Saab AB

About: Saab AB is a company organization based out in Thun, Switzerland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Signal & Antenna (radio). The organization has 862 authors who have published 928 publications receiving 8807 citations. The organization is also known as: Saab AB & Svenska Aeroplan AB.

Software product-line evaluation in the large

Abstract: Software product-line engineering is arguably one of the most successful methods for establishing large portfolios of software variants in an application domain. However, despite the benefits, establishing a product line requires substantial upfront investments into a software platform with a proper product-line architecture, into new software-engineering processes (domain engineering and application engineering), into business strategies with commercially successful product-line visions and financial planning, as well as into re-organization of development teams. Moreover, establishing a full-fledged product line is not always possible or desired, and thus organizations often adopt product-line engineering only to an extent that deemed necessary or was possible. However, understanding the current state of adoption, namely, the maturity or performance of product-line engineering in an organization, is challenging, while being crucial to steer investments. To this end, several measurement methods have been proposed in the literature, with the most prominent one being the Family Evaluation Framework (FEF), introduced almost two decades ago. Unfortunately, applying it is not straightforward, and the benefits of using it have not been assessed so far. We present an experience report of applying the FEF to nine medium- to large-scale product lines in the avionics domain. We discuss how we tailored and executed the FEF, together with the relevant adaptations and extensions we needed to perform. Specifically, we elicited the data for the FEF assessment with 27 interviews over a period of 11 months. We discuss experiences and assess the benefits of using the FEF, aiming at helping other organizations assessing their practices for engineering their portfolios of software variants.

Passive measurement of terrain parameters

Abstract: The present invention relates to determination of a terrain parameter relative to a vehicle (100) by registering a first image from the vehicle (100) when it is located at a first point in space (O1). The first image includes a primary representation of a first terrain point (P1) and a primary representation of a second terrain point (P2). Then, a second image is registered from the vehicle (100) when it is located at a second point in space (O2). This second image includes secondary representations of the first and secondary terrain points (P1) and (P2) respectively. Moreover, vehicle movement data is received, which describes at least one of a translation (R) between the first and second points in space (O1; O2), and a rotation (A) between the first and second points in space (O1; O2). A first image velocity vector is determined, which describes a movement of the primary representation of the first terrain point (P1) in the first image to the secondary representation thereof in the second image. Correspondingly, a second image velocity vector is determined, which describes a movement of the primary representation of the second terrain point (P2) in the first image to the secondary representation thereof in the second image. A terrain vector (Ξ) is then resolved, based on the first and second images, a camera model describing a geometric relationship between a particular terrain point and its projected representation onto an image plane, and a respective relationship expressing each of the first and second image velocity vectors as a function of the translation (R) and the rotation (A). The terrain vector (Ξ) extends between one of the first and second points in space (O1; O2) and a particular terrain point (T) in proximity of the vehicle (100). Thus, based on the terrain vector (Ξ), for instance an altitude (ZO1) of the vehicle (100) may be determined.

Fighter pilots' teamwork: a descriptive study

Abstract: The execution of teamwork varies widely depending on the domain and task in question. Despite the considerable diversity of teams and their operation, researchers tend to aim for unified theories and models regardless of field. However, we argue that there is a need for translation and adaptation of the theoretical models to each specific domain. To this end, a case study was carried out on fighter pilots and it was investigated how teamwork is performed in this specialised and challenging environment, with a specific focus on the dependence on technology for these teams. The collaboration between the fighter pilots is described and analysed using a generic theoretical model for effective teamwork from the literature. The results show that domain-specific application and modification is needed in order for the model to capture fighter pilot's teamwork. The study provides deeper understanding of the working conditions for teams of pilots and gives design implications for how tactical support systems can enhance teamwork in the domain. Practitioner summary: This article presents a qualitative interview study with fighter pilots based on a generic theoretical teamwork model applied to the fighter domain. The purpose is to understand the conditions under which teams of fighter pilots work and to provide guidance for the design of future technological aids.

Air intake for turbojet aircraft engine

Abstract: In an air intake duct for a jet engine of an aircraft that may at times fly in a direction oblique to its longitudinal axis, the duct has a slot through its wall, near its front and at its side against which the relative wind directly strikes during such flight, to counteract secondary transverse flow in the interior duct boundary layer, thus assuring that air at the engine compressor inlet has circumferentially uniform pressure and velocity distribution.

Ground target tracking of vehicles in a wireless ground sensor network

Abstract: In this paper data from a wireless unattended ground sensor network is used for tracking vehicles travelling in a road network. A multiple model particle filter algorithm, taking into account the road information, is studied. The algorithm enables tracking of targets driving both on and off road. In the PF algorithm two different dynamic models, a second order linear Gaussian model and a constant velocity model, are used to represent the on and off road motion. In order to handle realistic ground target tracking scenarios, the tracking algorithm is integrated into a multiple-sensor tracking system platform which is able to handle real data from a wireless ground sensor network. The performance of the ground target tracking algorithm is evaluated using real data together with simulated data.