Geolocation of an aircraft using image registration coupling modes for autonomous navigation

This paper proposes to study an alternative technology to the GPS system on fixed wing aircraft using the aerial shots of landscapes from a ventral monocular camera integrated into the aircraft and based on the technology of image registration for aircraft geolocation purpose. Different types of use of the image registration technology exist: the relative registration and the absolute registration. The relative one is able to readjust position of the aircraft from two successive aerial shots by knowing the aircraft s position of image 1 and the overlap between the two images. The absolute registration compare a real time aerial shot with pre-referenced images stored in a database and permit the geolocation of the aircraft in comparing aerial shot with images of the database. Each kind of image registration technology has its own flaw preventing it to be used alone for aircraft geolocation. This study proposes to evaluate, according to different physical parameters ( aircraft speed, flight altitude, density of image points of interest), the coupling of these different types of image registration. Finally, this study also aims to quantify some image registration performances, particularly its execution time or its drift.Comment: 14 pages, 15 figure

Lunar and Planetary Science 36

Special sessions: Genesis: What We Know, Where We Stand, and the Future, and OMEGA@Mars: New Insights Into Surface Composition. Includes preface, table of contents, program, abstracts and indexes for the 36th LPSC.sponsors Lunar and Planetary Institute, NASA Johnson Space Centerprogram committee, Stephen J. Mackwell, co-chair, Eileen K. Stansbery, co-chair ... [and others] ; compiled by Lunar and Planetary Institute.PARTIAL CONTENTS: Why Small is Beautiful--and How to Detect Another 10 Billion Small Main Belt Asteroids / H. Haack, P.R. Bidstrup, R. Michelsen, A.C. Andersen, and J.L. Jørgensen -- Basalts in Mare Humorum and S.E. Procellarum / T. Hackwill, J.E. Guest, and P.D. Spudis -- Basalts in Mare Serenitatis, Lacus Somniorum, Lacus Mortis and Part of Mare Tranquillitatis / T. Hackwill, J.E. Guest, and P.D. Spudis -- Revised Thorium Abundances for Lunar Red Spots / J.J. Hagerty, D.J. Lawrence, R.C. Elphic, W.C. Feldman, D.T. Vaniman, and B.R. Hawke -- Integrating Global-Scale Mission Datasets, Understanding the Martian Crust / B.C. Hahn, S.M. McLennan, G.J. Taylor, and W.V. Boynton

Research and technology, 1992

Selected research and technology activities at Ames Research Center, including the Moffett Field site and the Dryden Flight Research Facility, are summarized. These activities exemplify the Center's varied and productive research efforts for 1992

NASA's University Program: Active projects, fiscal year 1981

Active university R and D activities funded by NASA which contribute to mission needs are documented. Technical rather than fiscal information is emphasized. A classification of government sponsored research is included. A cross index providing access to the project description is also included