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Articles 31 - 33 of 33

Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Multiple Integrated Navigation Sensors For Improving Occupancy Grid Fastslam, Christopher P. Weyers Mar 2011

Multiple Integrated Navigation Sensors For Improving Occupancy Grid Fastslam, Christopher P. Weyers

Theses and Dissertations

An autonomous vehicle must accurately observe its location within the environment to interact with objects and accomplish its mission. When its environment is unknown, the vehicle must construct a map detailing its surroundings while using it to maintain an accurate location. Such a vehicle is faced with the circularly defined Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) problem. However difficult, SLAM is a critical component of autonomous vehicle exploration with applications to search and rescue. To current knowledge, this research presents the first SLAM solution to integrate stereo cameras, inertial measurements, and vehicle odometry into a Multiple Integrated Navigation Sensor (MINS) path. …


Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicle Wing Manufacture And Force Testing, Nathanael J. Sladek Mar 2011

Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicle Wing Manufacture And Force Testing, Nathanael J. Sladek

Theses and Dissertations

Numerous wing manufacturing techniques have been developed by various universities for research on Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicles. Minimal attention though is given to repeatability of wing aerodynamics and dynamic response, which is crucial to avoid asymmetric flapping. Thus the focus of this research becomes twofold. First, repeatable wing manufacturing techniques are developed to ensure flapping wings have similar aerodynamic and dynamic characteristics. For this purpose, four wing designs were selected to not only test the aerodynamics of the different designs, but to also validate manufacturing techniques. The various wing designs are assessed using two methods: dynamic and aerodynamic data. …


Image Dependent Relative Formation Navigation For Autonomous Aerial Refueling, James M. Howard Mar 2011

Image Dependent Relative Formation Navigation For Autonomous Aerial Refueling, James M. Howard

Theses and Dissertations

This research tests the feasibility, accuracy, and reliability of a predictive rendering and holistic comparison algorithm with use of an optical sensor to provide relative distance and position behind a lead or tanker aircraft. Using an accurate model of a tanker, an algorithm renders image(s) for comparison with actual collected images by a camera installed on the receiver aircraft. Based on this comparison, information used to create the rendered image(s) is used to provide the relative navigation solution required for autonomous air refueling. Given enough predicted images and processing time, this approach should reliably find an accurate solution. Building on …