Bridging Reactive and Control Architectural Layers for Cooperative Missions Using VTOL Platforms

In this paper we address the issue of connecting abstract task definitions at a mission level with control functionalities for the purpose of performing autonomous robotic missions using multiple heterogenous platforms. The heterogeneity is handled by the use of a common vocabulary which consists of parametrized tasks such as fly-to, take-off, scan-area, or land. Each of the platforms participating in a mission supports a subset of the tasks by providing their platform-specific implementations. This paper presents a detailed description of an approach for implementing such platform-specific tasks. It is achieved using a flight-command based interface with setpoint generation abstraction layer for vertical take-off and landing platforms. We show that by using this highly expressive and easily parametrizable way of specifying and executing flight behaviors it is straightforward to implement a wide range of tasks. We describe the method in the context of a previously described robotics architecture which includes mission delegation and execution system based on a task specification language. We present results of an experimental flight using the proposed method.