Modular software architecture for an unmanned aerial vehicle
First Claim
1. A segmented and layered system comprising a plurality of devices, wherein the segmented and layered system comprises an aerial vehicle, the segmented and layered system further comprising:
- a computing device;
data storage that stores instructions executable on the computing device to control the segmented and layered system;
a plurality of segments, each segment comprising a plurality of software entities arranged in one or more layers, wherein each segment is associated with one or more devices in the plurality of devices, and wherein one or more software entities of the plurality of software entities for the segment is assigned to each of the associated one or more devices;
a segment integrator for each segment in the plurality of segments, wherein interaction between the plurality of software entities of segments of the plurality of segments is governed by one or more rules of engagement, and wherein a first rule of engagement of the one or more rules of engagement specifies a first rule of interaction that requires a first device of the one or more devices associated with a first segment in the plurality of segments provide information to each of the one or more devices associated with the first segment in the plurality of segments using a segment integrator for the first segment in the plurality of segments,wherein the plurality of devices comprises;
a control panel;
an engine control unit (ECU);
one or more flight control devices;
one or more navigation devices; and
one or more communication devices, wherein the one or more communication devices comprise one or more radios, one or more data links, or a combination of one or more radios and one or more data links; and
a processor, wherein the plurality of segments comprises;
an electrical segment, configured to interface with the control panel,a propulsion segment, configured to interface with the ECU,a flight management segment, configured to interface with the one or more flight control devices,a navigation segment, configured to interface with one or more navigation devices, anda data link segment, configured to interface with the one or more communication devices.
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Abstract
A method for developing software as a layered, segmented system having diverse functionalities, based on a software architecture and an aerial vehicle utilizing the software architecture are provided. The software architecture for the aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes an electrical segment, a propulsion segment, a flight management segment, a navigation segment, a data link segment, and perhaps a payload segment. Each segment includes a number of software modules and objects, and each segment interfaces with or controls one or more devices. The software architecture also includes a number of layers, including an executive layer for managing execution rates of the segments, a vehicle controller layer for coordinating activities across segments, and various layers providing utilities, common services, and computing support including operating system support. Rules of engagement guiding interaction between software entities within the software architecture are specified.
58 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A segmented and layered system comprising a plurality of devices, wherein the segmented and layered system comprises an aerial vehicle, the segmented and layered system further comprising:
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a computing device; data storage that stores instructions executable on the computing device to control the segmented and layered system; a plurality of segments, each segment comprising a plurality of software entities arranged in one or more layers, wherein each segment is associated with one or more devices in the plurality of devices, and wherein one or more software entities of the plurality of software entities for the segment is assigned to each of the associated one or more devices; a segment integrator for each segment in the plurality of segments, wherein interaction between the plurality of software entities of segments of the plurality of segments is governed by one or more rules of engagement, and wherein a first rule of engagement of the one or more rules of engagement specifies a first rule of interaction that requires a first device of the one or more devices associated with a first segment in the plurality of segments provide information to each of the one or more devices associated with the first segment in the plurality of segments using a segment integrator for the first segment in the plurality of segments, wherein the plurality of devices comprises; a control panel; an engine control unit (ECU); one or more flight control devices; one or more navigation devices; and one or more communication devices, wherein the one or more communication devices comprise one or more radios, one or more data links, or a combination of one or more radios and one or more data links; and a processor, wherein the plurality of segments comprises; an electrical segment, configured to interface with the control panel, a propulsion segment, configured to interface with the ECU, a flight management segment, configured to interface with the one or more flight control devices, a navigation segment, configured to interface with one or more navigation devices, and a data link segment, configured to interface with the one or more communication devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A segmented and layered system comprising a plurality of devices, wherein the segmented and layered system comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the segmented and layered system further comprising:
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a computing device; data storage that stores instructions executable on the computing device to control the segmented and layered system; a plurality of segments, each segment comprising a plurality of software entities arranged in one or more layers, wherein each segment is associated with one or more devices in the plurality of devices, and wherein one or more software entities of the plurality of software entities for the segment is assigned to each of the associated one or more devices; and a segment integrator for each segment in the plurality of segments, wherein interaction between the plurality of software entities of segments of the plurality of segments is governed by one or more rules of engagement, and wherein a first rule of engagement of the one or more rules of engagement specifies a first rule of interaction that requires a first device of the one or more devices associated with a first segment in the plurality of segments provide information to a second device of the one or more devices associated with a second segment in the plurality of segments through a first segment integrator of the first segment and a second segment integrator of the second segment. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification