Autonomous Vehicle Testbed Using Closed-Loop Position Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for developing and testing vehicles, including flight, water, and land-based vehicles, are time-consuming and costly, with computer simulations simplifying complexities and prototype testing being expensive, limiting the number of flight hours and conditions due to operational and logistical constraints.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a position reference system and command and control architecture for rapid development and testing, enabling closed-loop feedback control of vehicles' position, movement, and stabilization, with health monitoring, allowing for efficient and cost-effective testing of vehicles and components in a controlled environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If computer simulations are used for vehicle development and testing, then testing time is reduced, but measurement precision and system complexity representation deteriorate due to simplifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical vehicle system through high-fidelity simulation models that replicate the actual vehicle dynamics, sensor behaviors, and environmental conditions. This virtual replica allows comprehensive testing without physical prototypes, resolving the contradiction by providing both time efficiency and accurate system representation through sophisticated modeling techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a simulation environment as an intermediary between physical prototypes and real-world testing. This intermediary layer allows algorithms to be tested in a virtual environment that closely mimics real conditions, reducing the need for extensive physical testing while maintaining measurement precision through accurate physics-based models.
2Measurement precision
If prototype testing is used for vehicle development, then measurement precision improves, but cost and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary testing and validation in the virtual environment before conducting physical prototype testing. Algorithms are developed, tested, and optimized in simulation first, which reduces the number of expensive physical test iterations needed. This preliminary action in virtual space maintains measurement precision while significantly reducing overall development time and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses virtual copies of the vehicle system to perform repeated testing iterations without the costs and time constraints of physical prototypes. These digital twins allow comprehensive algorithm validation that would be prohibitively expensive or time-consuming with physical testing alone.
3Reliability
If physical prototype testing is conducted, then reliability of test results improves, but operational costs and logistical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex physical prototype logistics with virtual testing infrastructure. The virtual environment eliminates needs for physical setup, teardown, and transportation while maintaining test result reliability through physics-based models and validated simulation approaches. This copying approach reduces logistical complexity while preserving reliability.
4Reliability
If extensive flight hours are accumulated for testing, then algorithm reliability improves, but operational costs and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent accumulates extensive testing experience and algorithm reliability in the virtual environment where safety risks are eliminated. The virtual copy allows unlimited testing scenarios including failure modes and edge cases that would be dangerous or expensive to test physically, while maintaining algorithm reliability through rigorous virtual validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses virtual testing to identify and resolve potential safety issues before physical testing begins. By cushioning against potential failures in the virtual environment, the system prevents harmful outcomes in physical testing while still achieving comprehensive algorithm validation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for development testing of vehicles and components are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a position reference system and a command and control architecture. The position reference system is configured to repetitively measure one or more position and motion characteristics of one or more vehicles operating within a control volume. The command and control architecture is configured to receive the repetitively measured characteristics from the position reference system, and to determine corresponding control signals based thereon. The control signals are then transmitted to the one or more vehicles to control at least one of position, movement, and stabilization of the one or more vehicles in a closed-loop feedback manner. The system may further include a health monitoring component configured to monitor health conditions of the one or more vehicles, the control signals being determined at least in part on the health conditions.