Redundant Flight Control System to Promote Resiliency for Beyond Visual Line-Of-Sight UAS Operations

This research provides a technical overview of redundant flight control architectures for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) and Unmanned Aircraft (UA) exceeding 25 lbs Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW). Building upon prior studies, it identifies key limitations in non-redundant architectures and proposes two resilient solutions: a dual parallel redundant power distribution system and a 'Watchdog' architecture. These designs, focused on ArduPilot-based flight computers, can integrate with other systems using serial protocols, promoting adaptability across airframes.
The proposed architectures enhance aircraft safety and compliance with emerging federal regulations requiring redundancy for Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) operations overpopulated or high-risk areas. This study establishes a foundation for manufacturers to adopt resilient systems architectures, ensuring public safety while advancing the UAS industry.