Modular flight management system incorporating an autopilot

摘要

A modular vehicle management system is described, comprising a controller module configured to control different types of carrier modules. The controller module includes a computer system and optionally one or more sensors. The computer system is configured to perform operations comprising detecting whether a carrier module is connected to the controller module. If the carrier module is connected to the controller module, the carrier module is authenticated. If the authentication fails, operation of the vehicle is inhibited. The control module is configured to determine carrier module capabilities including information regarding a navigation processing device, and/or a radio modem. The controller adapts to the capabilities of the controller module. Using information from the sensors and the navigation processing device, the vehicle management system navigates the vehicle.

主权项

1. A modular flight management system for an unmanned vehicle, comprising:
a controller board for the unmanned vehicle configured to control a plurality of carrier modules of different configurations, the controller board including at least, on the same controller board: computer readable media storing an operating system for the unmanned vehicle;
a computer system configured to execute the operating system;a pressure sensor coupled to the computer system,a magnetometer coupled to the computer system,a MEMS (Micro-electromechanical systems) gyroscope coupled to the computer system;a MEMS (Micro-electromechanical systems) accelerometer coupled to the computer system;a connector configured to receive a carrier board for the unmanned vehicle;wherein the computer system is configured to perform operations comprising:
detecting whether a carrier board is connected to the connector;at least partly in response to detecting that the carrier board is connected to the connector, authenticating the carrier board to determine whether the carrier board is authorized to be connected to the controller board,wherein if the carrier board fails authentication by the control board, flight of the unmanned vehicle is inhibited by the flight management system;determining capabilities of the carrier board to determine at least information regarding:
a navigation satellite system signal processing device coupled to the carrier board, anda radio modem;adapting the operation of the controller board to the determined capabilities of the carrier board;accessing a desired location or route;receiving signals from the pressure sensor, the MEMS accelerometer, the magnetometer, the MEMS gyroscope, and the navigation satellite system signal processing device;based at least in part on the received signals, determining a location, an altitude, velocity, attitude and a heading of the unmanned vehicle and navigating the unmanned vehicle in accordance with the desired location or route,wherein the modular flight management system for the unmanned vehicle is configured in size and weight for the unmanned vehicle.