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.
Highlights
Frank Buschmann et al point out that “when experts work on a particular problem, it is unusual for them to tackle it by inventing a new solution that is completely distinct from existing ones
The so-called “Gang of Four” authors captured a wealth of software engineering experience about the design of object-oriented software
The MIT mathematician and engineer, Norbert Wiener, presciently identified a transdisciplinary approach in the mid-twentieth century for exploring regulatory systems—their structures, constraints, and possibilities. His cybernetic theory wisely emphasizes the importance of understanding and defining the functions and processes of systems involved in human-machine interactions where issues of communication, feedback, and control are non-trivial [9]
Summary
Frank Buschmann et al point out that “when experts work on a particular problem, it is unusual for them to tackle it by inventing a new solution that is completely distinct from existing ones. As Ayat Mesut points out, design patterns increase the maintainability, reusability, and understandability of a system They may promote the “Open-Closed Principle,” i.e., software should be open for extension and closed for inappropriate modification [5]. In the specialized field of real-time embedded systems, Bruce Powel Douglass’ book, Real-Time Design Patterns: Robust Scalable Architecture for Real-Time Systems, is highly influential. He assists computer engineers with the task of identifying large-scale strategic decisions that affect most software elements, coordinating and organizing system components and subsystems, managing memory and resources, defining how objects can be distributed across multiple systems, and mapping subsystem and component architectures to underlying hardware. We describe our simulation environment, consider future work and limitations, and provide conclusions
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