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Full-Text Articles in Automotive Engineering
Utilizing Ground-Based Lidar Measurements To Aid Autonomous Airdrop Systems, Martin Cacan, Edward Scheuermann, Michael Ward, Mark Costello, Nathan Slegers
Utilizing Ground-Based Lidar Measurements To Aid Autonomous Airdrop Systems, Martin Cacan, Edward Scheuermann, Michael Ward, Mark Costello, Nathan Slegers
Faculty Publications - Biomedical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering
Uncertainty in atmospheric winds represents one of the primary sources of landing error in airdrop systems. In this work, a ground-based LIDAR system samples the wind field at discrete points above the target and transmits real-time data to approaching autonomous airdrop systems. In simulation and experimentation, the inclusion of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system showed a maximum of 40% improvement over unaided autonomous airdrop systems. Wind information nearest ground level has the largest impact on improving accuracy.