Layered architecture for customer payload systems

Abstract

A layered architecture for customer payload systems is disclosed to provide a scalable, reconfigurable integration platform targeted at multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and remove both UAV specific and payload equipment specific characteristics that increase complexity during integration. The layered architecture is a modular design architecture that is split by function. Standard interfaces are implemented between functional layers to increase reconfiguration possibilities and to allow reuse of existing components and layers without modification to the payload or UAV. The standard interfaces also promote easy connection and disconnection from other layer components. Additionally, once the layered architecture is implemented, technological or functional requirements changes can be isolated to one specific component layer, not the entire payload stack. As a result, payload designs based on the layered architecture reduces design time and cost, and allows for easier integration, operation, upgrades, maintenance, and repair.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A layered architecture for customer payload systems in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), comprising:
 a platform layer that provides standard mechanical interfaces and electrical interfaces of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV);   an equipment layer that contains customer payload equipment;   a data link layer that contains a data link transceiver for controlling the customer payload equipment;   a first standard interface between the platform layer and the equipment layer to enable two or more platform and equipment layer components to be compatible with each other; and   a second standard interface between the equipment layer and the data link layer to enable two or more equipment and data link layer components to be compatible with each other.   
     
     
         28 . The layered architecture of  claim 27 , wherein the equipment layer includes at least one interface that is capable of being coupled to a sensor system. 
     
     
         29 . The layered architecture of  claim 28 , wherein said at least one interface includes one or more radio frequency (RF) interfaces for systems that need RF connections. 
     
     
         30 . The layered architecture of  claim 28 , wherein said at least one interface includes a video interface coupled to a video source. 
     
     
         31 . The layered architecture of  claim 27 , wherein the data link layer includes at least one interface that is capable of being coupled to a sensor system. 
     
     
         32 . The layered architecture of  claim 31 , wherein said at least one interface includes one or more radio frequency (RF) interfaces for systems that need RF connections. 
     
     
         33 . The layered architecture of  claim 31 , wherein said at least one interface includes a video interface. 
     
     
         34 . The layered architecture of  claim 33 , further comprising a video source embedded into the data link layer and coupled to the video interface. 
     
     
         35 . The layered architecture of  claim 27 , wherein the equipment layer contains peripheral components unique to the customer payload equipment. 
     
     
         36 . The layered architecture of  claim 27 , wherein the platform layer provides power from the UAV to the equipment layer and the data link layer. 
     
     
         37 . The layered architecture of  claim 27 , wherein the platform layer provides data paths between the UAV and the equipment layer. 
     
     
         38 . The layered architecture of  claim 27 , wherein the equipment layer communicates to ground equipment using the date link layer or a built-in data link on the UAV through the platform layer. 
     
     
         39 . The layered architecture of  claim 27 , wherein each of the platform layer, the equipment layer, and the data link layer includes one or more data interfaces for transmitting bi-directional command and control data between an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and the layered architecture. 
     
     
         40 . A layered architecture for customer payload systems in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), comprising:
 a platform layer that provides standard mechanical interfaces and electrical interfaces of a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV);   an equipment layer that contains customer payload equipment; and   a standard interface between the platform layer and the equipment layer to enable two or more platform and equipment layer components to be compatible with each other, wherein the equipment layer communicates to ground equipment using a built-in data link on the UAV.   
     
     
         41 . The layered architecture of  claim 40 , wherein the equipment layer includes at least one interface that is capable of being coupled to a sensor system. 
     
     
         42 . The layered architecture of  claim 41 , wherein said at least one interface includes one or more radio frequency (RF) interfaces for systems that need RF connections. 
     
     
         43 . The layered architecture of  claim 41 , wherein said at least one interface includes a video interface coupled to a video source. 
     
     
         44 . A layered architecture for customer payload systems in unmanned aerial vehicles, comprising:
 a platform layer that standardizes mechanical interfaces and electrical interfaces of a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV);   a data link layer that contains a data link transceiver for controlling customer payload equipment; and   a standard interface between the platform layer and the data link layer to enable two or more platform and data link layer components to be compatible with each other, wherein data is sent from a ground control station to the UAV and then relayed to a remote site.   
     
     
         45 . The layered architecture of  claim 44 , wherein the data link layer includes at least one interface that is capable of being coupled to a sensor system. 
     
     
         46 . The layered architecture of  claim 45 , wherein said at least one interface includes one or more radio frequency (RF) interfaces for systems that need RF connections. 
     
     
         47 . The layered architecture of  claim 45 , wherein said at least one interface includes a video interface.