Real Time Data Downlink Device for Live Telemetry from Instrumented Vehicles

Real Time Data Downlink Device (RTDD) for Live Telemetry from Instrumented Vehicles Avinash Muthu Krishnan1, Marc D. Compere1, Kevin A. Adkins2 1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 2 Department of Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University This paper presents a microcontroller and communications design that delivers real-time telemetry data over the cellular network from vehicles instrumented for scientific or engineering purposes. The Real Time Data Downlink (RTDD) device is being designed for atmospheric data collection on an aerial platform. While this application specifically pertains to the atmospheric sciences, the data collection technique is broadly applicable to ground, surface, or aerial platform data collection. The RTDD is implemented on four DJI Matrice-100 quadcopters that transmit real time position, wind speed, pressure, temperature and humidity over the cellular network. Each vehicle writes sensor data locally while simultaneously transmitting data samples to a data collection computer for real time experiment monitoring. The data collection computer runs an open-sourced software called the Mobility Virtual Environment (MoVE). MoVE aggregates all incoming data streams from each vehicle to provide a comprehensive picture of the scenario with a live 2D map display of all vehicles and a browser-based table to present the data. The RTDD provides real time data thus ensuring complete mission execution and confirmation of sensor performance. Therefore, the RTDD is a critical component of the instrumented aircraft and an overall successful multi-vehicle data collection effort

Low-cost Sensors on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: an Advancement in Air Quality Measurement

With the rapid industrialization and the current status of climate change, air pollution has become a global concern. However, detecting atmospheric pollutants is costly, time-consuming, and cumbersome. Currently, the Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) utilizes filter-based techniques in their federal reference and federal equivalent methods (FRM and FEM, respectively) to measure ground-based particulate matter (PM) levels in the atmosphere. Recently, the development of low-cost sensors has helped in combatting the high cost associated with acquiring these measurements. These sensors allow for PM concentrations to be measured at high resolutions. Due to their surface mounted nature, the EPA’s methods are limited in measuring the concentrations of PM at the ground-level. Hence, they lack the ability of determining the concentrations at various altitudes, which is important in characterizing the origin and the formation pathway of such pollutants. To address these shortcomings, we propose placing multiple low-cost sensors on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to measure the concentrations of PM in Daytona Beach, FL. Sampling will be conducted seasonally, and the PM concentrations will be compared to their counterpart observations obtained using the EPA’s methods. The findings of this study should aid in the development of low-cost air pollution sensors that can be hosted on UAVs. This work promises to be advantageous in detecting air pollutants in both congested and remote areas

New Air Quality Measurement Method: Low-Cost Sensors on UAV’s

With the rapid industrialization and the current status of climate change, air pollution has become a global concern. However, detecting atmospheric pollutants is costly, time-consuming, and cumbersome. Currently, the Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) utilizes filter-based techniques in their federal reference and federal equivalent methods (FRM and FEM, respectively) to measure ground-based particulate matter (PM) levels in the atmosphere. Recently, the development of low-cost sensors has helped in combatting the high cost associated with acquiring these measurements. These sensors allow for PM concentrations to be measured at high resolutions. Due to their surface mounted nature, the EPA’s methods are limited in measuring the concentrations of PM at the ground-level. Hence, they lack the ability of determining the concentrations at various altitudes, which is important in characterizing the origin and the formation pathway of such pollutants. To address these shortcomings, we propose placing multiple low-cost sensors on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to measure the concentrations of PM in Daytona Beach, FL. Sampling will be conducted seasonally, and the PM concentrations will be compared to their counterpart observations obtained using the EPA’s methods. The findings of this study should aid in the development of low-cost air pollution sensors that can be hosted on UAVs. This work promises to be advantageous in detecting air pollutants in both congested and remote areas

Adaptable Clean Energy Laboratory

The Adaptable Clean Energy (ACE) Lab is a real-world, long term, test platform that will guide the courses of the Energy Systems track. The lab will provide realistic electrical and HVAC loads that mimic a solar powered office. The lab is a 20’ high cube shipping container modified with a door, windows, lights computers, air conditioner and appliances. The lab is Net-Zero and powered entirely from the sun. Two insulation test sections expose the exterior walls for research access to real external heat loads in a real buildin

Go with the Flow: Estimating Wind Using Uncrewed Aircraft

This paper presents a fundamentally different approach to wind estimation using Uncrewed Aircraft (UA) than the vast majority of existing methods. This method uses no on-board flow sensor and does not attempt to estimate thrust or drag forces. Using only GPS and orientation sensors, the strategy estimates wind vectors in an Earth-fixed frame during turning maneuvers. The method presented here is called the Wind-Arc method. The philosophy behind this method has been seen in practice, but this paper presents an alternative derivation with resulting performance evaluations in simulations and flight tests. The simulations verify the method provides perfect performance under ideal conditions using simulated GPS, heading angle, and satisfied assumptions. When applied to experimental flight test data, the method works and follows both the airspeed and wind speed trends, but improvements can still be made. Wind triangles are displayed at each instant in time along the flight path that illustrate the graphical nature of the approach and solution. Future work will include wind gust estimation and a Quality of Estimate (QoE) metric to determine what conditions provide good wind speed estimates while preserving the method’s generality and simplicity

Multi-Disciplinary Project-Based Paradigm that Uses Hands-on Desktop Learning Modules and Modern Learning Pedagogies

Multi-Disciplinary Project-Based Paradigm that Uses Hands-on Desktop Learning Modules and Modern Learning PedagogiesIn this CCLI Type II Program we are promoting adoption of research-based teaching pedagogiesof collaborative, hands-on, active, and problem- or project-based learning (CHAPL). It has beenestablished that traditional lectures ARE NOT best for student learning – yet that is what thecommunity almost universally does! Furthermore, engineers work in broad multidisciplinaryteams while classroom learning is individual and narrow. Yet, educators rarely invest the timeand resources necessary to employ such innovations.We are further refining Desktop Learning Modules (DLMs) within a CHAPL setting forChemical, Civil, Mechanical, Bio- and Electrical Engineering courses at a diverse set ofinstitutions, including a community college engaged through a distance learning mode. Aworkbook is being developed and tested for easier adoption of the hands-on units andaccompanying pedagogy. Both quantitative and qualitative assessments are showing positiveimpacts. Concept inventories are showing students learn key concepts at least as well from eachother in a guided inquiry as they do from lecture. Critical reasoning assessments reveal studentsbecome better aligned with what is expected of graduating engineers ready for industry and thatthe CHAPL/DLM environment serves to reinforce understanding of emergent phenomena, and todevelop analytical, evaluative and problem-solving skills. Interviews, surveys and team reportsreveal students are better able to visualize concepts and that classroom exercises are promotingteam skills and academic rigor. Faculty interviews reveal enhanced awareness of studentmisconceptions and improved monitoring of student growth in conceptual understanding andinterpersonal skills.The poster and paper will highlight our findings and illustrate the CHAPL environment. Hands-on DLMs with cartridges used in teaching principles in the various disciplines will bedemonstrated. A survey will be offered to those viewing the poster to assess potential interest inadoption of the DLMs and in participating in an NSF Type III proposal for TransformingUndergraduate Engineering Education through use of the DLMs and associated CHAPLpedagogies

Studies of a full-scale mechanical prototype line for the ANTARES neutrino telescope and tests of a prototype instrument for deep-sea acoustic measurements

full-scale mechanical prototype line was deployed to a depth of 2500 m to test the leak tightness of the electronics containers and the pressure-resistant properties of an electromechanical cable under evaluation for use in the ANTARES deep-sea neutrino telescope. During a month-long immersion study, line parameter data were taken using miniature autonomous data loggers and shore-based optical time domain reflectometry. Details of the mechanical prototype line, the electromechanical cable and data acquisition are presented. Data taken during the immersion study revealed deficiencies in the pressure resistance of the electromechanical cable terminations at the entry points to the electronics containers. The improvements to the termination, which have been integrated into subsequent detection lines, are discussed. The line also allowed deep-sea acoustic measurements with a prototype hydrophone system. The technical setup of this system is described, and the first results of the data analysis are presented

New horizons for fundamental physics with LISA

International audienceThe Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) has the potential to reveal wonders about the fundamental theory of nature at play in the extreme gravity regime, where the gravitational interaction is both strong and dynamical. In this white paper, the Fundamental Physics Working Group of the LISA Consortium summarizes the current topics in fundamental physics where LISA observations of gravitational waves can be expected to provide key input. We provide the briefest of reviews to then delineate avenues for future research directions and to discuss connections between this working group, other working groups and the consortium work package teams. These connections must be developed for LISA to live up to its science potential in these areas

New horizons for fundamental physics with LISA

International audienceThe Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) has the potential to reveal wonders about the fundamental theory of nature at play in the extreme gravity regime, where the gravitational interaction is both strong and dynamical. In this white paper, the Fundamental Physics Working Group of the LISA Consortium summarizes the current topics in fundamental physics where LISA observations of gravitational waves can be expected to provide key input. We provide the briefest of reviews to then delineate avenues for future research directions and to discuss connections between this working group, other working groups and the consortium work package teams. These connections must be developed for LISA to live up to its science potential in these areas