Power method for robust diagonal unloading localization beamforming

We propose a robust version of the diagonal unloading (DU) beamforming for the acoustic source localization problem in high noise conditions. The DU beamformer exploits the subspace orthogonality property by the removal or the attenuation of the signal subspaces, obtained through the subtraction of an opportune diagonal matrix from the covariance matrix. As a result, it provides high-resolution directional response with low computational complexity. We show that a robust DU beamformer can be implemented by subtracting the largest eigenvalue of the estimated covariance matrix from the diagonal elements, and that this implementation is valid in general (i.e., for both the single-source and the multiple-source case). We propose the use of the power method for the estimation of the largest eigenvalue in the DU procedure. We show with numerical simulations that the proposed method improves the localization performance in high noise conditions without substantial increment of the computational cost. Applications for this method include a number of scenarios involving multirotor aerial systems due to its robustness to the noise and its low computational complexity

Onboard Audio and Video Processing for Secure Detection, Localization, and Tracking in Counter-UAV Applications

Nowadays, UAVs are of fundamental importance in numerous civil applications like search and rescue and military applications like monitoring and patrolling or counter-UAV where the remote UAV nodes collect sensor data. In the last case, flying UAVs collect environmental data to be used to contrast external attacks launched by adversary drones. However, due to the limited computing resources on board of the acquisition UAVs, most of the signal processing is still performed on a ground central unit where the sensor data is sent wirelessly. This poses serious security problems from malicious entities such as cyber attacks that exploit vulnerabilities at the application level. One possibility to reduce the risk is to concentrate part of the computing onboard of the remote nodes. In this context, we propose a framework where detection of nearby drones and their localization and tracking can be performed in real-time on the small computing devices mounted on board of the drones. Background subtraction is applied to the video frames for pre-processing with the objective of an on-board UAV detection using machine-vision algorithms. For the localization and tracking of the detected UAV, multi-channel acoustic signals are instead considered and DOA estimations are obtained through the MUSIC algorithm. In this work, the proposed idea is described in detail along with some experiments and, then, methods of effective implementation are provided

AI and IoT Meet Mobile Machines

Infrastructure construction is society's cornerstone and economics' catalyst. Therefore, improving mobile machinery's efficiency and reducing their cost of use have enormous economic benefits in the vast and growing construction market. In this thesis, I envision a novel concept smart working site to increase productivity through fleet management from multiple aspects and with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT)

AI and IoT Meet Mobile Machines: Towards a Smart Working Site

Infrastructure construction is society's cornerstone and economics' catalyst. Therefore, improving mobile machinery's efficiency and reducing their cost of use have enormous economic benefits in the vast and growing construction market. In this thesis, I envision a novel concept smart working site to increase productivity through fleet management from multiple aspects and with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT)

The Public Service Media and Public Service Internet Manifesto

This book presents the collectively authored Public Service Media and Public Service Internet Manifesto and accompanying materials.The Internet and the media landscape are broken. The dominant commercial Internet platforms endanger democracy. They have created a communications landscape overwhelmed by surveillance, advertising, fake news, hate speech, conspiracy theories, and algorithmic politics. Commercial Internet platforms have harmed citizens, users, everyday life, and society. Democracy and digital democracy require Public Service Media. A democracy-enhancing Internet requires Public Service Media becoming Public Service Internet platforms – an Internet of the public, by the public, and for the public; an Internet that advances instead of threatens democracy and the public sphere. The Public Service Internet is based on Internet platforms operated by a variety of Public Service Media, taking the public service remit into the digital age. The Public Service Internet provides opportunities for public debate, participation, and the advancement of social cohesion. Accompanying the Manifesto are materials that informed its creation: Christian Fuchs’ report of the results of the Public Service Media/Internet Survey, the written version of Graham Murdock’s online talk on public service media today, and a summary of an ecomitee.com discussion of the Manifesto’s foundations

Structural Health Monitoring Damage Detection Systems for Aerospace

This open access book presents established methods of structural health monitoring (SHM) and discusses their technological merit in the current aerospace environment. While the aerospace industry aims for weight reduction to improve fuel efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and to decrease maintenance time and operating costs, aircraft structures are often designed and built heavier than required in order to accommodate unpredictable failure. A way to overcome this approach is the use of SHM systems to detect the presence of defects. This book covers all major contemporary aerospace-relevant SHM methods, from the basics of each method to the various defect types that SHM is required to detect to discussion of signal processing developments alongside considerations of aerospace safety requirements. It will be of interest to professionals in industry and academic researchers alike, as well as engineering students. This article/publication is based upon work from COST Action CA18203 (ODIN - http://odin-cost.com/), supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is a funding agency for research and innovation networks. Our Actions help connect research initiatives across Europe and enable scientists to grow their ideas by sharing them with their peers. This boosts their research, career and innovation