Software Engineering

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Towards a Pattern-Based System Architecture for a Low Power, Low Cost Ultra-Light Aircraft Flight Controller

Received: 24 June 2019    Accepted: 23 July 2019    Published: 15 August 2019
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Abstract

The definition and application of software and hardware patterns have been a major and very positive development in the field of computer engineering, in tandem with the deployment of agile and process architecture methodologies. In this article, we show how five time-triggered, real time system patterns developed by Michael J. Pont can be effectively employed to architect a low power, low cost flight controller. We adopt and apply Pont’s powerful pattern language for our research. The target platform is an ultra-light aircraft with tight constraints on mass and volume of any control hardware. Ultra-light in this context means that the aircraft has only one seat; weighs less than 254 pounds (115 kg) empty weight; has a maximum fuel capacity of 5 U.S. gallons (19 L); and has a top speed of 55 knots (102 km/h; 63 mph) calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight. We utilize the reliable Infineon C515C microcontroller, a member of the classic 8051 family of controllers for the hardware platform. This research makes a contribution to the engineering cybernetic issues of human-machine interface and control of an ultra-light aircraft.

DOI 10.11648/j.se.20190703.11
Published in Software Engineering (Volume 7, Issue 3, September 2019)
Page(s) 46-52
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Architectural Patterns, Embedded Systems, Flight Controls, Real Time Systems, Cybernetics

References
[1] F. Buschmann et al., Pattern-Oriented Software Architecture: A System of Patterns, vol. 1 (New York: Wiley, 1996), 2.
[2] See C. Alexander, Notes on the Synthesis of Form (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1964); C. Alexander et al., A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction (New York: Oxford University Press, 1977).
[3] Buschmann et al., Pattern-Oriented Software Architecture Volume 1, 1:1.
[4] E. Gamma et al., Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley Professional, 1994).
[5] Ayat Mesut, “Effect of Some Software Design Patterns on Real Time Software Performance” (Master of Science, Middle East Technical University, 2010), 1.
[6] M. Pont, Patterns for Time-Triggered Embedded Systems: Building Reliable Applications with the 8051 Family of Microcontrollers (New York: Addison-Wesley, 2001).
[7] E-CFR: TITLE 14—Aeronautics and Space, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, vol. TITLE 14—Aeronautics and Space, accessed May 2, 2019, https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title14/14cfr103_main_02.tpl.
[8] Pont, Patterns for Time-Triggered Embedded Systems, 30.
[9] Norbert Wiener, Cybernetics, or Control and Communication in the Animal and the Machine, 2nd ed. (Cambridge: The MIT Press, 1965).
[10] Pont, Patterns for Time-Triggered Embedded Systems, 255–296.
[11] Pont, Patterns for Time-Triggered Embedded Systems, 254–296.
[12] Pont, Patterns for Time-Triggered Embedded Systems, 757–756.
[13] Pont, Patterns for Time-Triggered Embedded Systems, 807–839.
[14] According to the IEEE specifications, “photodiodes are a two-electrode, radiation-sensitive junction formed in a semiconductor material in which the reverse current varies with illumination. Photodiodes are used for the detection of optical power and for the conversion of optical power to electrical power. Photodiodes can be PN, PIN, or avalanche. PN photodiodes feature a two-electrode, radiation-sensitive PN junction formed in a semiconductor material in which the reverse current varies with illumination. PIN photodiodes are diodes with a large intrinsic region sandwiched between P-doped and N-doped semiconducting regions. Photons absorbed in this region create electron-hole pairs that are then separated by an electric field, thus generating an electric current in a load circuit. Avalanche photodiodes are devices that utilize avalanche multiplication of photocurrent by means of hole-electrons created by absorbed photons. When the device's reverse-bias voltage nears breakdown level, the hole-electron pairs collide with ions to create additional hole-electron pairs, thus achieving a signal gain.” “Photodiodes Information,” IEEE GlobalSpec Engineering 360, accessed April 29, 2019, https://www.globalspec.com/learnmore/optics_optical_components/optoelectronics/photodiodes.
[15] Pont, Patterns for Time-Triggered Embedded Systems, 110–114.
[16] Pont, Patterns for Time-Triggered Embedded Systems, 139–143.
Author Information
  • Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Seton Hall University, New Jersey, USA;Department of Systematic Theology, Seton Hall University, New Jersey, USA;Department of Catholic Studies, Seton Hall University, New Jersey, USA

  • Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Seton Hall University, New Jersey, USA

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  • APA Style

    Joseph R. Laracy, Thomas Marlowe. (2019). Towards a Pattern-Based System Architecture for a Low Power, Low Cost Ultra-Light Aircraft Flight Controller. Software Engineering, 7(3), 46-52. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.se.20190703.11

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    ACS Style

    Joseph R. Laracy; Thomas Marlowe. Towards a Pattern-Based System Architecture for a Low Power, Low Cost Ultra-Light Aircraft Flight Controller. Softw. Eng. 2019, 7(3), 46-52. doi: 10.11648/j.se.20190703.11

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    AMA Style

    Joseph R. Laracy, Thomas Marlowe. Towards a Pattern-Based System Architecture for a Low Power, Low Cost Ultra-Light Aircraft Flight Controller. Softw Eng. 2019;7(3):46-52. doi: 10.11648/j.se.20190703.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.se.20190703.11,
      author = {Joseph R. Laracy and Thomas Marlowe},
      title = {Towards a Pattern-Based System Architecture for a Low Power, Low Cost Ultra-Light Aircraft Flight Controller},
      journal = {Software Engineering},
      volume = {7},
      number = {3},
      pages = {46-52},
      doi = {10.11648/j.se.20190703.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.se.20190703.11},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.se.20190703.11},
      abstract = {The definition and application of software and hardware patterns have been a major and very positive development in the field of computer engineering, in tandem with the deployment of agile and process architecture methodologies. In this article, we show how five time-triggered, real time system patterns developed by Michael J. Pont can be effectively employed to architect a low power, low cost flight controller. We adopt and apply Pont’s powerful pattern language for our research. The target platform is an ultra-light aircraft with tight constraints on mass and volume of any control hardware. Ultra-light in this context means that the aircraft has only one seat; weighs less than 254 pounds (115 kg) empty weight; has a maximum fuel capacity of 5 U.S. gallons (19 L); and has a top speed of 55 knots (102 km/h; 63 mph) calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight. We utilize the reliable Infineon C515C microcontroller, a member of the classic 8051 family of controllers for the hardware platform. This research makes a contribution to the engineering cybernetic issues of human-machine interface and control of an ultra-light aircraft.},
     year = {2019}
    }
    

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    AB  - The definition and application of software and hardware patterns have been a major and very positive development in the field of computer engineering, in tandem with the deployment of agile and process architecture methodologies. In this article, we show how five time-triggered, real time system patterns developed by Michael J. Pont can be effectively employed to architect a low power, low cost flight controller. We adopt and apply Pont’s powerful pattern language for our research. The target platform is an ultra-light aircraft with tight constraints on mass and volume of any control hardware. Ultra-light in this context means that the aircraft has only one seat; weighs less than 254 pounds (115 kg) empty weight; has a maximum fuel capacity of 5 U.S. gallons (19 L); and has a top speed of 55 knots (102 km/h; 63 mph) calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight. We utilize the reliable Infineon C515C microcontroller, a member of the classic 8051 family of controllers for the hardware platform. This research makes a contribution to the engineering cybernetic issues of human-machine interface and control of an ultra-light aircraft.
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