Autonomous command and control unit for mobile platform

Claim 2

In a vehicle designed for the execution of a mission, a programmable decision unit for managing and controlling the execution of the mission by utilizing a plurality of subsystems and database means for holding and managing data including pre-stored data and data acquired by and received from said plurality of subsystems, which programmable decision unit comprises a mission plan (MP), for accomplishing the execution of said mission that utilizes said database, the MP comprising: (a) a plurality of states each being a mission state representing a mission segment to be executed by at least one of the subsystems and including mission states that are defined as "mission start", "mission complete" and "mission failed"; and (b) a plurality of arcs linking said states and each signifying transition conditions between two mission states which it links; the operation of managing and controlling the execution of the mission includes a succession of iterations that include each: (i) assignment of a mission segment associated with a current mission state to at least one of said subsystems; (ii) receipt from the subsystems of report data which include data indicative of the execution status of said mission segment by said at least one subsystem; (iii) evaluation of said report data for determining at least either of normal behavior and exceptional event; and (iii.1) in response to normal behavior, either staying in current mission state of the MP or transiting from the current mission state of the MP to another in the case that said report data, or portion thereof, satisfy said transition conditions; or (iii.2) in response to exceptional event eliciting a responsive action in order to accomplish the execution of said mission; said programmable decision unit manages and controls the execution of said mission in essentially autonomous fashion.

Claim 3

The decision unit according to claim 1, being capable of classifying said exceptional event as belonging to a first group, constituting a replanning group, or a second group, constituting non-replanning group, and in response to a first group classification, said decision unit activates an associated planner module, for short time, while-on-mission, modifications of said mission plan either partially or in its entirety.

Claim 4

The decision unit according to claim 2, wherein said responsive action being one of the following a to h options: a) no change at all, keep executing said MP, no change of mission state; b) make a minor modification in the MP, or a parameter thereof with no change of mission state, then update the database and execute the modified MP; c) transit the mission state to a new mission state of the MP, not according to a regular transition sequence; then execute the MP, while being at the new mission state; d) select a new MP out of the bank of pre-stored MP according to a selection criteria, then update the database, and execute the new selected MP; e) select and combine pre-stored MPs, or pre-stored MP segments thereof, into a new combined MP, then, update the database and execute the combined MP; f) re-plan an alternative MP or segments thereof by utilizing said planner module; then update the database and execute the replanned MP; g) reconfigure the AV either by replacing an inoperative device or module in a subsystem, by an identical backup device, or activate other modules in the subsystem; then continue according to the MP; and h) select a crisis recovery MP, out of a bank of pre-stored crisis recovery MPs according to selection criteria; then update the database and execute the selected crisis recovery MP.

Claim 5

The decision unit according to claim 1, wherein said MP is downloaded, in its entirety, to said database prior to departure to said mission.

Claim 6

The decision unit according to claim 2, wherein said portion of said MP is downloaded prior to departure to said mission whereas the remaining portion thereof is planned by said planner module while-on-mission.

Claim 7

The decision unit according to claim 2, wherein said planner module employs at least one of the following techniques: dynamic programming Dijkstra, neural network, genetic algorithm, linear programming, gradient search, Newton search, heuristic, simulated annealing, integral equations, differential equations, difference equations, fuzzy models, random search, learning techniques non-linear programming, digital filters, continuous time filters, A*, unimodel search and multi-model search.

Claim 8

The decision unit according to claim 2, wherein said planner module generates at least two MPs having each a plan score assigned thereto in accordance with predetermined criteria; said planner module selects the MP having the highest score.

Claim 9

The decision unit according to claim 7, wherein said planner module further comprising a simulator sub-module for simulating the operation of each one the at least two MPs for assigning thereto said score.

Claim 10

The decision unit according to claim 8, wherein said simulator module employs at least one of the following techniques: dynamic programming, Dijkstra, neural network, genetic algorithm, linear programming, gradient search, Newton search, heuristic, simulated annealing, integral equations, differential equations, difference equations, fuzzy models, random search, learning techniques non-linear programming, digital filters, continuous time filters and A*.

Claim 11

The decision unit according to claim 1, wherein said decision unit is responsive to, essentially simultaneous at least two of said events, for generating a combined response.

Claim 12

The decision unit according to claim 10, wherein said combined response is dependent upon at least one of the following factors: the degree of the abnormal event, the system state, the mission context, the sub-system status, risk to mission accomplishment and the priority of responses.

Claim 13

The decision unit according to claim 10, wherein said combined response follows one of the following four modes: a) critical conflict mode; b) competitive conflict mode; c) cooperative mode; and d) complementary mode.

Claim 14

The decision unit according to claim 1, wherein said MP has at least two "mission complete" states.

Claim 15

The decision unit according to claim 1, wherein said MP has at least two "mission fail" states.

Claim 16

The decision unit according to claim 1, wherein said report data is received by employing either or both of polling and interrupt techniques.

Claim 17

The decision unit according to claim 1, functionally organized in a multi-level hierarchy.

Claim 18

An autonomous vehicle (AV) having a decision unit as defined in claim 1.

Claim 19

The AV according to claim 17, selected from the group of air AV, space AV, ground AV, underground AV, sea AV, underwater AV and autonomous missile.

Claim 20

A system comprising a fleet of AV's for accomplishing a common mission, wherein each AV is as defined in claim 17.

Claim 21

A system according to claim 19, in which at least two of said AVs are adapted to operate in a cooperative mode of operation for accomplishing said common mission.

Claim 22

A system according to claim 19 comprising a fleet of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles--AUVs for a Mine Clearing application.

Claim 23

A system according to claim 19 comprising a fleet of air AVs for intercepting tactical ballistic missiles over enemy territory.

Claim 24

A system according to claim 19 comprising a fleet of UGVs for warfare application.

Claim 25

The decision unit according to claim 1, wherein said portion of said MP is downloaded prior to departure to said mission whereas the remaining portion thereof is planned by said planner module while-on-mission.

Claim 26

In an autonomous vehicle (AV) designed for the execution of a mission, and having an autonomous programmable decision unit for managing and controlling the execution of the mission by utilizing a plurality of subsystems and database means for holding and managing data including pre-stored data and data acquired by and received from said plurality of subsystems, said autonomous programmable decision unit being functionally organized in a three-level hierarchy architecture of a top level, an intermediate level and a leaf level; said top level having a mission manager (MM) comprising a mission manager mission plan (MM MP) for accomplishing the execution of said mission that utilizes said database; said MP graph consisting of a plurality of states each being a mission manager's mission state (MM MS) and including MM MS that are defined as "mission start", "mission complete" and "mission failed"; and a plurality of arcs linking said states each signifying transition conditions between two Mm MSs which it links; said intermediate level comprising a plurality of system managers (SM), subordinated to said MM, and comprising each a system manager's operational plan (SOP) that utilizes said database; said leaf level comprising a plurality of subsystems each subordinated to one only of said SM's; each MM MS representing a MM mission segment, to be assigned to at least one of the SMs, in terms of at least one essentially functionally defined task and its associated constraints and parameters; the SOP of each SM determining an SOP mission segment for assignment to and execution by the subsystem subordinated thereto in terms of detailed design of said essentially functionally defined task; the operation of managing and controlling the execution of the mission including a succession of iterations that include each: (i) assignment of an MM mission segment associated with a current MM MS via said at least one SM to said at least one subsystem; (ii) receipt by each one of said at least one SM from its subordinated subsystem intermediate level report data which include data indicative of the execution status of said SOP mission segment by said subsystem; (iii) receipt by said MM from the SMs top level report data which include data indicative of the execution status of said MM mission segment by said at least one sub system; (iv) evaluation of said top level report data for determining either of normal behavior and an exceptional event; and (iv.1) in response to normal behavior either staying in current MM MS or transiting from the current MM MS to another in the case that said top level report data, or portion thereof, satisfy said transition conditions; or (iv.2) in response to exceptional event eliciting a responsive action from the MM in order to accomplish the execution of said mission.

Claim 27

In an autonomous vehicle (AV) designed for the execution of a mission, and having an autonomous programmable decision unit for managing and controlling the execution of the mission by utilizing a plurality of subsystems and database means for holding and managing data including pre-stored data and data acquired by and received from said plurality of subsystems, said autonomous programmable decision unit being functionally organized in a three-level hierarchy architecture of a top level, an intermediate level and a leaf level; said top level having a mission manager (MM) comprising a mission manager mission plan (MM MP) for accomplishing the execution of said mission that utilizes said database; said MP graph consisting of a plurality of states each being a mission manager's mission state (MM MS) and including MM MS that are defined as "mission start", "mission complete" and "mission failed"; and a plurality of arcs linking said states each signifying transition conditions between two Mm MSs which it links; said intermediate level comprising a plurality of system managers (SM), subordinated to said MM, and comprising each a system manager's operational plan (SOP) that utilizes said database; said leaf level comprising a plurality of subsystems each subordinated to one only of said SM's; each MM MS representing a MM mission segment, to be assigned to at least one of the SMs, in terms of at least one essentially functionally defined task and its associated constraints and parameters; the SOP of each SM determining an SOP mission segment for assignment to and execution by the subsystem subordinated thereto in terms of detailed design of said essentially functionally defined task; the operation of managing and controlling the execution of the mission including a succession of iterations that include each: (i) assignment of an MM mission segment associated with a current MM MS via said at least one SM to said at least one subsystem; (ii) receipt by each one of said at least one SM from its subordinated subsystem intermediate level report data which include data indicative of the execution status of said SOP mission segment by said subsystem; (iii) receipt by said MM from the SMs top level report data which include data indicative of the execution status of said MM mission segment by said at least one sub system; (iv) evaluation of said top level report data for determining either of normal behavior and an exceptional event; and (iv.1) in response to normal behavior either staying in current MM MS or transiting from the current MM MS to another in the case that said top level report data, or portion thereof, satisfy said transition conditions; or (iv.2) in response to exceptional event eliciting a responsive action from the MM in order to accomplish the execution of said mission.

Claim 28

A decision unit according to claim 25, wherein at least one of said SOP graphs consisting of a plurality of states each being an SM task state (SM TS) and including SM TS that are defined as "task start", "task complete" and "task failed"; and a plurality of arcs linking said states and each signifying transition conditions between two SM TS which it links, and wherein said SM: (ii.1) evaluates of said intermediate level report data for determining either of normal behavior and an exceptional event; and (ii.11) in response to normal behavior either staying in current SM TS or transiting from the current SM TS to a next one in the case that said intermediate level report data, or portion thereof, satisfy said transition conditions; or (ii.12) in response to an exceptional event eliciting a responsive action from the SM.

Claim 29

The decision unit according to claim 25, wherein said task parameters include operation mode, operation data and timing and synchronization data for the execution of said task or task portion.

Claim 30

The decision unit according to claim 25, wherein said MM classifies said exceptional event as belonging to a first group, constituting a replanning group, or a second group constituting non-replanning group, and in response to a first group classification, said MM activates an associated planner module for short time while-on-mission, modifications of said MM MP either partially or in its entirety.

Claim 31

The decision unit according to claim 28, wherein said responsive action of the MM being one of the following a to h options: a) no change at all, keep executing said MM MP, no change of MM mission state; b) make a minor modification in the MM MP, or a parameter thereof with no change of MM mission state, then update the database and execute the modified MM MP; c) transit the mission state to a new mission state of the MM MP, not according to a regular transition sequence; then execute the MM MP, while being at the new mission state; d) select a new MM MP out of a bank of pre-stored MM MP according to a selection criteria; then update the database, and execute the new selected MM MP; e) select and combine pre-stored MM MPs, or pre-stored MM MP segments thereof, into a new combined MM MP; then, update the database and execute the combined MM MP; f) re-plan an alternative MM MP or segments thereof by utilizing said planner module; then update the database and execute the replanned MM MP; g) reconfigure the AV either by replacing an inoperative device or module in a subsystem, by an identical backup device, or activate other modules in the subsystem; then continue according to the MM MP; and h) select a crisis recovery MM MP, out of a bank of pre-stored crisis recovery MM MPs according to selection criteria; then update the database and execute the selected crisis recovery MM MP.

Claim 32

The AV according to claim 25, wherein said MM comprising the following sub-modules, in combination: a) Mission Supervisor/Sequencer FPSM, b) System Managers Coordinator FPSM, c) Mission & System Monitor FPSM, d) Context/Situation Reasoner FPSM, e) Exceptional Event Handler FPSM, f) Global Planner/Coordinator FPSM, g) Cooperation Coordinator FPSM, h) Simulator/Evaluator FPSM, i) Memory and Data Base FPSM, j) Active Plan Memory FPSM, k) Data Organizer FPSM; and l) Communication/Interface FPSM.

Claim 33

The AV according to claim 28, wherein said planner module comprising, in combination: a) Planning manager FPSM, b) Requirements Definition FPSM, c) Procedure Selector FPSM, d) Plan Generator FPSM, e) Optimizer FPSM 417; and f) Plan Selector FPSM.

Claim 34

The AV according to claim 28, wherein said planner module is responsive to a plan command which includes the following parameters: a) plan type, b) planning initialization and synchronization parameters, c) time to complete plan; and d) operation mode--individual or, cooperative.

Claim 35

An AV having a decision unit according to claim 25, comprising the following six SMs: a) Flight Manager (FM), b) Navigation Manager (NM), c) Sensor Manager (SNM), d) Payload Manager (PM), e) Communication Manager (CM), and, f) Auxiliary Systems Manager (ASM); said AV further comprising the following six subsystems, respectively subordinated to said six SMs: a) Flight and Guidance Systems, b) Navigation System, c) Sensor System, d) Payload System, e) Communication System, and, f) Auxiliary Systems.

Claim 36

An AV according to claim 25, wherein said MM: a) initializes the AV operation, b) executes AV mission management and sequencing, according to said Mission Manager Mission Plan--MM MP, c) monitors the mission executing status, and subsystems health, d) analyzes the mission context and situation, e) executes global MP planning, plan adjustment, and replanning, f) generates and assigns tasks for assignment to the SMs, g) plans evaluation and simulation, h) makes decisions on responsive action in case of exceptional event or failure, i) responds in combination if multiple exceptional events occur simultaneously; and j) coordinates the AV operation in cooperative operation mode.

Claim 37

An AV according to claim 33, wherein said FM does: a) initializing of the operation of the Flight and Guidance System, b) Flight and Guidance System management and sequencing, following the mission and flight plan--SOP, c) planning and generate of detailed local Trajectory Plan--TP, according to the mission plan, where the TP has to be executed by the guidance and flight control subsystems, d) generate commands including operation (flight) mode, e) monitoring the flight execution status, and the Flight and Guidance System health status, f) report the flight execution status, and the Flight and Guidance sub-subsystems health status to MM g) makes decisions on responsive action to exceptional events which are related to flight and guidance, and to Flight and Guidance System failures, h) report to the MM on exceptional events; and i) runs BIT procedure of Flight and Guidance subsystems.

Claim 38

An AV according to claim 33, wherein said NM does: a) initializing of the operation of the Navigation System, b) calibration and alignment of the Navigation System, c) Navigation System management and sequencing, following the navigation plan--SOP, d) updates to the navigation plan, c) generate commands including operation (navigation) mode f) monitoring of the navigation execution status, and the Navigation System health status, g) report the navigation execution status, and the Navigation sub-systems health status to MM, h) make decision on responsive action to exceptional events which are related to navigation performance, and to Navigation System failures, i) control the distribution of the processed navigation data to the user FPMs, j) perform high level data processing, data association and data fusion functions, on data which is received from Navigation sub-systems, and/or from the Global Memory and Data Base, k) report to the MM on exceptional events and l) run BIT procedure of Navigation sub-systems.

Claim 39

An AV according to claim 33, wherein said SNM does: a) initializing of the operation of the Sensor System, b) initialization of the calibration of the Sensor System, c) Sensor System management and sequencing, following the sensing plan--SOP, d) updates to the sensing plan to cope with actual situation, e) generate commands including operation (search and sensing) mode, f) monitoring of the sensing execution status, and the Sensor System health status, g) reports of the sensing execution status, and the Sensor sub-systems health status to MM, h) decision on responsive action to exceptional events which are related to sensor performance, and to Sensor System failures, i) control the distribution of the sensor processed data to all the user FPMs, j) perform high level data processing, data association and data fusion functions, on data which is received from Sensor sub-systems, and/or from the Global Memory and Data Base--GMDB, k) report the MM on exceptional events; and l) run BIT procedure of Sensor sub-systems.

Claim 40

An AV according to claim 33, wherein said Payload Manager does: a) initializing of the operation of the Payload System, b) initiate the calibration of the Payload System, c) Payload System management and sequencing, following the payload operation plan--SOP, d) update the payload operating plan to cope with the actual situation, e) generate and transmit commands including payload operation mode and operation data/parameters to payload sub-system, f) monitoring the payload operation execution status, and the Payload System health status, g) report the payload execution status, and the Payload sub-systems health status to MM, h) decision on responsive action to exceptional events which are related to payload performance, and to Payload System failures, i) control the distribution of the payload processed data to all the user FPMs, j) perform high level data processing, data association and data fusion functions, on data which is received from payload sub-systems, and/or from the Global Memory and Data Base--GMDB, k) report the MM on excepted events; and l) run BIT procedure of Payload sub-systems.

Claim 41

An AV according to claim 33, wherein said CM does: a) initializing of the operation of the Communication System, b) Communication System management and sequencing, following the communication plan--SOP, c) update the communication plan to cope with the actual situation, d) organize the in-coming and the out-going transmissions, according to protocols, e) monitoring of the communication execution status, and the Communication System health status, f) report the communication execution status, and the Communication System health status to MM, g) decision on responsive action to exceptional events which are related to communication performance, and to Communication System failures, h) report the MM on exceptional events; and i) run BIT procedure of Communication System.

Claim 42

An AV according to claim 33, wherein said ASM does: a) initializing of the operation of the Auxiliary Systems, b) Auxiliary Systems management and sequencing, following the auxiliary systems operation plan--SOP, c) update the auxiliary systems operating plan to cope with the actual situation, d) generate and transmit commands including operation mode, and operation data parameters to auxiliary systems, e) monitoring of the auxiliary systems operation execution status, the resource level, and the Auxiliary Systems health status, f) report the auxiliary systems execution status, the resource level, and the Auxiliary Systems health status to MM, g) decision on responsive action to exceptional events which are related to auxiliary systems performance, and to Auxiliary Systems failures, h) report the MM on exceptional events; and i) run BIT procedure of Auxiliary sub-systems.

Claim 43

The decision unit according to claim 25, wherein said SM classifies said exceptional event as belonging to a first group, constituting a replanning group, or a second group, constituting non-replanning group, and in response to a first group classification, said SM activates an associated planner module, for short time, while-on-mission, modifications of said SOP either partially or in its entirety.

Claim 44

The decision unit according to claim 41, wherein said responsive action of the SM being one of the following a to h options: a) no change at all, keep executing said SOP, no change of SM task state; b) make a minor modification in the SOP, or a parameter thereof with no change of SOP task state, then update the database and execute the modified SOP; c) transit the task state to a new task state of the SOP, not according to a regular transition sequence; then execute the SOP, while being at the new task state; d) select a new SOP out of a bank of pre-stored SOPs according to a selection criteria; then update the database, and execute the new selected SOP; e) select and combine pre-stored SOPs, or pre-stored SOPs segments thereof, into a new combined SOP; then, update the database and execute the combined SOP; f) re-plan an alternative SM SOP or segments thereof by utilizing said planner module; then update the database and execute the replanned SOP; g) reconfigure the AV either by replacing an inoperative device or module in a subsystem, by an identical backup device, or activate other modules in the subsystem; then continue according to the SOP; and h) select a crisis recovery SOP, out of a bank of pre-stored crisis recovery SOPs according to selection criteria; then update the database and execute the selected crisis recovery SOP.

Claim 45

The decision unit according to claim 25, functionally organized in a multi-level hierarchy.

Claim 46

In a vehicle designed for the execution of a mission, a programmable decision unit for managing and controlling the execution of the mission by utilizing a plurality of subsystems and database means for holding and managing data including pre-stored data and data acquired by and received from said plurality of subsystems, which programmable decision unit comprises a mission plan (MP), for accomplishing the execution of said mission, comprising: (a) a plurality of states each being a mission state representing a mission segment to be executed by at least one of the subsystems and including mission states that are defined as "mission start", "mission complete" and "mission failed"; and (b) a plurality of arcs linking said states and each signifying transition conditions between two mission states which it links; the operation of managing and controlling the execution of the mission includes a succession of iterations that include each: (i) assignment of a mission segment associated with a current mission state to at least one of said subsystems; (ii) receipt from the subsystems of report data which include data indicative of the execution status of said mission segment by said at least one subsystem; (iii) evaluation of said report data for determining at least either of normal behavior and exceptional event; and (iii.1) in response to normal behavior, either staying in current mission state of the MP or transiting from the current mission state of the MP to another in the case that said report data, or portion thereof, satisfy and transition conditions; or (iii.2) in response to exceptional even eliciting a responsive action in order to accomplish the execution of said mission.

Claim 47

In a vehicle designed for the execution of a mission, a programmable decision unit for managing and controlling the execution of the mission by utilizing a plurality of subsystems and database means for holding and managing data including pre-stored data and data acquired by and received from said plurality of subsystems, which programmable decision unit comprises a mission plan (MP), for accomplishing the execution of said mission, comprising: (a) a plurality of states each being a mission state representing a mission segment to be executed by at least one of the subsystems and including mission states that are defined as "mission start", "mission complete" and "mission failed"; and (b) a plurality of arcs linking said states and each signifying transition conditions between two mission states which it links; the operation of managing and controlling the execution of the mission includes a succession of iterations that include each: (i) assignment of a mission segment associated with a current mission state to at least one of said subsystems; (ii) receipt from the subsystems of report data which include data indicative of the execution status of said mission segment by said at least one subsystem; (iii) evaluation of said report data for determining at least either of normal behavior and exceptional event; and (iii.1) in response to normal behavior, either staying in current mission state of the MP or transiting from the current mission state of the MP to another in the case that said report data, or portion thereof, satisfy and transition conditions; or (iii.2) in response to exceptional even eliciting a responsive action in order to accomplish the execution of said mission.

Claim 48

The decision unit according to claim 44, being capable of classifying said exceptional event as belonging to a first group, constituting a replanning group, or a second group, constituting non-replanning group, and in response to a first group classification, said decision unit is capable of activating an associated planner module, for short time, while-on-mission, modifications of said mission plan either partially or in its entirety.

Claim 49

The decision unit according to claim 45, wherein said responsive action being one of the following a to h options: a) no change at all, keep executing said MP, no change of mission state; b) make a minor modification in the MP, or a parameter thereof with no change of mission state, then update the database and execute the modified MP; c) transit the mission state to a new mission state of the MP, not according to a regular transition sequence; then execute the MP, while being at the new mission state; d) select a new MP out of a bank of pre-stored MP according to a selection criteria; then update the database, and execute the new selected MP; e) select and combine pre-stored MPs, or pre-stored MP segments thereof, into a new combined MP; then, update the database and execute the combined MP; f) re-plan an alternative MP or segments thereof by utilizing said planner module; then update the database and execute the replanned MP; g) reconfigure the AV either by replacing an inoperative device or module in a subsystem, by an identical backup device, or activate other modules in the subsystem; then continue according to the MP; and h) select a crisis recovery MP, out of a bank of pre-stored crisis recovery MPs according to selection criteria; then updated the database and execute the selected crisis recovery MP.

Claim 50

The decision unit according to claim 44, wherein said MP is downloaded, in its entirety, to said database prior to departure to said mission.

Claim 51

The decision unit according to claim 45, wherein said portion of said MP is downloaded prior to departure to said mission whereas the remaining portion thereof is planned by said planner module while-on-mission.

Claim 52

The decision unit according to claim 45, wherein said planner module employs at least one of the following techniques: dynamic programming, Dijkstra, neural network, genetic algorithm, linear programming, gradient search, Newton search, heuristic, simulated annealing, integral equations, differential equations, difference equations, fuzzy models, random search, learning techniques non-linear programming, digital filters, continuous time filters, A*, unimodel search and multi-model search.

Claim 53

The decision unit according to claim 45, wherein said planner module generates at least two MPs having each a plan score assigned thereto in accordance with predetermined criteria; said planner module is further selects the MP having the highest score.

Claim 54

The decision unit according to claim 50, wherein said planner module further comprising a simulator sub-module for simulating the operation of each one the at least two MPs for assigning thereto said score.

Claim 55

The decision unit according to claim 51, wherein said simulator module employs at least one of the following techniques: dynamic programming, Dijkstra, neural network, genetic algorithm, linear programming, gradient search, Newton search, heuristic, simulated annealing, integral equations, differential equations, difference equations, fuzzy models, random search, learning techniques non-linear programming, digital filters, continuous time filters and A*.

Claim 56

The decision unit according to claim 44, wherein said decision unit is responsive to, essentially simultaneous at least two of said events, for generating a combined response.

Claim 57

The decision unit according to claim 53, wherein said combined response is dependent upon at least one of the following factors: the degree of the abnormal event, the system state, the mission context, the sub-system status, risk to mission accomplishment and the priority of responses.

Claim 58

The decision unit according to claim 53, wherein said combined response follows one of the following four modes: a) critical conflict mode; b) competitive conflict mode; c) cooperative mode; and d) complementary mode.

Claim 59

The decision unit according to claim 44, wherein said report data is received by employing either or both of polling and interrupt techniques.

Claim 60

The decision unit according to claim 44, functionally organized in a multi-level hierarchy.

Claim 61

The decision unit according to claim 49, wherein said MP has at least two "mission complete" states.

Claim 62

The decision unit according to claim 49, wherein said MP has at least two "mission fail" states.

Claim 63

In a vehicle designed for the execution of a mission, a programmable decision unit for managing and controlling the execution of the mission by utilizing a plurality of subsystems and database means for holding and managing data including pre-stored data and data received from said plurality of subsystems, which programmable decision unit comprises a mission plan (MP) for accomplishing the execution of said mission, comprising: a plurality of mission segments to be executed by at least one of the subsystems; and the operation of managing and controlling the execution of the mission includes a succession of iterations that includes each: (i) assignment of a mission segment associated with a current mission state to at least one of said subsystems; (ii) receipt from the subsystems of report data which includes data indicative of the execution status of said mission segment by said at least one subsystem; (iii) evaluation of said report data for determining at least either of normal behavior and exceptional event.

Claim 64

In a vehicle designed for the execution of a mission, a programmable decision unit for managing and controlling the execution of the mission by utilizing a plurality of subsystems and database means for holding and managing data including pre-stored data and data received from said plurality of subsystems, which programmable decision unit comprises a mission plan (MP) for accomplishing the execution of said mission, comprising: a plurality of mission segments to be executed by at least one of the subsystems; and the operation of managing and controlling the execution of the mission includes a succession of iterations that includes each: (i) assignment of a mission segment associated with a current mission state to at least one of said subsystems; (ii) receipt from the subsystems of report data which includes data indicative of the execution status of said mission segment by said at least one subsystem; (iii) evaluation of said report data for determining at least either of normal behavior and exceptional event.