A Modular, NDAA Compliant Flight Computer

Flight research and validation in a relevant environment is a critical element in the maturation of aeronautics technology. A Research Flight Control System (RFCS) is typically used to conduct this work, which can integrate with additional or higher-quality instrumentation and sensors to facilitate research. Control of the vehicle can fall back to the production system if faults or unexpected behavior occur in the RFCS hardware or software, enabling a more streamlined flight approval process. The RFCS can facilitate rapid development and validation of autonomy and flight control software using a model-based process where algorithms are developed in MATLAB Simulink, validated in Software-In-the-Loop and Hardware-in-The-Loop simulation, automatically compiled to flight code, and uploaded to the RFCS onboard the vehicle. Bolder Flight Systems Inc. (BFS) and the University of Alabama (UA) propose to research, develop, and commercialize a National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compliant RFCS suitable for manned and unmanned aircraft called the Low-cost Infrastructure for Flight Test and Research (LIFTR). The concept is to develop a modular, high-performance, and low Cost, Size, Weight, and Power (C-SWaP) research flight control system comprised of three main components: a high-performance microcontroller, a System on Chip (SOC) autonomy processor, and a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) co-processor. Digital twins will be developed, enabling development and simulation of the entire system. Model reference blocks will enable researchers to develop, autocode, and upload software for each of these processors. Each processor will be implemented on a circuit board with high density connectors, enabling the development of motherboards with different processor configurations, integrated sensors, and ports to external peripherals. LIFTR will enable NASA to efficiently conduct flight research and validation and help usher in a new era of aeronautics technology.