.
3Reliability
If redundant systems are implemented, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The redundant computer system operates with periodic status checking and data exchange between units. Instead of continuous full-operation mode, the system periodically verifies the status of redundant units and switches between them as needed, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The redundant computer system includes self-diagnosis and automatic failover capabilities. When a failure is detected, the system automatically switches to the redundant unit without requiring external intervention or additional power-intensive monitoring, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining reliability.
4Reliability
If redundant systems are implemented, then reliability is improved, but available space decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The redundant computer units are designed with a nested architecture where multiple functional components are integrated within compact housings. The system allows nested placement of computer units within the vehicle's existing structure, utilizing available spaces efficiently and minimizing the overall volume occupied by the redundant system.
Data Source
AI summary
A control and/or management system for a vehicle includes at least one of: (A) at least two redundant vehicle management computers configured to generate system control commands for each maneuvering actuators and for each system actor based on the data acquired by the sensors; (B) at least two redundant remote interface units for interconnecting a sensor or a system actor with a vehicle management computer; (C) at least two redundant actuator control computers configured to generate control commands for each maneuvering actuator based on received maneuvering commands; and (D) a common interface for connecting an external computer, the common interface being directly connected to at least two redundant computers.