969 research outputs found
Cooperative Simultaneous Localization and Synchronization in Mobile Agent Networks
Cooperative localization in agent networks based on interagent time-of-flight
measurements is closely related to synchronization. To leverage this relation,
we propose a Bayesian factor graph framework for cooperative simultaneous
localization and synchronization (CoSLAS). This framework is suited to mobile
agents and time-varying local clock parameters. Building on the CoSLAS factor
graph, we develop a distributed (decentralized) belief propagation algorithm
for CoSLAS in the practically important case of an affine clock model and
asymmetric time stamping. Our algorithm allows for real-time operation and is
suitable for a time-varying network connectivity. To achieve high accuracy at
reduced complexity and communication cost, the algorithm combines particle
implementations with parametric message representations and takes advantage of
a conditional independence property. Simulation results demonstrate the good
performance of the proposed algorithm in a challenging scenario with
time-varying network connectivity.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures, 3 tables; manuscript submitted to IEEE
Transaction on Signal Processin
Distributed Estimation with Information-Seeking Control in Agent Network
We introduce a distributed, cooperative framework and method for Bayesian
estimation and control in decentralized agent networks. Our framework combines
joint estimation of time-varying global and local states with
information-seeking control optimizing the behavior of the agents. It is suited
to nonlinear and non-Gaussian problems and, in particular, to location-aware
networks. For cooperative estimation, a combination of belief propagation
message passing and consensus is used. For cooperative control, the negative
posterior joint entropy of all states is maximized via a gradient ascent. The
estimation layer provides the control layer with probabilistic information in
the form of sample representations of probability distributions. Simulation
results demonstrate intelligent behavior of the agents and excellent estimation
performance for a simultaneous self-localization and target tracking problem.
In a cooperative localization scenario with only one anchor, mobile agents can
localize themselves after a short time with an accuracy that is higher than the
accuracy of the performed distance measurements.Comment: 17 pages, 10 figure
Belief Consensus Algorithms for Fast Distributed Target Tracking in Wireless Sensor Networks
In distributed target tracking for wireless sensor networks, agreement on the
target state can be achieved by the construction and maintenance of a
communication path, in order to exchange information regarding local likelihood
functions. Such an approach lacks robustness to failures and is not easily
applicable to ad-hoc networks. To address this, several methods have been
proposed that allow agreement on the global likelihood through fully
distributed belief consensus (BC) algorithms, operating on local likelihoods in
distributed particle filtering (DPF). However, a unified comparison of the
convergence speed and communication cost has not been performed. In this paper,
we provide such a comparison and propose a novel BC algorithm based on belief
propagation (BP). According to our study, DPF based on metropolis belief
consensus (MBC) is the fastest in loopy graphs, while DPF based on BP consensus
is the fastest in tree graphs. Moreover, we found that BC-based DPF methods
have lower communication overhead than data flooding when the network is
sufficiently sparse
Simultaneous localization and mapping in millimeter wave networks with angle measurements
In this paper we propose a belief propagation (BP) based simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) approach suitable for millimeter wave (mm-Wave) networks. This approach leverages angle of arrival (AoA) and angle of departure (AoD) information with respect to multiple scatterers. Considering measurements from multiple base stations (BSs) and scatterers, seen as multiple sources, we solve out the data association problem from a centralized BP perspective, while jointly estimating the positions of both the mobile and scatterers. Simulations show that the proposed approach outperforms conventional distributed BS-wise BP methods in terms of estimation accuracy
Autonomous Swarm Navigation
Robotic swarm systems attract increasing attention in a wide variety of applications, where a multitude of self-organized robotic entities collectively accomplish sensing or exploration tasks. Compared to a single robot, a swarm system offers advantages in terms of exploration speed, robustness against single point of failures, and collective observations of spatio-temporal processes.
Autonomous swarm navigation, including swarm self-localization, the localization of external sources, and swarm control, is essential for the success of an autonomous swarm application. However, as a newly emerging technology, a thorough study of autonomous swarm navigation is still missing.
In this thesis, we systematically study swarm navigation systems, particularly emphasizing on their collective performance. The general theory of swarm navigation as well as an in-depth study on a specific swarm navigation system proposed for future Mars exploration missions are covered.
Concerning swarm localization, a decentralized algorithm is proposed, which achieves a near-optimal performance with low complexity for a dense swarm network.
Regarding swarm control, a position-aware swarm control concept is proposed. The swarm is aware of not only the position estimates and the estimation uncertainties of itself and the sources, but also the potential motions to enrich position information. As a result, the swarm actively adapts its formation to improve localization performance, without losing track of other objectives, such as goal approaching and collision avoidance.
The autonomous swarm navigation concept described in this thesis is verified for a specific Mars swarm exploration system. More importantly, this concept is generally adaptable to an extensive range of swarm applications
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