UAV Trajectory Validation via Remote and On-Board Cross-Checking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for controlling unmanned aircraft without a pilot on board do not ensure sufficient integrity of the on-board trajectory, leading to potential inaccuracies and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
An electronic system comprising a remote device and an on-board device that communicate to validate and ensure the integrity of the aircraft's trajectory by comparing and validating the remote and on-board calculated trajectories against predefined thresholds, using modules for flight plan data acquisition, calculation, and validation to generate and transmit control instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If an on-board device calculates and executes trajectory independently, then the aircraft can operate autonomously, but the integrity of the on-board trajectory cannot be sufficiently ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the remote device receives the calculated on-board trajectory, compares it with a remotely calculated trajectory, and sends validation results back to the on-board device. This closed-loop feedback ensures that autonomous operation does not compromise trajectory integrity, as any deviations can be detected and corrected through the feedback channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication channel between the on-board device and remote device acts as an intermediary that enables trajectory validation without compromising autonomous operation. The intermediary allows the system to maintain both autonomy (by keeping the on-board device as the primary controller) and reliability (by enabling remote validation through the intermediary communication channel).
2Reliability
If a remote device validates the on-board trajectory, then the integrity of the trajectory is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the trajectory management system into two independent but interacting segments: the on-board device that calculates and executes the trajectory, and the remote device that validates the trajectory. This segmentation allows each component to remain relatively simple while the overall system achieves high reliability through the division of responsibilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the autonomous on-board trajectory calculation with remote validation capabilities into a unified flight management system. By combining these functions, the system achieves both autonomous operation and trajectory integrity validation without requiring completely separate independent systems, thus managing complexity while improving reliability.
3Measurement precision
If the on-board trajectory is validated against a remote trajectory, then the accuracy and safety are improved, but the communication requirements and system overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial validation by comparing only the essential trajectory parameters (position, altitude, timing) between on-board and remote calculations, rather than validating every detail. This partial action approach provides sufficient accuracy and safety validation without requiring excessive communication bandwidth or processing overhead, achieving a balance between precision and complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Said control (11) system (10) comprises: a remote device (12) comprising: - a remote module (20) for acquiring flight plan data, and - a remote module (22) for calculating a remote trajectory or a remote setpoint according to the flight plan data; an on-board device (14) comprising: - an on-board module (40) for acquiring flight plan data, - an on-board module (42) for calculating an on-board trajectory or an on-board setpoint according to the data acquired by the on-board acquisition module (40). The remote device (12) comprises a module (24) for validating the trajectory which is configured to: acquire the on-board and remote trajectory or setpoint; validate or reject the on-board trajectory or setpoint according to the remote trajectory or setpoint; transmit the outcome of the validation to the on-board device (14).