FLIGHT TECHNICAL CONTROL MANAGEMENT FOR AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE

• US 20110035149A1
• Filed: 07/06/2009
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Moorman, A. Christopher, McAndrew, Katherine, Feist, Jon, Watson, Linda J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,515,609 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/205
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 19/00 Aircraft control not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0038 by providing the operator with simple or augmented images from one or more cameras located onboard the vehicle, e.g. tele-operation images analyzed by a computer and used for automatic navigation G05D1/0246
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0077 using redundant signals or controls
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0039 Modification of a flight plan
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/006 in accordance with predefined flight zones, e.g. to avoid prohibited zones
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0069 specially adapted for an unmanned aircraft

Abstract

Two architectures for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a method for executing a mission plan are provided. One architecture for a UAV includes a flight command and mission execution (FCME) component making strategic decisions, a flight technical control manager (FTCM) making tactical decisions and a vehicle management system (VMS) providing navigational support. The FCME and FTCM execute on one processor and the VMS executes on a separate processor. The second architecture includes redundant processors for executing the FCME and FTCM as well as redundant processors for executing the VMS. The UAV executes a mission plan, which may include flight plan(s), communication plan(s), weapons plan(s), sensor plan(s), and/or contingent flight plan(s). The UAV may control various optical sensors, training sensors, and lights as well.

Claims

1. An aerial vehicle, comprising:

a processing unit;

data storage; and

machine-language instructions, stored in the data storage and executable by the processing unit to perform functions, the functions comprising;

receiving a mission plan comprising a flight plan,

validating the mission plan,

executing the mission plan by at least directing the aerial vehicle to travel along the flight plan,

determining that a current location of the aerial vehicle is outside the flight plan, and

responsively executing a contingent flight plan.

2. The aerial vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a radio;

and

wherein the functions further comprise communicating with a ground control via the radio.

3. The aerial vehicle of claim 2, wherein the functions further comprise:

determining an integrated-platform mode;

receiving one or more commands from the ground control; and

determining the one or more commands are appropriate for the integrated-platform mode.

4. The aerial vehicle of claim 3, wherein the integrated-platform mode is a mode selected from the group of an integrated-platform-safe mode, an integrated-platform-maintenance mode, an integrated-platform-training mode, and an integrated-platform-operational mode.

5. The aerial vehicle of claim 2, wherein the functions further comprise:

handing-off between a control aboard the aerial vehicle and the ground control.

6. The aerial vehicle of claim 2, wherein receiving the mission plan comprises:

receiving at least part of the mission plan from the ground control via the radio.

7. The aerial vehicle of claim 2, wherein the instructions for executing the mission plan comprise instructions for providing, via the radio, a health report for the aerial vehicle while executing the mission plan.

8. The aerial vehicle of claim 1, wherein the functions further comprise:

rendering the aerial vehicle useless.

9. The aerial vehicle of claim 8, further comprising a sensor, and wherein the functions further comprise:

receiving data from the sensor, and

controlling the sensor.

10. The aerial vehicle of claim 1, further comprising at least one light, and wherein the functions comprise:

controlling the at least one light.

11. An aerial vehicle, comprising:

a first redundant processing unit, comprising a first processor and a second processor;

a first data storage; and

first machine-language instructions, stored in the first data storage and executable by at least one processor of the first redundant processing unit to perform first functions, the first functions comprising;

receiving a mission plan comprising a flight plan and a contingency plan,

validating the mission plan,

executing the mission plan based on the flight plan, and

synchronizing the first processor and the second processor.

12. The aerial vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a second redundant processing unit, coupled with the first redundant processing unit, wherein the second redundant processing unit comprises a third processor and a fourth processor.

13. The aerial vehicle of claim 12, further comprising:

a second data storage, and

second machine-language instructions, stored in the second data storage executable by at least one processor of the second redundant processing unit to perform second functions, the second functions comprising;

receiving navigational data from at least one navigational sensor,

determining a current location of the aerial vehicle based on the navigational data, and

communicating the current location of the aerial vehicle to at least one processor of the first redundant processing unit.

14. The aerial vehicle of claim 13, comprising the at least one navigational sensor.

15. The aerial vehicle of claim 13, further comprising a fuel sensor, and wherein the second functions further comprise:

receiving fuel data from the fuel sensor;

determining a fuel level based on the fuel data; and

communicating the fuel level to at least one processor of the first redundant processing unit.

16. The aerial vehicle of claim 12, wherein the first functions further comprise:

communicating the flight path to at least one processor of the second redundant processing unit.

17. A method for executing a mission plan, comprising:

receiving the mission plan at an aerial vehicle, wherein the mission plan comprises a flight plan, a sensor plan, a communication plan, a contingency flight plan, and a weapon plan;

determining that the mission plan is valid;

responsively sending a notification indicating the mission plan is valid;

loading the mission plan into one or more processors of the aerial vehicle;

and executing at least part of the mission plan.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the flight plan comprises one or more waypoints.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

determining that the mission plan is not valid; and

responsively requesting retransmission of at least part of the mission plan.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein loading the mission plan into one or more processors comprises sending one or more commands to at least one of the one or more processors.