UAV Interoperability Agent for Multi-Manufacturer Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of diverse unmanned air vehicle (UAV) systems is hindered by the need for coordinated communication and control, as various UAV configurations and manufacturers require a unified method to transmit commands and receive data efficiently from military personnel.

Innovation Solution

A communication system utilizing a common language, where a control device sends standardized commands to an interoperability agent, which converts them into UAV-specific commands, and vice versa, allowing for synchronized operation and data transmission across multiple UAV platforms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If diverse UAV configurations from multiple manufacturers are integrated, then the system's adaptability and versatility improve, but the communication complexity and coordination difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUAV system adaptabilityVSAvoidcommunication complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an interoperability agent as an intermediary component that mediates communication between diverse UAVs and the control system. This agent translates and standardizes commands from different manufacturers into a unified protocol, enabling heterogeneous UAVs to communicate effectively without direct complex point-to-point integration between each UAV type and every control system component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal command language and standardized data objects that can be used across all UAV types regardless of manufacturer. This universal interface allows a single control system to manage diverse UAV configurations through common commands and protocols, reducing the need for manufacturer-specific integration code and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If standardized common commands are implemented across diverse UAVs, then the ease of operation improves, but the loss of manufacturer-specific functionality may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommand coordination easeVSAvoidmanufacturer-specific functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the command structure into standardized common commands that provide uniform control across all UAVs, while allowing for extended manufacturer-specific command sets. This segmentation enables the core operational commands to be simplified and standardized for ease of use, while preserving access to specialized functionalities through optional extended command protocols when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The command language is designed to be dynamic and extensible, allowing the system to adapt between standardized commands for common operations and manufacturer-specific commands for specialized functions. The interoperability agent can dynamically select and translate between command types based on the specific UAV being controlled and the operational requirements, balancing standardization with functionality preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP1941334B1Unmanned air vehicle interoperability agent
Publication Date: 2010.11.10 THE BOEING CO
  • EP1941334B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1A
  • EP1941334B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1941334B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of coordinating communications between a plurality of Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) operating in connection with differing communication languages. A common language is provided which includes common language commands and common language data objects. Common language commands are communicated from a user to a plurality of UAVs through a UAV Interoperability Agent (UIA), which converts the common language commands to UAV-specific commands which can be understood by the specific UAV. Additionally, UAVs send data in a native platform format to the UIA, which converts the native platform data to common language format for collection and interpretation by the user.