UAV Autopilot Failover Control Using PLA State-Machine Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control systems face challenges in reliability and redundancy, particularly in high-stress environments, where mechanical and electrical failures can occur due to vibrations and temperature fluctuations, leading to limited processing capability and increased weight and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A control system for UAVs incorporating a processing system with a primary and backup autopilot process, utilizing a state machine and programmable logic array to switch between autopilot processes and enable remote device control, along with a multiplexer to select appropriate servo commands, ensuring continued operation even if primary systems fail.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant hardware components are provided onboard for each vehicle control system and mission control system, then reliability is improved, but weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines primary and backup autopilot processes, along with remote device control functionality, into a single integrated processing system. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate redundant hardware components while maintaining reliability through software-based redundancy and failover mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing system is designed to perform multiple functions: primary autopilot control, backup autopilot control, and remote device control. This multi-functionality allows a single hardware platform to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate systems, reducing overall weight and volume.
2Reliability
If redundant hardware components are provided onboard for each vehicle control system and mission control system, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple control functions into a unified processing system with a single architecture. Instead of maintaining separate hardware systems for primary and backup autopilots, the invention uses a consolidated system with software-based redundancy, significantly reducing device complexity while preserving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup autopilot process is implemented as a software copy of the primary autopilot functionality within the same processing system. This approach provides redundancy without requiring duplicate physical hardware, thereby reducing system complexity.
3Reliability
If traditional separate control systems are used for primary and backup autopilot, then reliability is improved, but processing capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates primary autopilot, backup autopilot, and remote control processing into a single high-capability processing system. This unified architecture leverages the full processing power of one system rather than dividing capabilities across multiple smaller systems, thereby enhancing overall processing capability while maintaining reliability through software-based redundancy.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control system 530 for an unmanned vehicle includes a first processing unit 302 configured to execute a primary autopilot process 500 for controlling the unmanned vehicle. The control system 500 further includes a programmable logic array 325 in operative communication with the first processing unit 302. The control system 530 also includes a state machine 542 configured in the programmable logic array 325. The state machine 542 is configured to enable control of the unmanned vehicle according to a backup autopilot process 520 in response to an invalid output of the first processing unit 302.