Redundant Flight Control Using Shared UAV Board Processors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing redundant flight control systems in aerial vehicles, while ensuring safety through multiple processors, increase weight, consume more power, and reduce operational time in smaller UAVs due to the need for additional hardware and space.
Innovation Solution
Implementing redundant flight control programs on existing device boards' processors, which can pre-load and execute in case of failure, utilizing existing compute resources to maintain system robustness without adding weight or power consumption, and allowing for safe navigation and potential emergency landing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional independent processors are added to increase redundancy, then system reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling existing device board processors to serve dual purposes: their primary function for device operation and a secondary function as backup flight control processors. The processors are pre-loaded with redundant flight control programs that can be activated upon failure detection, eliminating the need for dedicated redundant hardware while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the flight control redundancy function with existing device board processors that would otherwise be dedicated solely to device operations. By combining these functions into single processors through software-based redundancy, the system eliminates the need for separate redundant hardware components, thereby reducing weight while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If additional independent processors are added to increase redundancy, then system reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling existing device board processors to serve dual purposes: their primary function for device operation and a secondary function as backup flight control processors. The processors are pre-loaded with redundant flight control programs that can be activated upon failure detection, eliminating the need for dedicated redundant hardware while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the flight control redundancy function with existing device board processors that would otherwise be dedicated solely to device operations. By combining these functions into single processors through software-based redundancy, the system eliminates the need for separate redundant hardware components, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If additional independent processors are added to increase redundancy, then system reliability is improved, but operational time decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling existing device board processors to serve dual purposes: their primary function for device operation and a secondary function as backup flight control processors. The processors are pre-loaded with redundant flight control programs that can be activated upon failure detection, eliminating the need for dedicated redundant hardware while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the flight control redundancy function with existing device board processors that would otherwise be dedicated solely to device operations. By combining these functions into single processors through software-based redundancy, the system eliminates the need for separate redundant hardware components, thereby extending operational time while maintaining reliability.
4Reliability
If additional independent processors are added to increase redundancy, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating software copies of the flight control program that are pre-loaded onto existing device board processors. Instead of adding physical redundant hardware, the system copies the essential flight control functionality into the memory of existing processors, allowing them to assume flight control responsibilities when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling existing device board processors to serve dual purposes: their primary function for device operation and a secondary function as backup flight control processors. The processors are pre-loaded with redundant flight control programs that can be activated upon failure detection, eliminating the need for dedicated redundant hardware while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a system and apparatus that provides redundant flight control for an aerial vehicle without the use of independent and dedicated redundant flight control boards and processors. Additional compute resources available on processors of other device boards of an aerial vehicle may be used to execute redundant flight control programs. The device boards and/or those redundant flight control programs monitor the operability of the various flight controllers. If any of the flight controllers is determined to be inoperable, one of the redundant flight control programs assumes the role of the inoperable controller.