A New Railyard Safety Approach for Detection and Tracking of Personnel and Dynamic Objects Using Software-Defined Radar

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subharthi Banerjee ◽  
Jose Santos ◽  
Michael Hempel ◽  
Hamid Sharif
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Blind Spot ◽  
Rolling Stock ◽  
Near Misses ◽  
Detection And Tracking ◽  
Dynamic Objects ◽  
Unintentional Falls

In a typical railyard environment, a myriad of large and dynamic objects pose significant risks to railyard workers. Unintentional falls, trips and collisions with dynamic rolling stock due to distractions or lack of situational awareness are an unfortunate reality in modern railyards. The challenges of current technologies in detecting and tracking multiple differently-sized mobile objects in situations such as i) one-on-one, ii) many-to-one, iii) one-to-many, iv) blind spot, and v) interfering/non-interfering separation creates the possibility for reduction or loss of situational awareness in this fast-paced environment. The simultaneous tracking of assets with different size, velocity and material composition in different working and environmental conditions can only be accomplished through joint infrastructure-based asset discovery and localization sensors that cause no interference or impediment to the railyard workers, and which are capable of detecting near-misses as well. Our team is investigating the design and performance of such a solution, and is currently focusing on the innovative usage of lightweight low-cost RADAR under different conditions that are expected to be encountered in railyards across North America. We are employing Ancorteks 580-AD Software Defined RADAR (SDRadar) system, which operates at the license-free frequency of 5.8 GHz and with a variety of different configuration options that make it well-suited for generalized object tracking. The challenges, however, stem from the unique interplay between tracking large metallic objects such as railcars, locomotives, and trucks, as well as smaller objects such as railyard workers, in particular their robust discernment from each other. Our design’s higher-level system can interact with the lower-level SDRadar design to change the parameters in real-time to detect and track large objects over significant distances. The algorithm optimally adjusts waveform, sweep time and sample rate based on one or multiple detected object cross-sections and subsequently alters these parameters to be able to discern other objects from them that are in close proximity. We also use an ensemble method to determine the velocity and distance of target objects to accurately track the subject and larger objects at a distance. The methodology has been field-tested with several test cases in a multitude of weather and lighting conditions. We have also tested the proper height, azimuth and elevation angles for positioning our SDRadar to alleviate the risk of blind spots and enhancing the detection and tracking capabilities of our algorithm. The approach has outperformed our previous tests using visual and acoustic sensors for detection and tracking railroad workers in terms of accuracy and operating flexibility. In this paper, we discuss the details of our proposed approach and present our results from the field tests.

scholarly journals Spectrum Awareness for Cognitive Radios Supported by Radio Environment Maps: Zonal Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2910
Author(s):  
Paweł Kaniewski ◽  
Janusz Romanik ◽  
Edward Golan ◽  
Krzysztof Zubel
Keyword(s):  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Cognitive Radios ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Radio Networks ◽  
Map Construction ◽  
Environment Map ◽  
Construction Techniques ◽  
Interpolation Techniques ◽  
Environment Maps ◽  
Radio Environment Maps

In this paper, we present the concept of the Radio Environment Map (REM) designed to ensure electromagnetic situational awareness of cognitive radio networks. The map construction techniques based on spatial statistics are presented. The results of field tests done for Ultra High Frequency (UHF) range with different numbers of sensors are shown. Exemplary maps with selected interpolation techniques are presented. Control points where the signal from licensed users is correctly estimated are identified. Finally, the map quality is assessed, and the most promising interpolation techniques are selected.

scholarly journals The INUS Platform: A Modular Solution for Object Detection and Tracking from UAVs and Terrestrial Surveillance Assets

Computation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Evangelos Maltezos ◽  
Athanasios Douklias ◽  
Aris Dadoukis ◽  
Fay Misichroni ◽  
Lazaros Karagiannidis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Object Detection ◽  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Machine Learning Techniques ◽  
Measurement Instruments ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Modular Architecture ◽  
Seamless Integration ◽  
Object Detection And Tracking ◽  
Detection And Tracking

Situational awareness is a critical aspect of the decision-making process in emergency response and civil protection and requires the availability of up-to-date information on the current situation. In this context, the related research should not only encompass developing innovative single solutions for (real-time) data collection, but also on the aspect of transforming data into information so that the latter can be considered as a basis for action and decision making. Unmanned systems (UxV) as data acquisition platforms and autonomous or semi-autonomous measurement instruments have become attractive for many applications in emergency operations. This paper proposes a multipurpose situational awareness platform by exploiting advanced on-board processing capabilities and efficient computer vision, image processing, and machine learning techniques. The main pillars of the proposed platform are: (1) a modular architecture that exploits unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and terrestrial assets; (2) deployment of on-board data capturing and processing; (3) provision of geolocalized object detection and tracking events; and (4) a user-friendly operational interface for standalone deployment and seamless integration with external systems. Experimental results are provided using RGB and thermal video datasets and applying novel object detection and tracking algorithms. The results show the utility and the potential of the proposed platform, and future directions for extension and optimization are presented.

Comparison and verification of four field-based microbiological tests: H2S test, Easygel®, Colilert®, Petrifilm™

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patty Chuang ◽  
Stephanie Trottier ◽  
Susan Murcott
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Standard Method ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Single Test ◽  
Total Water ◽  
Microbiological Test ◽  
Technical Capacity ◽  
Larger Sample

The UN defines water supplies as ‘improved’ or ‘unimproved.’ These indicators are easy to measure, but do not reflect water quality, which requires laboratory or field tests. Laboratory and test availability, expense and technical capacity are obstacles for developing countries. This research compares and verifies four low-cost, field-based microbiological tests: the EC-Kit (Colilert® and Petrifilm™ tests), the H2S bacteria test, and Easygel®, against a standard method (Quanti-Tray®). The objectives are to: (1) verify the accuracy of the four field-based tests, (2) study the accuracy of these tests as a function of improved and unimproved sources; (3) recommend a single microbiological test, if appropriate, based on accuracy and cost, and/or (4) recommend a testing combination, if appropriate, based on accuracy and cost. The tests of 500+ total water samples from Capiz Province, Philippines and Cambridge, MA indicate that two-tests systems gave better results than a single test. Both the 100-mL H2S test + Petrifilm™ and the 20-mL H2S test + Easygel® combinations yield promising results, in addition to being inexpensive. None of the field-based tests should be used on their own. We recommend further verification of a larger sample size and scale be undertaken before these testing combinations are recommended for wider use.

scholarly journals Corrosion Study on Wellbore Materials for the CO2 Injection Process

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 115
Author(s):  
Le Quynh Hoa ◽  
Ralph Bäßler ◽  
Dirk Bettge ◽  
Enrico Buggisch ◽  
Bernadette Nicole Schiller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Co2 Injection ◽  
Uniform Corrosion ◽  
Injection Wells ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Carbonation Process ◽  
Injection Process ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
Low Alloyed Steel

For reliability and safety issues of injection wells, corrosion resistance of materials used needs to be determined. Herein, representative low-cost materials, including carbon steel X70/1.8977 and low alloyed steel 1.7225, were embedded in mortar to mimic the realistic casing-mortar interface. Two types of cement were investigated: (1) Dyckerhoff Variodur commercial Portland cement, representing a highly acidic resistant cement and (2) Wollastonite, which can react with CO2 and become stable under a CO2 stream due to the carbonation process. Exposure tests were performed under 10 MPa and at 333 K in artificial aquifer fluid for up to 20 weeks, revealing crevice corrosion and uniform corrosion instead of expected pitting corrosion. To clarify the role of cement, simulated pore water was made by dispersing cement powder in aquifer fluid and used as a solution to expose steels. Surface analysis, accompanied by element mapping on exposed specimens and their cross-sections, was carried out to trace the chloride intrusion and corrosion process that followed.

Nonlinear-Time-Dependent Analysis of Micro Via-In-Pad Substrates for Solder Bumped Flip Chip Applications

2002 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
John H. Lau ◽  
S. W. Ricky Lee ◽  
Stephen H. Pan ◽  
Chris Chang
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Flip Chip ◽  
Printed Circuit Board ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Circuit Board ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Pcb Assembly ◽  
Creep Analysis ◽  
Chip Scale Package ◽  
Time Dependent Analysis

An elasto-plastic-creep analysis of a low-cost micro via-in-pad (VIP) substrate for supporting a solder bumped flip chip in a chip scale package (CSP) format which is soldered onto a printed circuit board (PCB) is presented in this study. Emphasis is placed on the design, materials, and reliability of the micro VIP substrate and of the micro VIP CSP solder joints on PCB. The solder is assumed to obey Norton’s creep law. Cross-sections of samples are examined for a better understanding of the solder bump, CSP substrate redistribution, micro VIP, and solder joint. Also, the thermal cycling test results of the micro VIP CSP PCB assembly is presented.

Automated Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of the Left Ventricle From Multiple-Axis Echocardiography

2015 ◽  
Vol 138 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Navaneetha Krishnan Rajan ◽  
Zeying Song ◽  
Kenneth R. Hoffmann ◽  
Marek Belohlavek ◽  
Eileen M. McMahon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Left Ventricle ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Software Tool ◽  
Acquisition Time ◽  
Lv Function ◽  
High Temporal Resolution ◽  
Standard Format ◽  
Flow Simulations ◽  
Automated Method

Two-dimensional echocardiography (echo) is the method of choice for noninvasive evaluation of the left ventricle (LV) function owing to its low cost, fast acquisition time, and high temporal resolution. However, it only provides the LV boundaries in discrete 2D planes, and the 3D LV geometry needs to be reconstructed from those planes to quantify LV wall motion, acceleration, and strain, or to carry out flow simulations. An automated method is developed for the reconstruction of the 3D LV endocardial surface using echo from a few standard cross sections, in contrast with the previous work that has used a series of 2D scans in a linear or rotational manner for 3D reconstruction. The concept is based on a generalized approach so that the number or type (long-axis (LA) or short-axis (SA)) of sectional data is not constrained. The location of the cross sections is optimized to minimize the difference between the reconstructed and measured cross sections, and the reconstructed LV surface is meshed in a standard format. Temporal smoothing is implemented to smooth the motion of the LV and the flow rate. This software tool can be used with existing clinical 2D echo systems to reconstruct the 3D LV geometry and motion to quantify the regional akinesis/dyskinesis, 3D strain, acceleration, and velocities, or to be used in ventricular flow simulations.

scholarly journals Technical Note: Evaluation of a low-cost evaporation protection method for portable water samplers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana von Freyberg ◽  
Julia L. A. Knapp ◽  
Andrea Rücker ◽  
Bjørn Studer ◽  
James W. Kirchner
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Isotopic Fractionation ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Isotopic Signature ◽  
Technical Note ◽  
Stable Water Isotopes ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Protection Method ◽  
Cost Efficient

Abstract. Automated field sampling of streamwater or precipitation for subsequent analysis of stable water isotopes (2H and 18O) is often conducted with off-the-shelf automated samplers. However, water samples stored in the field for days and weeks in open bottles inside autosamplers undergo isotopic fractionation and vapor mixing, thus altering their isotopic signature. We therefore designed an evaporation protection method which modifies autosampler bottles using a syringe housing and silicone tube, and tested whether this method reduces evaporative fractionation and vapor mixing in water samples stored for up to 24 days in ISCO autosamplers (Teledyne ISCO., Lincoln, US). Laboratory and field tests under different temperature and humidity conditions showed that water samples in bottles with evaporation protection were far less altered by evaporative fractionation and vapor mixing than samples in conventional open bottles. Our design is a cost-efficient approach to upgrade the 1-litre sample bottles of ISCO 6712 Full-size Portable Samplers, allowing secure water sample collection in warm and dry environments. Our design can be readily adapted (e.g., by using a different syringe size) to fit the bottles used by many other field autosamplers.

scholarly journals AUTOMATED EXTRACTION OF SATELLITE TRAILS FROM WIDE ANGLE CCD IMAGERY

2019 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 150-158
Author(s):  
G. Privett ◽  
S. George ◽  
W. Feline ◽  
A. Ash
Keyword(s):  
Optical Sensors ◽  
Security Policy ◽  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Automated Analysis ◽  
Wide Angle ◽  
National Space ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Commercial Off The Shelf ◽  
Sovereign Territory

The current UK’s National Space and Security Policy states that the identification of potential on-orbit collisions and warning of re-entries over UK sovereign territory is of high importance, driving requirements for indigenous Space Situational Awareness (SSA) systems capable of delivering these products. The UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is examining options for the creation of a distributed network of longitudinally distributed, low cost commercial–off-the-shelf electro-optical sensors to support survey work and catalogue maintenance. To effectively exploit this, a robust data handling system is required to autonomously detect satellite trails in a manner that can handle variable target intensities, periodicities and rates of apparent motion, as well as meteors and aircraft. Data captured during the United Kingdom/New Zealand Automated Transfer Vehicle-5 (ATV-5) deorbit observation trial have been employed to inform the development of a prototype processing pipeline for autonomous on-site processing. The approach taken employs pre-existing and documented tools such as Astrometry.NET and DAOPHOT from the astronomical community, together with image processing and orbit determination software developed in-house by Dstl. Some preliminary results from the automated analysis of data collected from wide angle sensors are described, together with an appraisal of the limitations of the proposed system and our plans for future development

Marker-guided auto-landing on a moving platform

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iryna Borshchova ◽  
Siu O’Young
Keyword(s):  
Image Processing ◽  
Visual Servoing ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Processing Algorithm ◽  
Prototype System ◽  
Image Processing Algorithm ◽  
Suggested Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Moving Platform

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a method for a vision-based automatic landing of a multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on a moving platform. The landing system must be highly accurate and meet the size, weigh, and power restrictions of a small UAV. Design/methodology/approach The vision-based landing system consists of a pattern of red markers placed on a moving target, an image processing algorithm for pattern detection, and a servo-control for tracking. The suggested approach uses a color-based object detection and image-based visual servoing. Findings The developed prototype system has demonstrated the capability of landing within 25 cm of the desired point of touchdown. This auto-landing system is small (100×100 mm), light-weight (100 g), and consumes little power (under 2 W). Originality/value The novelty and the main contribution of the suggested approach are a creative combination of work in two fields: image processing and controls as applied to the UAV landing. The developed image processing algorithm has low complexity as compared to other known methods, which allows its implementation on general-purpose low-cost hardware. The theoretical design has been verified systematically via simulations and then outdoors field tests.

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