The present paper describes an embedded system architecture, based on genetic algorithms, aiming safety mission execution by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). A two-dimensional non-convex environment is considered since obstacle avoidance happens. The embedded system integrates the Mission Oriented Sensor Array (MOSA) and In-Flight Awareness (IFA) systems, where MOSA is responsible for mission accomplishment and IFA stands for flight safety. The features of MOSA and IFA are combined under a platform that applies promising genetic algorithm approaches from literature to reach their goals. First, the genetic algorithms performance running from the embedded system is compared against their performance on a personal computer architecture. Next, the proposed system is evaluated in a real-world scenario using Software-In-The-Loop (SITL) technique. The computational results showed that the embedded system provides reliable results.

Safety critical systems (e.g., an avionics control system for safe flight) are often required to achieve certification under pre-established standards (e.g., DO-178B for software considerations in airborne systems and equipment certification). We have been working with our industrial partner for the last three years to develop product line assets for their avionics software product line (SPL) and, recently, we encountered two major challenges regarding certification. Firstly, an individual product must be certified, but each may require a different certification level: there might be variations in the certification requirements according to specific system usage contexts. Secondly, certification involves not only product but also process, as standards such as DO-178B also assess the quality of the development process. In this paper, we propose to include a certification view during feature modelling to provide a better understanding of the relationships between features and a certification level required for each product. The experience of introducing certification into the design model of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) SPL is presented to illustrate some key ideas. We also describe the lessons we have learned from this experience.

This paper presents the technical details of Tiriba, which is a small autonomous electrical airplane used into pre-defined missions and applications such as agricultural and environmental monitoring. This class of aircrafts has taken advantage of the miniaturization of electronic components and modules such as GPS receivers, digital cameras, wireless communication equipment, and other sensors. One of the main components of Tiriba is the autopilot module, which is capable to control the aircraft and keep it in a predefined route. This paper addresses the use of model driven development of the system and its multiprocessor platform to support the four components that compose the UAV control software architecture.