Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Theory and Algorithms

Air Force Institute of Technology

#antcenter

Articles 1 - 10 of 10

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Robust Error Estimation Based On Factor-Graph Models For Non-Line-Of-Sight Localization, O. Arda Vanli, Clark N. Taylor Jan 2022

Robust Error Estimation Based On Factor-Graph Models For Non-Line-Of-Sight Localization, O. Arda Vanli, Clark N. Taylor

Faculty Publications

This paper presents a method to estimate the covariances of the inputs in a factor-graph formulation for localization under non-line-of-sight conditions. A general solution based on covariance estimation and M-estimators in linear regression problems, is presented that is shown to give unbiased estimators of multiple variances and are robust against outliers. An iteratively re-weighted least squares algorithm is proposed to jointly compute the proposed variance estimators and the state estimates for the nonlinear factor graph optimization. The efficacy of the method is illustrated in a simulation study using a robot localization problem under various process and measurement models and measurement …


Comparison Of Visual Simultaneous Localization And Mapping Methods For Fixed-Wing Aircraft Using Slambench2, Patrick R. Latcham Mar 2020

Comparison Of Visual Simultaneous Localization And Mapping Methods For Fixed-Wing Aircraft Using Slambench2, Patrick R. Latcham

Theses and Dissertations

Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (VSLAM) algorithms have evolved rapidly in the last few years, however there has been little research evaluating current algorithm's effectiveness and limitations when applied to tracking the position of a fixed-wing aerial vehicle. This research looks to evaluate current monocular VSLAM algorithms' performance on aerial vehicle datasets using the SLAMBench2 benchmarking suite. The algorithms tested are MonoSLAM, PTAM, OKVIS, LSDSLAM, ORB-SLAM2, and SVO, all of which are built into the SLAMBench2 software. The algorithms' performance is evaluated using simulated datasets generated in the AftrBurner Engine. The datasets were designed to test the quality of each …


Integrity Monitoring For Automated Aerial Refueling: A Stereo Vision Approach, Thomas R. Stuart Mar 2018

Integrity Monitoring For Automated Aerial Refueling: A Stereo Vision Approach, Thomas R. Stuart

Theses and Dissertations

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) increasingly require the capability to y autonomously in close formation including to facilitate automated aerial refueling (AAR). The availability of relative navigation measurements and navigation integrity are essential to autonomous relative navigation. Due to the potential non-availability of the global positioning system (GPS) during military operations, it is highly desirable that relative navigation can be accomplished without the use of GPS. This paper develops two algorithms designed to provide relative navigation measurements solely from a stereo image pair. These algorithms were developed and analyzed in the context of AAR using a stereo camera system modeling that …


Context Aware Routing Management Architecture For Airborne Networks, Joan A. Betances Mar 2012

Context Aware Routing Management Architecture For Airborne Networks, Joan A. Betances

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis advocates the use of Kalman filters in conjunction with network topology information derived from the Air Tasking Order (ATO) during the planning phase for military missions. This approach is the basis for an algorithm that implements network controls that optimize network performance for Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANET). The trajectories of relevant nodes (airborne platforms) participating in the MANET can be forecasted by parsing key information contained in the ATO. This information is used to develop optimum network routes that can significantly improve MANET performance. Improved MANET performance in the battlefield enables decision makers to access information from …


Estimating Anthropometric Marker Locations From 3-D Ladar Point Clouds, Matthew J. Maier Jun 2011

Estimating Anthropometric Marker Locations From 3-D Ladar Point Clouds, Matthew J. Maier

Theses and Dissertations

An area of interest for improving the identification portion of the system is in extracting anthropometric markers from a Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR) point cloud. Analyzing anthropometrics markers is a common means of studying how a human moves and has been shown to provide good results in determining certain demographic information about the subject. This research examines a marker extraction method utilizing principal component analysis (PCA), self-organizing maps (SOM), alpha hulls, and basic anthropometric knowledge. The performance of the extraction algorithm is tested by performing gender classification with the calculated markers.


Waypoint Generation Based On Sensor Aimpoint, Shannon M. Farrell Mar 2009

Waypoint Generation Based On Sensor Aimpoint, Shannon M. Farrell

Theses and Dissertations

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates has emphasized a need for a greater number of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets to support combatant commanders and military operations globally. Unmanned systems, especially MAVs, used as ISR platforms provide the ability to maintain covertness during missions and help reduce the risk to human life. This research develops waypoint generation algorithms required to keep a point of interest (POI) in the field of view (FOV) of a fixed sensor on a micro air vehicle (MAV) in the presence of a constant wind.
Fixed sensors, while cheaper and less prone to mechanical failure …


Efficient Gps Position Determination Algorithms, Thao Nguyen Jun 2007

Efficient Gps Position Determination Algorithms, Thao Nguyen

Theses and Dissertations

This research is aimed at improving the state of the art of GPS algorithms, namely, the development of a closed-form positioning algorithm for a standalone user and the development of a novel differential GPS algorithm for a network of users. The stand-alone user GPS algorithm is a direct, closed-form, and efficient new position determination algorithm that exploits the closed-form solution of the GPS trilateration equations and works in the presence of pseudorange measurement noise for an arbitrary number of satellites in view. A two-step GPS position determination algorithm is derived which entails the solution of a linear regression and updates …


New Tracking Filter Algorithm Using Input Parameter Estimation, Corey M. Broussard Sep 2006

New Tracking Filter Algorithm Using Input Parameter Estimation, Corey M. Broussard

Theses and Dissertations

A new method for the design of tracking filters for maneuvering targets, based on kinematic models and input signals estimation, is developed. The input signal's level, u is considered a continuous variable and consequently the input estimation problem is posed as a purely parameter estimation problem. Moreover, the application of the new tracking filter algorithm is not contingent on distinguishing maneuvering and non-maneuvering targets, and does not require the detection of maneuver onset. The filter will automatically detect the onset of a maneuver. Furthermore, an estimate of the target's acceleration is also obtained with reasonable precision. This opens the door …


Determination Of Structure From Motion Using Aerial Imagery, Paul R. Graham Mar 2005

Determination Of Structure From Motion Using Aerial Imagery, Paul R. Graham

Theses and Dissertations

The structure from motion process creates three-dimensional models from a sequence of images. Until recently, most research in this field has been restricted to land-based imagery. This research examines the current methods of land-based structure from motion and evaluates their performance for aerial imagery. Current structure from motion algorithms search the initial image for features to track though the subsequent images. These features are used to create point correspondences between the two images. The correspondences are used to estimate the motion of the camera and then the three-dimensional structure of the scene. This research tests current algorithms using synthetic data …


A Three Dimensional Helmet Mounted Primary Flight Reference For Paratroopers, Jason I. Thompson Mar 2005

A Three Dimensional Helmet Mounted Primary Flight Reference For Paratroopers, Jason I. Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis seeks to develop a Heads Up Display (HUD) presented on a Helmet Mounted Display (HMD), which presents a three-dimensional, graphical, predictive navigational reference to a paratrooper during a High Altitude, High Opening (HAHO) parachute jump. A Path Generating Algorithm (PGA) takes as input the Landing Zone's (LZ) location, the wind profile, and the paratrooper's parachute's performance characteristics, and returns a set of waypoints for the paratrooper to follow. The PGA attempts to maximize the distance that the paratrooper travels. The PGA's output is used to build a path to the LZ from a Release Point (RP). During the …