Stabilization system for camera control on an unmanned surface vehicle

SeaFox is an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) primarily used for maritime security operations. Currently, a remotely operated vision based camera is used to track a particular target whilst the USV approaches the intended target. While the USV is in motion, the hydrodynamic forces and mechanical vibrations makes it difficult for the operator to lock on to the target at all times. This thesis addresses this issue through the development of a self compensated motion controller that uses geo-pointing to track and lock onto a target at all times. The disturbance data as captured by the onboard IMU sensor is used to establish parameters for the compensator. The compensated pan tilt angles are fed to the vision based camera through a PID controller. The controller developed will enable the vision based camera system to autonomously track the intended target independently of the motion of the USV.http://archive.org/details/stabilizationsys109453832Singapore Technologies Kenetics Ltd. author (civilian).Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Using Multipath Priority Routing for Solar Powered Wireless Sensor Networks

Constant growth in the wireless sensor network (WSN) needs routing protocol which can cater for renewable energy sources as compared to conventionally used non-renewable energy sources in sensor nodes. APPOLO algorithm is used to periodically and locally determine the topological knowledge range of each solar-powered node, based on an estimated energy budget for the following period. Energy budget includes current energy, the predicted energy consumption and the energy expected from the solar cell. PISA is a QoS aware routing used for route selection based on objective. Priority based routing in solar powered wireless sensor network is implemented using APOLLO and PISA. Thus energy saving is attained for real-time route discovery. In this paper, multipath non-redundant data dissemination approach is used for the priority based routing scheme to further optimize use of energy in wireless sensor network

Seasonal PM(10) dynamics in Kathmandu Valley

Data on ambient PM10 levels from six locations in the Kathmandu Valley recorded by means of continuous sampling using low volume air samplers from October 2002 to March 2007 were used to investigate PM10 concentration dynamics in the valley. Monthly average data of the urban areas, which have much higher concentrations than the rural areas, even exceeded the daily standard level of PM10, in Nepal, 120 μm m-3. Repetitive peaks and troughs each year indicated annual patterns. Monthly average showed seasonal patterns are different between rural area and urban sites. The highest monthly average concentration was observed in February, the end of winter in urban areas where as in rural found in spring, and the lowest concentration was observed in July (monsoon period). The continuous increase in PM10 concentration from December to February in urban areas showed accumulation of PM10 in the ambient air during the wintertime. Rainfall in June and September, during the monsoon period, caused a PM10 concentration decrease, demonstrating that precipitation is effective in removing PM10 from the valley. Cross correlation analyses among the PM10 levels measured simultaneously at the sampling stations showed a poor relationship in winter; however, there were good relationships in the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Both the PM10 concentration and the air-mixing environment in the valley were closely associated with the temperature and wind speed. © 2008

Maritime Interdiction Operations in Logistically Barren Environments

Includes supplementary materialThis report contains analysis that shows that existing technology exists to improve Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) by approximately 30%. Furthermore, analysis contained herein will aid MIO planning for future operations. Since MIOs are an inherently dangerous, but necessary activity with far reaching implications to theater political and economic dynamics, this improvement is of great interest. MIO is a Naval solution to the problems of smuggling weapons, explosives, people and narcotics. MIO, when employed correctly has the potential to save lives and limit economic/political damage.N