Modular UAV Flight Control Architecture for Real-Time Autonomous Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) face limitations in processing data efficiently due to inadequate computing capacity and hardware interfaces in existing flight control modules, which restrict the implementation of advanced features requiring heavy processing loads, such as real-time and extensive data processing for autonomous flight operations.

Innovation Solution

A UAV hardware architecture is proposed, comprising multiple processing modules - an application processing module, a real-time sensing module, and a flight control module - that communicate directly to manage flight operations, allowing for efficient distribution of processing loads and enabling advanced features like passive obstacle avoidance and vision-based hovering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a single flight control module is used to control UAV flight, then the device complexity is reduced, but the computing capacity and processing efficiency are insufficient for advanced features

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputing capacityVSAvoidhardware architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flight control system is divided into multiple independent processing modules: a flight control module for basic flight operations, an application processing module for high-level decision making, and an optional real-time processing module for time-critical operations. Each module has specialized hardware and can operate semi-independently, providing the needed computing power while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple processing modules are added to increase computing capacity, then advanced features can be implemented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeature implementation capabilityVSAvoidprocessing module quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processing modules are designed with universal interfaces and standardized communication protocols that allow them to perform multiple functions. The application processing module can handle various autonomous flight algorithms, while the real-time processing module can process different sensor data types. This multi-functionality enables diverse advanced features without requiring separate specialized hardware for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system architecture allows dynamic allocation and configuration of processing modules based on mission requirements. Modules can be enabled or disabled, and processing tasks can be dynamically assigned to different modules depending on real-time computational needs and feature requirements, providing adaptability without permanent complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Extent of automation

If real-time processing of sensor data is implemented, then autonomous flight capability is improved, but the processing load on the flight control module increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous flight capabilityVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Time-critical real-time processing tasks are extracted from the main flight control module and assigned to a dedicated real-time processing module. This separation allows the flight control module to focus on coordination and non-time-critical operations, while the real-time module handles sensor data processing, obstacle detection, and immediate autonomous responses, improving both automation capability and overall processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Measurement precision

If extensive processing of input data is performed for directed autonomous flight, then navigation accuracy is improved, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a hierarchical processing approach where the real-time processing module performs essential partial processing of sensor data for immediate navigation decisions, while the application processing module performs more extensive processing for refined autonomous flight planning. This partial processing strategy provides sufficient navigation accuracy for real-time operations without the excessive processing time that would result from complete data analysis at every decision point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11231726B2UAV hardware architecture

Publication Date: 2022.01.25 SZ DJI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes one or more propulsion units that effect flight of the UAV, an application processing circuit configured to verify a validity of a system image of the UAV in a secure environment, and a flight control circuit operably coupled to the application processing circuit. Generation and/or transmission of control signals from the flight control circuit to one or more electronic speed controllers (ESC controllers) is prevented prior to verification of the validity of the system image.