US 2010/0145556 A1 · MODULAR SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE FOR AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE

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.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of developing software to control a segmented and layered system comprising a plurality of devices, the method comprising:

determining integrated functionality for each of a plurality of segments of the segmented and layered system, each segment comprising a plurality of software entities arranged in one or more layers;
for each segment, associating one or more devices in the plurality of devices with the segment and assigning one or more of the plurality of software entities for the segment to each of the associated one or more devices;
determining a segment integrator for each segment in the plurality of segments;
determining one or more rules of engagement for the software;
and
developing the software to control the segmented and layered system based on the integrated functionality of each segment in the plurality of segments and the one or more rules of engagement, wherein the segmented and layered system comprises a computing device, and the software is executable on the computing device.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Modular software architecture for an unmanned aerial vehicle

Life of this patent

Modular software architecture for an unmanned aerial vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20