Software Engineering 2019; 7(3): 46-52 http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/se doi: 10.11648/j.se.20190703.11 ISSN: 2376-8029 (Print); ISSN: 2376-8037 (Online) Towards a Pattern-Based System Architecture for a Low Power, Low Cost Ultra-Light Aircraft Flight Controller Joseph R. Laracy 1, 2, 3, * , Thomas Marlowe 1 1 Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Seton Hall University, New Jersey, USA 2 Department of Systematic Theology, Seton Hall University, New Jersey, USA 3 Department of Catholic Studies, Seton Hall University, New Jersey, USA Email address: * Corresponding author To cite this article: Joseph R. Laracy, Thomas Marlowe. Towards a Pattern-Based System Architecture for a Low Power, Low Cost Ultra-Light Aircraft Flight Controller. Software Engineering. Vol. 7, No. 3, 2019, pp. 46-52. doi: 10.11648/j.se.20190703.11 Received: June 24, 2019; Accepted: July 23, 2019; Published: August 15, 2019 Abstract: The definition and application of software and hardware patterns have been a major and very positive development in the field of computer engineering, in tandem with the deployment of agile and process architecture methodologies. In this article, we show how five time-triggered, real time system patterns developed by Michael J. Pont can be effectively employed to architect a low power, low cost flight controller. We adopt and apply Pont’s powerful pattern language for our research. The target platform is an ultra-light aircraft with tight constraints on mass and volume of any control hardware. Ultra-light in this context means that the aircraft has only one seat; weighs less than 254 pounds (115 kg) empty weight; has a maximum fuel capacity of 5 U.S. gallons (19 L); and has a top speed of 55 knots (102 km/h; 63 mph) calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight. We utilize the reliable Infineon C515C microcontroller, a member of the classic 8051 family of controllers for the hardware platform. This research makes a contribution to the engineering cybernetic issues of human-machine interface and control of an ultra-light aircraft. Keywords: Architectural Patterns, Embedded Systems, Flight Controls, Real Time Systems, Cybernetics 1. Introduction Frank Buschmann et al. point out that “when experts work on a particular problem, it is unusual for them to tackle it by inventing a new solution that is completely distinct from existing ones. They often recall a similar problem they have already solved, and reuse the essence of the solution to solve the new problem [1].” The Austrian-American architect, Christopher Wolfgang Alexander, is widely regarded as the father of the patterns movement. His theories about the nature of design have impacted fields beyond architecture, including urban design and computer engineering [2]. In the area of computing, patterns “capture existing, well-proven experience in software [and hardware] development and help to promote good design practice [3].” Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software was and continues to be a major contribution to the field. The so-called “Gang of Four” authors captured a wealth of software engineering experience about the design of object-oriented software. They elegantly describe twenty-three patterns that allow software engineers to create extensible, sophisticated, and reusable designs [4]. As Ayat Mesut points out, design patterns increase the maintainability, reusability, and understandability of a system. They may also promote the “Open-Closed Principle,” i.e., software should be open for extension and closed for inappropriate modification [5]. In the specialized field of real-time embedded systems, Bruce Powel Douglass’ book, Real-Time Design Patterns: Robust Scalable Architecture for Real-Time Systems, is highly influential. He assists computer engineers with the task of identifying large-scale strategic decisions that affect most software elements, coordinating and organizing system components and subsystems, managing memory and resources, defining how objects can be distributed across multiple systems, and mapping subsystem and component architectures to underlying hardware. Michael J. Pont has also