UAV Processor Virtualization for Lightweight Reliable Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional control systems for unmanned vehicles, such as UAVs, are often bulky, heavy, and limited in processing capability, with backplane architectures prone to mechanical and electrical failures due to environmental stresses, and they require significant space and weight for multiple card configurations, which is not suitable for high-stress applications like UAVs.
Innovation Solution
A processing system for unmanned vehicles featuring a heterogeneous processing system with multiple integrated circuits, including a first and second processing unit, a virtualization layer, and partitioned operating environments, allowing for reliable, configurable, and certifiable software configurations. This system includes a first operating system for vehicle control and a second operating system for mission control, with virtual machines isolated from each other to manage diverse and critical vehicle and mission functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional backplane architectures with multiple card configurations are used, then vehicle control and mission control functions can be provided, but the system becomes bulky, heavy, and prone to mechanical and electrical failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines vehicle control and mission control functions into a single integrated control system using a shared backplane architecture. Multiple processing cards (vehicle control card, mission control card, payload control card) are mounted on the same backplane and share common power supply, grounding, and mechanical support structures, thereby reducing overall system weight while maintaining functional separation through software and communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The backplane architecture is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate various types of control cards for different functions (vehicle control, mission control, payload control). This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated hardware systems for each function, reducing total system weight while providing comprehensive control capabilities through a single integrated structure.
2Reliability
If traditional backplane architectures with multiple card configurations are used, then vehicle control and mission control functions can be provided, but the system requires significant space and is prone to mechanical and electrical failures due to environmental stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple control functions into a single compact backplane assembly, reducing the overall space required compared to separate dedicated systems. The shared mechanical structure, power distribution network, and communication bus reduce the total volume occupied by control electronics while maintaining all necessary control capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual hardware components are provided for each vehicle control system and mission control system, then dedicated control functions are achieved, but the hardware requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional modules (vehicle control card, mission control card, payload control card) that are software-defined and communication-based rather than hardware-bound. Each card can be independently configured and replaced, providing high adaptability for different mission requirements while simplifying hardware management through modular, hot-swappable components with standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
A universal backplane architecture provides standardized mechanical, electrical, and communication interfaces that support multiple types of control cards. This universal platform allows the same hardware infrastructure to support diverse control functions through software configuration rather than dedicated hardware design, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A processing system for an unmanned vehicle (UV) such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is provided. The processing system comprises a first processing unit of an integrated circuit and a second processing unit of the integrated circuit. The processing system comprises a first operating system provisioned using the first processing unit. The first operating system is configured to execute a first vehicle control process. The processing system comprises a virtualization layer configured using at least the second processing unit, and a second operating system provisioned using the virtualization layer. The second operating system is configured to execute a second vehicle control process.