Universal Control Architecture for Unmanned Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current unmanned systems require platform-specific controllers, leading to fragmented control networks with limited situational awareness and increased operational complexity, especially as more systems are added.
Innovation Solution
A universal control architecture that allows multiple types of unmanned systems (air, ground, maritime) to be controlled simultaneously using a single common control device, enabling efficient engineering, deployment, training, maintenance, and upgrades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If platform-specific controllers are used for each unmanned system, then control precision for individual systems is maintained, but device complexity and operational overhead increase significantly as more systems are added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal controller that can control multiple types of unmanned systems (aerial, ground, maritime) through a common interface and control architecture. The controller is designed with multi-functionality to handle diverse platform types without requiring separate dedicated controllers for each system, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into modular components including a common control device, platform-specific control modules, and communication interfaces. This segmentation allows the universal controller to maintain precision for individual systems through dedicated control modules while managing overall system complexity through modular architecture.
2Reliability
If multiple separate control networks are used for different unmanned systems, then system independence and reliability are maintained, but situational awareness and coordination between systems are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate control networks into a unified control architecture where a single common control device manages multiple unmanned systems. This consolidation enables centralized situational awareness and coordination while maintaining system independence through logical separation of control modules, thereby reducing information loss without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal controller acts as an intermediary between multiple unmanned systems and the operator, consolidating information from various platforms and presenting a unified situational awareness view. This mediator approach enables coordination between systems while maintaining their operational independence and reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a universal control device is used for multiple unmanned systems, then device portability and operational flexibility improve, but control complexity and programming requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The universal controller is designed with multi-functionality to operate with diverse unmanned system types through a common interface. This universality provides operational flexibility and portability while the underlying modular architecture manages control complexity through standardized control modules for different platform types.
4Reliability
If separate controllers are used for each unmanned system, then training and certification can be system-specific, but training costs and time requirements increase with more systems
Solution Approach 1:
The universal controller provides a common operational interface across multiple unmanned system types, enabling operators to be trained on a single platform that can control various systems. This approach maintains operator proficiency and reliability while significantly reducing training time and costs compared to learning separate controllers for each system type.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system, method and computer readable medium for adding unmanned vehicles to a common command and control architecture. An unmanned vehicle is detected and vehicle information is received which comprises indications of movements types associated with the unmanned vehicle. Based on the vehicle information, one or more movement control models for moving the unmanned vehicle are determined, where each movement control model translates operator commands into movement instructions for the unmanned vehicle. The one or more movement control models is then assigned to an unmanned vehicle object and a plurality of test commands for the unmanned vehicle are generated, where each test command tests a movement control model. The plurality of sets of test commands are translated into a plurality of sets of movement instructions for the unmanned vehicle using the one or more movement control models and the plurality of sets of movement instructions are transmitted to the unmanned vehicle.