A modular software architecture for UAVs

There have been several attempts to create scalable and hardware independent software architectures for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). In this work, we propose an onboard architecture for UAVs where hardware abstraction, data storage and communication between modules are efficiently maintained. All processing and software development is done on the UAV while state and mission status of the UAV is monitored from a ground station. The architecture also allows rapid development of mission-specific third party applications on the vehicle with the help of the core module

SURVEILLANCE MISSION PLANNING FOR UAVS IN GPS-DENIED URBAN ENVIRONMENT

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

Tactical Satellite (TacSat) feasibility study a scenario driven approach

The objective of this project was to examine the feasibility of developing a tactically controlled, operationally responsive satellite system. A specific mission scenario, the Philippine Sea Scenario, was chosen to guide and bound the analysis. Within the bounds of this scenario, this high level space systems engineering exercise provided insights into operations and military utility as well as enough granularity to estimate costs for such a system. The operational approach and high level design concept is based on the Space Mission Analysis and Design (SMAD) process authored by Wiley J. Larson and Kames R. Wertz. The study shows that there are tactical scenarios in which space capabilities provide military utility and cost effectiveness above what is provided by traditional tactical assets such as UAVs. This is particularly true when large operational areas are involved and long periods of service are required.http://archive.org/details/tacticalsatellit109456927N

MECHANICALLY ASSISTED LANDMINE CLEARANCE AND DETECTION

In response to worldwide requirements for Humanitarian Demining, Schiebel Technology, Inc., an independent U.S. based corporation, has focused on the research, development, and production of the CAMCOPTER Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System particularly germane to mechanically assisted landmine detection and clearance

Guaranteed Road Network Search with Small Unmanned Aircraft

The use of teams of small unmanned aircraft in real-world rapid-response missions is fast becoming a reality. One such application is search and detection of an evader in urban areas. This paper draws on results in graph-based pursuit-evasion, developing mappings from these abstractions to primitive motions that may be performed by aircraft, to produce search strategies providing guaranteed capture of road-bound targets. The first such strategy is applicable to evaders of arbitrary speed and agility, offering a conservative solution that is insensitive to motion constraints pursuers may possess. This is built upon to generate two strategies for capture of targets having a known speed bound that require searcher teams of much smaller size. The efficacy of these algorithms is demonstrated by evaluation in extensive simulation using realistic vehicle models across a spectrum of environment classes

The Design Fabrication and Flight Testing of an Academic Research Platform for High Resolution Terrain Imaging

This thesis addresses the design, construction, and flight testing of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) created to serve as a testbed for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) research topics that require the rapid acquisition and processing of high resolution aerial imagery and are to be performed by academic research institutions. An analysis of the requirements of various ISR research applications and the practical limitations of academic research yields a consolidated set of requirements by which the UAS is designed. An iterative design process is used to transition from these requirements to cycles of component selection, systems integration, flight tests, diagnostics, and subsystem redesign. The resulting UAS is designed as an academic research platform to support a variety of ISR research applications ranging from human machine interaction with UAS technology to orthorectified mosaic imaging. The lessons learned are provided to enable future researchers to create similar systems

Small unmanned aerial system (SUAS) flight and mission control support system (FMCSS) design

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are playing a significant role in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). Until recently, small UAS (SUAS) were an insignificant part of these efforts. Now their numbers exceed those of their larger counterparts by an order of magnitude. Future projections anticipate a growing demand for SUAS making now the best time to examine the functions they perform in order to make better decisions concerning their future design and development. This thesis provides a brief history of UAS and discusses the current capabilities and mission areas in which they perform. Their relevance to modern warfare and assumptions concerning their future roles on the battlefield is presented. Predominant UAS missions are identified, as well as the technical requirements deemed necessary for their success. A generic UAS functional model is developed to illustrate where the challenges and technology gaps manifest in SUAS design. Possible technology solutions that could fill these gaps are presented and a field experiment is conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of several possible solutions. The goal of this thesis is to identify existing technology gaps and offer technology solutions that lead to better design of future SUAS flight and mission control support systems (FMCSS).http://archive.org/details/smallunmannederi109452574Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) DynamicTracking Directional Wireless Antennas for Low Powered Applications that Require Reliable Extended Range

Abstrac