Showing papers in "IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine in 2013"
[...]
TL;DR: There are two kinds of tutorial articles: those that provide a primer on an established topic and those that let us in on the ground floor of something of emerging importance.
Abstract: There are two kinds of tutorial articles: those that provide a primer on an established topic and those that let us in on the ground floor of something of emerging importance. The first type of tutorial can have a noted expert who has been gracious (and brave) enough to write a field guide about a particular topic. The other sort of tutorial typically involves researchers who have each been laboring on a topic for some years. Both sorts of tutorial articles are very much desired. But we, as an editorial board for both Systems and Transactions, know that there has been no logical place for them in the AESS until this series was started several years ago. With these tutorials, we hope to continue to give them a home, a welcome, and provide a service to our membership. We do not intend to publish tutorials on a regular basis, but we hope to deliver them once or twice per year. We need and welcome good, useful tutorial articles (both kinds) in relevant AESS areas. If you, the reader, can offer a topic of interest and an author to write about it, please contact us. Self-nominations are welcome, and even more ideal is a suggestion of an article that the editor(s) can solicit. All articles will be reviewed in detail. Criteria on which they will be judged include their clarity of presentation, relevance, and likely audience, and, of course, their correctness and scientific merit. As to the mathematical level, the articles in this issue are a good guide: in each case the author has striven to explain complicated topics in simple-well, tutorial-terms. There should be no (or very little) novel material: the home for archival science is the Transactions Magazine, and submissions that need to be properly peer reviewed would be rerouted there. Likewise, articles that are interesting and descriptive, but lack significant tutorial content, ought more properly be submitted to the Systems Magazine.
955 citations
TL;DR: Two points were raised in [2] that the authors found very interesting and important enough to be useful for the audience, so they wanted to further discuss and amplifiy them.
Abstract: We, the authors of [1], are appreciative of the positive review of our book given in [2]. Two points were raised in [2] that we found very interesting and important enough to be useful for the audience, so we wanted to further discuss and amplifiy them.
242 citations
TL;DR: The design experience demonstrated systems trade-offs present in a practical vehicle and UAV capabilities even using off-the-shelf component integration, and could be used for aerial mapping, environmental monitoring, and search and rescue at a cost significantly lower than using traditional full-size aircraft for the same missions.
Abstract: The overall UAV approach discussed in this article provided satisfactory performance for the avionics systems; however, the design is limited with regard to the wireless link and the image processing. Future development will focus on redesign of the airframe platform, the wireless link, and the image processing. UAV flight characteristics need to be better understood and more thoroughly tested to accommodate less-than-ideal flight conditions. Full analyses of the link margin for spectrum management and of risk assessment to handle flight failure/termination events, e.g., loss of data link, GPS, or autopilot, are needed. Overall, the design experience demonstrated systems trade-offs present in a practical vehicle and UAV capabilities even using off-the-shelf component integration. The prototype UAV could be used for aerial mapping, environmental monitoring, and search and rescue at a cost significantly lower than using traditional full-size aircraft for the same missions.
131 citations
TL;DR: Algorithms which turn measured ranges into position solutions are reviewed to help researchers and system designers evaluate and select appropriate range-based positioning algorithms for their applications at hand.
Abstract: This tutorial reviews algorithms which turn measured ranges into position solutions. From their basic mathematical principles, we relate and compare relevant aspects of these algorithms. Special attention is given to the direct (non-iterative) algorithms, which are frequently applied in indoor positioning. Most of them are shown to be essentially the same, as they can be related through applying different weighting schemes. This tutorial is intended as a useful guide to help researchers and system designers evaluate and select appropriate range-based positioning algorithms for their applications at hand.
82 citations
TL;DR: The concept of the MF integration has been introduced, aiming at increasing the global SNR and making the detection performance robust w.r.t. the program content of the individual radio stations.
Abstract: After summarizing the problems related with the variability of the characteristics of the waveforms received by PBR, especially when operating in the FM radio band, the concept of the MF integration has been introduced, aiming at (i) increasing the global SNR and (ii) making the detection performance robust w.r.t. the program content of the individual radio stations.
81 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that MIMO SAR indeed provides promising potentials for future remote sensing but much further research work about waveform diversity design and signal processing algorithm should be carried out.
Abstract: This paper investigated MIMO SAR for several specific remote sensing applications from a top-level system description, with an aim to call for more publications and research on these topics. Due to the significantly increased degrees of freedom, MIMO SAR provides better system design flexibility and improved system performance. The potentials and challenges of MIMO SAR in HRWS remote sensing, GMTI, and 3D imaging are analyzed. It is shown that MIMO SAR indeed provides promising potentials for future remote sensing but much further research work about waveform diversity design and signal processing algorithm should be carried out.
72 citations
TL;DR: The concept of MF operation introduced in [1] has been extended to the target DoA estimation stage to increase the angular localization accuracy and make the doA estimation performance robust w.r.t. the time-varying characteristics of the waveforms received by PBR, especially when operating in the FM radio band.
Abstract: The concept of MF operation introduced in [1] has been extended to the target DoA estimation stage, aiming at the same time to (i) increase the angular localization accuracy and (ii) make the DoA estimation performance robust w.r.t. the time-varying characteristics of the waveforms received by PBR, especially when operating in the FM radio band.
52 citations
TL;DR: An alternative unobtrusive authentication method based on gait based on accelerometer-based biometric gait recognition, which does not require extra interaction time and is a very user friendly method.
Abstract: As owners of mobile devices tend to deactivate their security settings, data on these devices is often insufficiently protected [1]. One reason for this is that most mobile devices do only offer the authentication via PIN or password, which requires explicit interaction and thus is time consuming and not very user friendly. To solve this problem, an alternative unobtrusive authentication method based on gait is proposed in this article. There are two main advantages of this approach. First, gait can be captured via acceleration sensors, which are already integrated into most smart phones. Hence, there are no additional hardware costs for deploying this method. Second, gait recognition does not require explicit user interaction during verification as the phone does it literally "on the go." These two factors make accelerometer-based biometric gait recognition a very user friendly method, which does not require extra interaction time.
44 citations
TL;DR: The article analyzes the proposed strategies and the most significant project results in pursuing both the global coverage of the emergency areas and the development of a reconfigurable and cooperative NAV/COM system.
Abstract: Restoring the connectivity in the emergency areas and providing NAV/COM services able to support and coordinate the rescue teams represent two of the main telecommunication needs for efficient emergency situation management. The SALICE (Satellite-Assisted LocalIzation and Communication system for Emergency services) Project aimed at identifying the system architecture and the most suitable solutions to be adopted in the future integrated reconfigurable NAV/COM systems and to analyze their feasibility in realistic emergency scenarios. The article analyzes the proposed strategies and the most significant project results in pursuing both the global coverage of the emergency areas and the development of a reconfigurable and cooperative NAV/COM system.
41 citations
TL;DR: The 2011 IEEE AESS Summit Exercise was a success because it brought together more than 40 knowledgeable engineers and their thought-provoking work on 30 current engineering topics, and it demonstrated good systems engineering and collaboration as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The Summit Exercise was a success because it brought together more than 40 knowledgeable engineers and their thought-provoking work on 30 current engineering topics, and it demonstrated good systems engineering and collaboration. The Exercise resulted in reasonable prioritizations, technical recommendations, and breadth of knowledge expansion for most people on the related topics. The power behind this activity remains available to anyone that takes the time to review the individual presentations and participate in the Exercise. The key aspects for IEEE AESS include the topic selections, the Exercise development, and the summary debriefings from the participants. The SE methodology could be utilized by AESS Chapters as a useful exercise in member introductions, idea generation, and appreciation of IEEE engineering challenges (as demonstrated in the AESS Washington, DC/Northern Virginia Chapters). There would be a benefit to IEEE AESS if these existing and additional topics were further vetted, to a more complete solution, and direct relations to the AESS readers who develop systems in many IEEE areas.
36 citations
TL;DR: A multiple UCAVs cooperative air combat simulation platform, which is based on PSO, ACO, and game theory, and the practitioners can investigate the inherent mechanism by applying game theory to solve the mission decision-making problem of multiple U CAVs in attacking multiple objects.
Abstract: In this work, we have developed a multiple UCAVs cooperative air combat simulation platform, which is based on PSO, ACO, and game theory. The Matlab program is used as the developing tool. In this platform, the practitioners can investigate the inherent mechanism by applying game theory to solve the mission decision-making problem of multiple UCAVs in attacking multiple objects. This simulation platform is friendly, easy to use, and easy to modify.
TL;DR: In this article, an interval filtering algorithm is applied to the uncertain integrated system, where the system parameters uncertainties are described by intervals and the IAKF algorithm has the same structure as the standard extended Kalman filtering algorithm.
Abstract: For a nonlinear integrated GPS/IMU system with an uncertain dynamic model, the standard extended Kalman filtering algorithm is no longer applicable. In this research, an interval filtering algorithm is applied to the uncertain integrated system. The system parameters uncertainties are described by intervals. The IAKF algorithm is established for the uncertain integrated system. The IAKF algorithm has the same structure as the standard extended Kalman filtering algorithm. The testing results indicate that the IAKF algorithm is effective for the uncertain nonlinear integrated system, and it can be used to test the chosen parameters of an integrated GPS/IMU system. Thus, the IAKF algorithm has good potential in real-time applications for nonlinear integrated systems with parameter and noise uncertainties.
TL;DR: How to avoid the cold finger areas in order to get a better segmented TH image and different performance once the TH image is well segmented.
Abstract: We have seen how to avoid the cold finger areas in order to get a better segmented TH image. These approaches are only necessary when temperatures from the finger are close to the surface. Once the TH image is well segmented we have observed different performance.
TL;DR: If properly designed, NAND flash currently represents the most suitable candidate as future semiconductor storage technology of upcoming mass memories for space applications.
Abstract: For more than 10 years, mass memories for space applications have taken the DRAM technology family as conventional semiconductor storage technology. DRAM technology is very fast, reliable, and provides a very high data rate, but needs power back up to retain data and tends to become very inefficient (on a watt/bit scale) with increasing capacity. This is why flash technology has been considered for replacing the well-established DRAMs. NAND flash is currently the most suitable solution for nonvolatile storage in embedded applications and it is gaining access to in safety critical applications, thanks to their high storage density, low power, low cost, and high data throughput. However, NAND flash research and literature in the safety-critical environment is not as established as in the commercial applications. As a matter of fact, for the specific case of space applications, NAND flash is struggling to keep pace with those advances for multiple reasons. This article provides an overview of these reasons. We discussed the most relevant design aspects to address when dealing with NAND flash memory for the critical space environment. Furthermore, the Sentinel-2 practical example lets the reader experience the advantages of adopting a NAND flash-based SSMM as opposed to a SDRAM-based device. In conclusion, if properly designed, NAND flash currently represents the most suitable candidate as future semiconductor storage technology of upcoming mass memories for space applications.
TL;DR: In this paper, advanced guidance technologies based on bionic vision have been studied to improve the accuracy of the UAV's guidance system, and some of these new technologies have been applied to missile homing guidance.
Abstract: An unmanned fying vehicle (UFV) is generally used to search for and track an adversary and even designed to go down with the adversary's vehicle under the extreme conditions of modern wars [1]. The precision of a UFV's electromagnetic sensors generally infuences the accuracy of its guidance. To improve the accuracy of the UFV's guidance system, advanced guidance technologies based on bionic vision have been studied in recent years. Some developments based on bioinspired intelligence [2], [3] have also been investigated for aerial systems. Bionic vision, such as that inspired by the vision of Limulus species (i.e., horseshoe crabs), fruit fies, birds, and humans [4], has become a hot research feld, and some of these new technologies have been applied to missile homing guidance.
TL;DR: The analysis presented in this article shows that the Great Seal bug has a well-coupled eigenmode around 1800 MHz, which is consistent with some of the references, as a high transmit power at the lower frequency would have been easier to generate.
Abstract: The analysis presented in this article shows that the Great Seal bug has a well-coupled eigenmode around 1800 MHz, which is consistent with some of the references. This was probably one of the harmonics of the illumination source, as a high transmit power at the lower frequency would have been easier to generate. In addition, the interaction between acoustically introduced vibrations of the diaphragm would generate an AM signal that could be detected remotely.
TL;DR: In this article, a system concept for a "deployable multi-band passive active radar" DMPAR was developed, indicating the critical components, proposing solutions, specifying performance expectation, and proposing new approaches for system performance verification.
Abstract: A multinational effort has been conducted (2009-2011) under the umbrella of the Sensor & Electronics Technology (SET) panel of the NATO Research and Technology Organisation (RTO). The NATO panel tasks technical teams to investigate specific topics related to the armed forces. This technical team, (SET152), was tasked to study the capabilities of a future type of radar that combines passive and active modes of operation for a better performance in air defence applications. A system concept for a 'deployable multi-band passive active radar' DMPAR was developed, indicating the critical components, proposing solutions, specifying performance expectation, and proposing new approaches for system performance verification.
TL;DR: A large number of alternative transmission control protocols and algorithms have been developed for space and other environments with similar communication conditions and Wang et al. provides a comprehensive and comparative discussion for some of these protocols.
Abstract: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been working toward space Internet and Interplanetary Internet (IPN) using appropriate network architecture and protocols [1]. As the widely deployed network protocol suite, the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) has been very successful in today's Internet operations. But TCP experiences severe performance degradation in space communications mainly because of the vast differences between terrestrial and space operating environments [2]. Although the feasibility of operating space communications using the Internet type of protocols has been a source of contention within NASA [1], a large number of alternative transmission control protocols and algorithms have been developed for space and other environments with similar communication conditions [2]-[8]. In [9], Wang et al. provides a comprehensive and comparative discussion for some of these protocols.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed the quality of meteorological data collected with Mode-S radars and compared it with corresponding radiosonde measurements during a 5-month period, and developed a method for gathering the data from mode-S radar and generate atmosphere profiles for wind and temperature.
Abstract: In this article we analyze the quality of meteorological data collected with Mode-S radars. During a 5-month period we collected meteorological data with a Mode-S radar and compared it with corresponding radiosonde measurements. We developed a method for gathering the data from Mode-S radars and generate atmosphere profiles for wind and temperature. Air traffic control uses upper wind tables generated by numerical weather prediction (NWP) models for flight path calculations. The profiles that we generate from Mode-S radar data can be a relatively good substitute for these tables.
TL;DR: A new paradigm to overcome the limitations of GNSS-based navigation is proposed, termed opportunistic navigation (OpNav), which aims to extract positioning and timing information from ambient radio frequency signals of opportunity (SOPs).
Abstract: Motivated by the plenitude of ambient radio frequency signals in GNSS-challenged environments, a new paradigm to overcome the limitations of GNSS-based navigation is proposed. This paradigm, termed opportunistic navigation (OpNav), aims to extract positioning and timing information from ambient radio frequency signals of opportunity (SOPs). OpNav radio receivers continuously search for opportune signals from which to draw navigation and timing information, employing on-the-fly signal characterization as necessary. In collaborative opportunistic navigation (COpNav), multiple OpNav receivers share information to construct and continuously refine a global signal landscape.
TL;DR: The CoNNeCT flight experiment payload aboard ISS allows experimenters to develop and verify new waveforms compliant with the STRS SDR architecture standard, using verified ground systems and then have those waveforms uploaded to the flight SDRs to assess in situ performance and to better understand operational concepts for S DRs in space.
Abstract: The NASA SCaN Test Bed flight experiment payload aboard ISS will enable experimenters the unique opportunity to investigate SDRs, navigation, and networking in the space environment. Comprised of three SDRs from industry partners, CoNNeCT allows experimenters to develop and verify new waveforms compliant with the STRS SDR architecture standard, using verified ground systems and then have those waveforms uploaded to the flight SDRs to assess in situ performance and to better understand operational concepts for SDRs in space. In addition to the SDRs, the reprogrammable avionics software allows application software for on-board networking and routing experiments. The flight system communicates with TDRSS at both S-band and Ka-band and can receive within the GPS L-band for navigation waveform development and experiments.
TL;DR: With new sensors, there is a need for system-level performance evaluations as well as methods for establishing assessment at each component of the tracking evaluation.
Abstract: Currently most air traffic controller decisions are based on the information provided by the ground support tools provided by automation systems, based on a network of surveillance sensors and the associated tracker. To guarantee surveillance integrity, it is clear that performance assessments of the different elements of the surveillance system are necessary. Due to the evolution suffered by the surveillance processing chain in the recent past, its complexity has been increased by the integration of new sensor types (e.g., automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast [ADS-B] [1], Mode S radars [2], and wide area multilateration [WAM] [3]), data link applications, and networking technologies. With new sensors, there is a need for system-level performance evaluations as well as methods for establishing assessment at each component of the tracking evaluation.
TL;DR: In this paper, the optimal design problems for the hypersonic morphing vehicle were investigated and the correlations among the shock wave variation, propulsive performance, and control effect were discussed.
Abstract: This study investigates the optimal design problems for the hypersonic morphing vehicle. The correlations among the shock wave variation, propulsive performance, and control effect are discussed. The inversion design methods are applied to calculate the aerodynamic forces and moments of the hypersonic morphing vehicle based on the theories of the hypersonic computational mechanics. Then, the hypersonic morphing vehicle model is built, and the optimal performance indexes reflecting the waverider flight characteristics considering the appropriate flight conditions and the initial model parameters are presented. Furthermore, the variable metric algorithm is used to iteratively optimize the performance function. The optimum model parameters for the hypersonic morphing vehicle are then obtained with the control requirements. Finally, the effectiveness of the optimal design methods is verified by simulation. In general, the designs are preliminarily completed, along with the synthesis of the shape, aerodynamic force, propulsion, and the control action. We believe that this study provides helpful information on hypersonic morphing vehicles to guide future research.
TL;DR: In this paper, the main scattering centers are located at the wheels, the regions around the license plate, door outer panel, windshield pillar, center pillar, rear pillar, and light units.
Abstract: Scattering centers of two different vehicles have been evaluated using SAR, and the combination of SAR and DBF. The results show that main scattering centers are located at the wheels, the regions around the license plate, door outer panel, windshield pillar, center pillar, rear pillar, and light units. Furthermore, it has been shown that multipath propagation enables an indirect detection of scattering centers. The analysis shows no significant differences between the scattering center locations at 24 GHz and 77 GHz. However, the increased bandwidth at 77 GHz allows resolving merged scattering centers and improves the contour determination. The comparison between the measurement results of the SAR processing and the mechanical scanning radar confirmed similar main scattering centers. Furthermore, the measurement results show that the contour and orientation of a vehicle can be determined at a distance of 10 m with a bandwidth of 2 GHz and an angular resolution of approximately 2°.
TL;DR: The evaluations and results provided in the show that a proper selection of De Bruijn binary sequences as spreading codes in multiuser communications allows to obtain improved performance, with respect to more traditional solutions, like those based on the use of classical Gold codes, m sequences, and OVSF codes.
Abstract: The evaluations and results provided in the show that a proper selection of De Bruijn binary sequences as spreading codes in multiuser communications allows to obtain improved performance, with respect to more traditional solutions, like those based on the use of classical Gold codes, m sequences, and OVSF codes. Promising results have been obtained also in DS sequence SS radar simulations, where the number of available sequences may be important to cope with specific scenarios, such as anticollision vehicular radar applications. The behavior exhibited by De Bruijn sequences motivates the efforts aimed at providing an efficient generation algorithm to obtain the complete set of codes for even greater values of n and performing an exhaustive evaluation of their properties. This activity is currently ongoing.
TL;DR: The AESS Radar Systems Panel (RSP) consists of a group of experts in the field of radar who promote various radar related activities such as the IEEE Radar Conferences, student education initiatives, and many more benefiting the radar community.
Abstract: Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Radar standards were created to uniquely define terminology associated with the development, characterization, and utilization of radar systems. The radar standards are essential tools utilized by the radar community to enable clear and concise communication of radar aspects and facilitate the specification and evaluation of radar performance. The AESS Radar Systems Panel (RSP) consists of a group of experts in the field of radar who promote various radar related activities such as the IEEE Radar Conferences, student education initiatives, and many more benefiting the radar community. One of the lesser known RSP activities is the development and maintenance of radar related standards. The two radar standards sponsored by the RSP are the IEEE Standard (STD) 521, IEEE Standard Letter Designations for Radar Frequency Bands [1], and IEEE STD 686, IEEE Standard Radar Definitions [2]. Another radar related standard that is not sponsored by the RSP but includes several RSP members on the working group is IEEE STD 1672, IEEE Standard for Ultrawideband Radar Definitions. The radar standards provide essential tools for radar engineers specifying, developing, and evaluating radar system performance.
TL;DR: In this paper, an FFT spectrometer was used at MRO to detect strong solar radio bursts with more than 50 sfu at higher frequency bands, especially at higher frequencies (> 300 MHz.
Abstract: The radio spectrum at MRO suffers from local electronics, broadband television, DBV-T, FM-radio, and some local data-links of nearby Schengen police communication and hence Metsahovi in the present situation is not ideal as a host site for a solar frequency agile or even to have an FFT spectrometer used at low frequencies. The general situation will be notably improved by installing the whole system at a more remote location or by improving the shielding of nearby electronic equipment. Also during the weekends, RFI-levels seem to be notably lower than during the office hours. Nevertheless it will be possible to detect strong flares with more than 50 sfu. A larger antenna with more gain would improve the situation drastically due to the fact that the signal-to-noise ratio of the solar flares would improve. Also a pre-amplifier with better noise figure and larger gain could improve the whole system's noise temperature. The most harmful interference frequencies are generated by the local electronics. However, during the observations the antenna is pointed away from the laboratory buildings. Thus the spectra is reasonable during observations, especially at higher frequencies (>300 MHz). The first results have shown that the measurement system is operating reliably and it can detect some weak solar radio bursts.
TL;DR: A novel moving horizon model predictive estimation scheme based on constrained nonlinear optimization techniques for inferring the survival functions and residual useful life (RUL) of components in coupled systems is proposed.
Abstract: This article presents a novel MM-MHE algorithm for online prediction of the component survival functions based on their usage profiles The framework employs Cox PHM based on offline and online data for the RUL prediction The proposed approach has been validated by way of application to data derived from an automotive ETC system simulator The MM-MHE algorithm shows excellent performance (R2 and MSE) in the presence of significant measurement noise over all windows and converges to the correct cluster number The future work includes application of this approach to continuous PID and to account for the uncertainty in RUL estimation In the near future, by simple transformations, the authors plan on implementing the MM-MHE algorithm for measurements and states between (-∞,∞) and considering the effects of process noise, hence, modifying the cost function accordingly A potential extension of the Cox PHM framework for prognosis of coupled systems will be to model the coupled survival dynamics as monotone positive linear systems or monotone Markov processes in which the state matrix is a Metzler matrix (ie, has nonnegative off-diagonal elements)
TL;DR: In this paper, a behavioral model of the SSPC has been proposed based on experimental measurements and information provided in the manufacturers' datasheets and validated by means of simulations and experimental results with different commercial SSPCs.
Abstract: This article describes and confirms a behavioral model of the SSPC. This model includes switching state and steady-state behaviors, and it also has implemented the I2t curve and the overload and the short-circuit protection functionalities. The proposed model is based on experimental measurements and information provided in the manufacturers' datasheets. Further, the behavioral model can be parameterized for different SSPCs, and its features are better tailored for the simulation of large PDS in comparison with structural models. Thus, this model permits improving the convergence and simulation times for large PDS. Finally, the SSPC behavioral model has been parameterized and validated by means of simulations and experimental results with different commercial SSPCs.