Topological Similarity-Based Multi-Target Correlation Localization for Aerial-Ground Systems

In this paper, an algorithm for solving the multi-target correlation and co-location problem of aerial-ground heterogeneous system is investigated. Aiming at the multi-target correlation problem, the fusion algorithm of visual axis correlation method and improved topological similarity correlation method are adopted in view of large parallax and inconsistent scale between the aerial and ground perspectives. First, the visual axis was preprocessed by the threshold method, so that the sparse targets were initially associated. Then, the improved topological similarity method was used to further associate dense targets with the relative position characteristics between targets. The shortcoming of dense target similarity with small difference was optimized by the improved topological similarity method. For the problem of co-location, combined with the multi-target correlation algorithm in this paper, the triangulation positioning model was used to complete the co-location of multiple targets. In the experimental part, simulation experiments and flight experiments were designed to verify the effectiveness of the algorithm. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively achieve multi-target correlation positioning, and that the positioning accuracy is obviously better than other positioning methods.

In-field hyperspectral imaging: An overview on the ground-based applications in agriculture

The measurement of vegetation indexes that characterise the plants growth, assessing the fruit ripeness or detecting the presence of defects and diseases, is a key factor to gain high quality of fruit or vegetables. Such evaluation can be carried out using both destructive and non destructive techniques. Among non-destructive techniques, hyperspectral imaging (HSI), combining image analysis and visible/near-infrared spectroscopy, looks particularly useful. Many studies have been published concerning the use of hyperspectral cameras in the agronomic and food field, especially in controlled laboratory conditions. Conversely, few studies described the application of HSI technology directly in field, especially involving ground-based systems. Results suggest that this technique could be particularly useful, even if the role of environmental variables has to be considered (e.g., intensity and incidence of solar radiation, wind or the soil in the background). In this paper, recent in-field HSI applications based on ground systems are reviewed.

THE USE OF GAMING ENGINES FOR DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

The automotive community has found to design and test autonomous systems, traditional CAE tools are not enough. The number of sensors and controls involved makes it very difficult to predict all the possible scenarios and system reactions to them. An approach to provide input to all the sensors and control systems is to use gaming engines. They are used “headless”, and in other cases with multiple users in the environment. In this paper we will highlight one case on how they are changing how the Army designs, tests, and sets requirements for autonomous ground systems.