UAV Autopilot Redundancy with PLA State-Machine Failover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control systems lack redundancy and reliability, 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 comprising a primary and backup autopilot process executed by distinct processing units with programmable logic arrays, where a state machine monitors outputs and switches between the two processes to ensure continuous operation, including a multiplexer to select servo commands from either process or a remote device, providing redundancy and improved availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual hardware components are provided onboard a UAV for each vehicle control system and each mission control system, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vehicle control system and mission control system into a single integrated control system with a unified processing unit that executes both autopilot and mission control functions, reducing the number of separate hardware components while maintaining reliability through software-based functional separation
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed as a universal platform that can perform multiple functions including vehicle stabilization, navigation, and various mission-specific tasks through configurable software modules, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware for each function
2Reliability
If redundant hardware components are provided for backup control systems, then system reliability is improved, but weight and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a backup control system that uses a simplified copy of the primary autopilot process stored in non-volatile memory, rather than duplicating the full processing hardware, enabling fast restoration with minimal weight penalty
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses non-volatile memory to retain backup autopilot instructions that can be quickly recovered and executed when the primary system fails, eliminating the need for continuous power to maintenance hardware and reducing overall system weight
3Weight of moving object
If a simplified backup autopilot process is used instead of a full duplicate, then weight is reduced, but control functionality may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into essential flight control functions that are sufficient for safe vehicle operation and recovery, separating these from advanced mission-specific functions that can be restored later when the vehicle is recovered and can access full processing capabilities
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.