Simulation of Unmanned Aircraft System Performing Surveillance Mission Based on Advanced Distributed Architecture

The simulation of unmanned aircraft system (UAS) is a very challenging work, with the features of big system, complex object, large scale communication, and fine-grained model. This paper presents an advanced distributed architecture integrating UAS components or modules simultaneously. Relying on the principle of hierarchical design, the proposed architecture divides the simulation system into two relatively independent layers, e.g. kernel layer and function layer. The management module is designed particularly as the console to schedule and configure the whole simulation system. Meanwhile, we develop the UAS simulation modules such as ground station, UAV platform, virtual vision system, sensor platform, etc. The simulation of UAS component should take its corresponding realistic model as reference. The example implementation is finally introduced enabling the properties of high fidelity, self-adaptability, real-time ability and expandability.