UAV Adapter Interface for Third-Party Load Protocol Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) do not support third-party devices, limiting their applications and failing to meet the needs of third-party manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
An adapter apparatus is introduced to convert communication protocols between the UAV and third-party devices, enabling control commands to be sent and data to be exchanged using different communication protocols, allowing the UAV to support third-party devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the UAV uses a fixed communication protocol for controlling devices, then the control system is simple and reliable, but the UAV cannot support third-party devices with different communication protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter apparatus as an intermediary device between the UAV and third-party load devices. The adapter receives control commands from the UAV via the first communication protocol, converts them to the second communication protocol, and transmits them to the load device. This mediator approach enables protocol compatibility without modifying the original UAV or load device systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter apparatus is designed with universal functionality to support multiple communication protocols. It can convert between different protocol types (e.g., UART to CAN bus, or I2C to SPI), allowing a single adapter device to enable compatibility with various third-party devices using different communication standards.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the UAV integrates multiple communication protocols directly, then it can support third-party devices, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into distinct modules: the UAV's native communication interface, the adapter apparatus with protocol conversion functionality, and the third-party load device. This segmentation allows each component to maintain its original simplicity while the adapter handles the complexity of protocol translation, avoiding the need to integrate multiple protocols directly into the UAV.
3Reliability
If no protocol conversion is implemented, then the system is simple, but control commands cannot be transmitted between UAV and third-party devices
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter apparatus serves as a reliable intermediary that ensures accurate transmission of control commands between the UAV and third-party devices. It performs protocol conversion while maintaining command integrity, reliability, and proper timing, solving the communication barrier without requiring changes to the original systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An aerial vehicle includes a body, a flight controller, and an adapter apparatus. The adapter apparatus includes a first communication interface through which the adapter apparatus is communicatively connected to the flight controller, a second communication interface through which the adapter apparatus is communicatively connected to a load device, at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the adapter apparatus to receive a control command sent by the flight controller for controlling the load device via the first communication interface, convert a first communication protocol between the flight controller and the adapter apparatus into a second communication protocol between the adapter apparatus and the load device, send the control command to the load device using the second communication protocol via the second communication interface.