Low-cost experimental application of real-time kinematic positioning for increasing the benefits in cereal crops

Traditional agriculture is facing several challenges worldwide such as increased population growth,rapid forestry and urbanization,resource scarcity,climate change,environmental pollution,competition among different markets.Hence,farmers need to improve productivity in order to maintain the output level.This study attempted to evaluate the benefits of using Real-Time Kinematic(RTK)positioning in precision agriculture through a series of real measurements carried out when farming cereals.All farming management actions involved in the cereal crop process(raise fallow,plow,sow,fertilize,mow,and harvest)have been done using an automatic guidance system that has reduced costs.A reduction of 20%has been quantified in the fuel,the amount of fertilizer,the labor costs and the hours of work.Consequently,the environmental impact has been also reduced.An inexpensive system consisting of a reference base station near the field and a mobile unit mounted on the test vehicle has been installed in order to increase the benefits in cereal crops.Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS)systems including Global Positioning System(GPS),GLONASS,Galileo and Beidou have been used in the analysis.This research serves as a practical guide to implementing a low-cost guidance system to achieve best management practice.

Performance analysis of real-time and post-mission kinematic precise point positioning in marine environments

This article focuses on the performance analysis of both real-time and post-mission kinematic precise point positioning(PPP)in challenging marine environments.For this purpose,a real dynamic experiment lasting 6 h was carried out on a lake dam in?orum City of Turkey.While the kinematic test was continuing,the real-time PPP coordinates were obtained for each measurement epoch with a commercial real-time PPP(RT-PPP)service,namely the Trimble Center Point RTX.Then the post-mission PPP(PM-PPP)coordinates were calculated by using Multi-GNSS data and the Multi-GNSS Experiment(MGEX)precise products.The kinematic RT-PPP and PM-PPP results showed that the PPP coordinates were consistent with the relative solution at centimetre and decimetre level in horizontal and height components,respectively.This study implies that PPP technique is a powerful tool for highly accurate positioning in both real-time and post-mission modes,even for dynamic applications in harsh environments.

Performance Evaluation of Three-Dimensional UWB Real-Time Locating Auto-Positioning System for Fire Rescue

Fire rescue challenges and solutions have evolved from straightfor-ward plane rescue to encompass 3D space due to the rise of high-rise city buildings.Hence,this study facilitates a system with quick and simplified on-site launching and generates real-time location data,enabling fire rescuers to arrive at the intended spot faster and correctly for effective and precise rescue.Auto-positioning with step-by-step instructions is proposed when launching the locating system,while no extra measuring instrument like Total Station(TS)is needed.Real-time location tracking is provided via a 3D space real-time locating system(RTLS)constructed using Ultra-wide Bandwidth technology(UWB),which requires electromagnetic waves to pass through concrete walls.A hybrid weighted least squares with a time difference of arrival(WLS/TDOA)positioning method is proposed to address real path-tracking issues in 3D space and to meet RTLS requirements for quick computing in real-world applications.The 3D WLS/TDOA algorithm is theoretically constructed with the Cramer-Rao lower bound(CRLB).The computing complexity is reduced to the lower bound for embedded hardware to directly compute the time differential of the arriving signals using the time-to-digital converter(TDC).The results of the experiments show that the errors are controlled when the positioning algorithm is applied in various complicated situations to fulfill the requirements of engineering applications.The statistical analysis of the data reveals that the proposed UWB RTLS auto-positioning system can track target tags with an accuracy of 0.20 m.

The Quality Assessment of Non-Integer-Hour Data in GPS Broadcast Ephemerides and Its Impact on the Accuracy of Real- Time Kinematic Positioning Over the South China Sea

Abnormal effects in GPS broadcast ephemerides can have a significant effect on real-time navigation and positioning solutions that use the orbit and clock error data provided by GPS broadcast ephemerides.This paper describes three types of non-integerhour navigation data in GPS broadcast ephemeris data.Compared with GPST integer hour data,we find that there are two types of data blocks for non-integer-hour navigation containing gross errors with different levels of precision,which is reflected in the user range accuracy(URA)of the broadcast ephemeris.These gross errors can cause large deviations when using the GPS broadcast ephemeris for orbit calculation and lead to a decrease in the kinematic positioning accuracy.An improved weighting method which is based on the consistency relationship between the URA value and the orbital precision is proposed to improve the positioning accuracy by controlling the effect of gross errors in the broadcast ephemerides.The correction algorithm proposed in this paper was applied to real-time kinematic positioning with shipborne GPS data over the South China Sea.The results showed that the proposed positioning algorithm can effectively reduce the effects of gross errors in the broadcast ephemeris,and significantly improve the accuracy of the navigation and positioning.

Estimation of annual variation of water vapor in the Arctic Ocean between 80°–87°N using shipborne GPS data based on kinematic precise point positioning

The measurement of atmospheric water vapor （WV） content and variability is important for meteorological and climatological research. A technique for the remote sensing of atmospheric WV content using ground-based Global Positioning System （GPS） has become available, which can routinely achieve accuracies for integrated WV content of 1-2 kg/m2. Some experimental work has shown that the accuracy of WV measurements from a moving platform is comparable to that of （static） land-based receivers. Extending this technique into the marine environment on a moving platform would be greatly beneficial for many aspects of meteorological research, such as the calibration of satellite data, investigation of the air-sea interface, as well as forecasting and climatological studies. In this study, kinematic precise point positioning has been developed to investigate WV in the Arctic Ocean （80°-87°N） and annual variations are obtained for 2008 and 2012 that are identical to those related to the enhanced greenhouse effect.

GPS Rapid Static and Kinematic Positioning Based on GPS Active Network

This paper presents a data processing strategy for GPS kinematic positioning by using a GPS active network to model the GPS errors in double difference observable.Firstly,the double difference residuals are estimated between the reference stations in the active network.Then the errors at a user station are predicted as the network corrections to user measurements,based on the location of the user.Finally conventional kinematic positioning algorithms can be applied to determine the position of the user station.As an example,continuous 24_hour GPS data in March 2001 has been processed by this method.It clearly demonstrates that,after applying these corrections to a user within the network,both the success rate for ambiguity resolution and the positioning accuracy have been significantly improved.

A Mixed Real-time Algorithm for the Forward Kinematics of Stewart Parallel Manipulator

Aimed at the real-time forward kinematics solving problem of Stewart parallel manipulator in the control course, a mixed algorithm combining immune evolutionary algorithm and numerical iterative scheme is proposed. Firstly taking advantage of simpleness of inverse kinematics, the forward kinematics is transformed to an optimal problem. Immune evolutionary algorithm is employed to find approximate solution of this optimal problem in manipulator＇s workspace. Then using above solution as iterative initialization, a speedy numerical iterative scheme is proposed to get more precise solution. In the manipulator running course, the iteration initialization can be selected as the last period position and orientation. Because the initialization is closed to correct solution, solving precision is high and speed is rapid enough to satisfy real-time requirement. This mixed forward kinematics algorithm is applied to real Stewart parallel manipulator in the real-time control course. The examination result shows that the algorithm is very efficient and practical.

Kinematic Geometry for the Saddle Line Fitting of Planar Discrete Positions

The position synthesis of planar linkages is to locate the center point of the moving joint on a rigid link, whose trajectory is a circle or a straight line. Utilizing the min-max optimization scheme, the fitting curve needs to minimize the maximum fitting error to acquire the dimension of a planar binary P-R link. Based on the saddle point programming, the fitting straight line is determined to the planar discrete point-path traced by the point of the rigid body in planar motion. The property and evolution of the defined saddle line error can be revealed from three given separate points. A quartic algebraic equation relating the fitting error and the coordinates is derived, which agrees with the classical theory. The effect of the fourth point is discussed in three cases through the constraint equations. The multi-position saddle line error is obtained by combination and comparison from the saddle point programming. Several examples are presented to illustrate the solution process for the saddle line error of the moving plane. The saddle line error surface and the contour map presented to show the variations of the fitting error in the fixed frame. The discrete kinematic geometry is then set up to disclose the relations of the separate positions of the rigid body, the location of the tracing point on the moving body, and the position and orientation of the saddle line to the point-path. This paper presents a new analytic geometry method for saddle line fitting and provides a theoretical foundation for position synthesis.

Kinematics and Path Following Control of an Articulated Drum Roller

Automatic navigation of an articulated drum roller, which is an articulated steering type vehicle widely used in the construction industry, is highly expected for operation cost reduction and improvement of work effi- ciency. In order to achieve the path following control, considering that its steering system is articulated steering and two frames are articulated by an active revolute joint, a kinematic model and an error dynamic state-space equation of an articulated drum roller are proposed. Besides, a state- feedback control law based on Lyapunov stability theory is also designed, which can be proved to achieve the purpose of control by the analysis of stability. What＇s more, to evaluate the performance of the proposed method, simu- lation under the MATLAB/Simulink and experiments using positioning algorithm and errors correction at the uneven construction site are performed, with initial dis- placement error （-1.5 m）, heading error （-0.11 tad） and steering angle （-0.19 rad）. Finally, simulation and exper- imental results show that the errors and steering angle can decrease gradually, and converge to zero with time. Meanwhile, the control input is not saturated. An articu- lated drum roller can lock into a desired path with the proposed method in uneven fields.

Model-based framework for multi-axial real-time hybrid simulation testing

Real-time hybrid simulation is an efficient and cost-effective dynamic testing technique for performance evaluation of structural systems subjected to earthquake loading with rate-dependent behavior. A loading assembly with multiple actuators is required to impose realistic boundary conditions on physical specimens. However, such a testing system is expected to exhibit significant dynamic coupling of the actuators and suffer from time lags that are associated with the dynamics of the servo-hydraulic system, as well as control-structure interaction （CSI）. One approach to reducing experimental errors considers a multi-input, multi-output （MIMO） controller design, yielding accurate reference tracking and noise rejection. In this paper, a framework for multi-axial real-time hybrid simulation （maRTHS） testing is presented. The methodology employs a real-time feedback-feedforward controller for multiple actuators commanded in Cartesian coordinates. Kinematic transformations between actuator space and Cartesian space are derived for all six-degrees-of- freedom of the moving platform. Then, a frequency domain identification technique is used to develop an accurate MIMO transfer function of the system. Further, a Cartesian-domain model-based feedforward-feedback controller is implemented for time lag compensation and to increase the robustness of the reference tracking for given model uncertainty. The framework is implemented using the 1/5th-scale Load and Boundary Condition Box （LBCB） located at the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign. To demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed methodology, a single-story frame subjected to earthquake loading is tested. One of the columns in the fraane is represented physically in the laboratory as a cantilevered steel column. For real- time execution, the numerical substructure, kinematic transformations, and controllers are implemented on a digital signal processor. Results show excellent performance of the maRTHS framework when six-degrees-of-freedom are controUed at the interface between substructures.

Explicit Symplectic Geometric Algorithms for Quaternion Kinematical Differential Equation

Solving quaternion kinematical differential equations(QKDE) is one of the most significant problems in the automation, navigation, aerospace and aeronautics literatures. Most existing approaches for this problem neither preserve the norm of quaternions nor avoid errors accumulated in the sense of long term time. We present explicit symplectic geometric algorithms to deal with the quaternion kinematical differential equation by modelling its time-invariant and time-varying versions with Hamiltonian systems and adopting a three-step strategy. Firstly,a generalized Euler's formula and Cayley-Euler formula are proved and used to construct symplectic single-step transition operators via the centered implicit Euler scheme for autonomous Hamiltonian system. Secondly, the symplecticity, orthogonality and invertibility of the symplectic transition operators are proved rigorously. Finally, the explicit symplectic geometric algorithm for the time-varying quaternion kinematical differential equation, i.e., a non-autonomous and non-linear Hamiltonian system essentially, is designed with the theorems proved. Our novel algorithms have simple structures, linear time complexity and constant space complexity of computation. The correctness and efficiencies of the proposed algorithms are verified and validated via numerical simulations.

Applying Global Positioning System Real-Time Kinematic Technology to Collection and Analysis of Rowing Information

To obtain higher accuracy of information concerning boat motion, the use of global positioning system (GPS) real-time kinematic (RTK) technology was investigated. Through RTK technology, a measurement precision of the ±1 cm range can be achieved. The research equipment included a GPS receiver and a personal digital assistant as a data control and processing unit. Real-time GPS data was captured and processed to acquire various parameters, including the boat track, velocity curve, stroke rate, and stroke distance. Using this data, the quantitative information related to rowing training can be achieved. The results are helpful for analyzing the biomechanical parameters of rowing techniques and for evaluating training efficiency.

Development of a Microcomputer System for 3D Kinematic Simulation

Software system is developed for real-time processing of 3D graphics by Visual C + + calling functions in PpenGL under the environment of Windows NT(Windows 95). By 3D modeling after mathematics modeling automatic generation of 3D soid and real-time processing of 3D animaation are realized, and a microcomputer system is developed for real-time kinematic simulation.

Development of Virtual Reference Station in Kinematic Schemes of Geodetic GPS Network Using the Method of Maximum Informative Zone

The factual data on error of positioning in VRS GPS networks have been analyzed, where the mobile receiver is provided with VRS. The method of highly informative zone is suggested for removal of initial vagueness in selection of reference stations for purposes of development of VRS on the basis of minimum GPS network, composed of three reference stations. The recommendations on use of suggested method are given.

Efficient Harmonic Analysis Technique for Prediction of IGS Real-Time Satellite Clock Corrections

Real-time satellite orbit and clock corrections obtained from the broadcast ephemerides can be improved using IGS real-time service (RTS) products. Recent research showed that applying such corrections for broadcast ephemerides can significantly improve the RMS of the estimated coordinates. However, unintentional streaming interruption may happen for many reasons such as software or hardware failure. Streaming interruption, if happened, will cause sudden degradation of the obtained solution if only the broadcast ephemerides are used. A better solution can be obtained in real-time if the predicted part of the ultra-rapid products is used. In this paper, Harmonic analysis technique is used to predict the IGS RTS corrections using historical broadcasted data. It is shown that using the predicted clock corrections improves the RMS of the estimated coordinates by about 72%, 58%, and 72% in latitude, longitude, and height directions, respectively and reduces the 2D and 3D errors by about 80% compared with the predicted part of the IGS ultra-rapid clock corrections.

Kinematic Study on Motoman HP6 Arc Welding Robot Based on Unigraphics

The links of Motoman HP6 arc welding robot are considered as an open kinematic chain which consists of a series of rotational joints through concatenation. One end of the open chain is fixed to the base or the earth, and the other end which is free fastens the end executor to complete various duties. Each link of this arc welding robot has four kinds of Denavit-Hartenberg parameters: common normal length between two adjacent links, angle of two adjacent joints, distance between the crossing of common normal length and two joints axes, and angle of two adjacent links. The displacement relation between each link of the Motoman HP6 arc welding robot is introduced, and the kinematic positive-going solution and the kinematic passive-going solution are calculated.

多体位智能轮椅床椅转换装置的运动学仿真分析

介绍了多体位智能轮椅的坐、躺、立、蹲、行5种姿态的转换功能,对床椅转换装置进行简化处理,建立背板机构的运动学模型,利用MATLAB对模型进行计算,得到背板的角速度和角加速度时间的运动曲线。利用ADAMS对优化后的装置模型进行运动学分析,得到改进后床椅转换装置的运动曲线。结果表明:该装置具有较好的运动学性能,在床椅转换过程中背板的最大角加速度达到了16°/s^(2),小于人体所能承受的最大角加速度50°/s^(2)。改进后,床椅平稳转换的时间有所延长,转换过程耗时7.5 s,在0.7~6.9 s内,背板运动趋于加速度接近0的平稳运动,表明推杆速度设计合理。

无寄生运动3-DOF 2T1R并联机构拓扑设计与分析

为充分研究少自由度并联机构所具备优势,拓宽其应用领域,设计并研究一种含冗余支链且无寄生运动三自由度两平移一转动(2T1R)并联机构,完成运动学和动力学分析。基于方位特征集(POC)的拓扑机构学理论方法,设计了一种含冗余支链且无寄生运动的两平移一转动并联机构,并进行拓扑分析,结果表明:该机构还具有部分运动解耦特性;根据基于拓扑特征运动学的建模方法,求得机构位置正反符号解;又基于位置反解分析了机构奇异性,基于位置正解给出了工作空间;基于虚功原理的序单开链法对机构进行动力学建模,求得了该机构移动副处的驱动力以及两个子运动链(SKC)连接处的支反力;概念设计了该机构的一种应用场景。

一种可实现多运动模态的串并联机构的运动学分析

串联机构灵活,工作空间大,并联机构稳定,承载能力强。串联和并联机构结合起来的混联机构兼具两者的优点,整体机构的灵活性高且工作空间大,可以实现多种运动模态,但运动学分析较复杂。提出了一种基于3-RPS的新型串并混联机构,其可以实现多种运动模态。首先,阐述了机构的结构特性,建立了机构的坐标系;其次,根据机构特点,对其进行了正、逆运动学的分析,建立机构的正解和逆解模型;最后,通过数值算例进行验证,将理论计算结果与Adams仿真结果进行对比分析,结果表明,所构建运动学模型正确,且机构具有蜿蜒、伸缩等多模态运动功能。

基于ADAMS的Stewart平台运动学分析

针对在Stewart 6自由度并联平台设计中,支腿的运动学及动力学参数理论计算过于复杂的问题,课题组提出了基于ADAMS的Stewart平台反解与正解相结合的分析方法。首先,通过ADAMS反解求得支腿位移参数;然后,将位移参数转换为驱动函数添加在各个支腿上;接着,通过ADAMS正解求解支腿其余运动参数;最后,通过实例对比理论计算与ADAMS分析数据。结果表明:课题组提出方法求得的支腿位移与理论值之差均小于0.01 mm,支腿最大速度及最大加速度与理论值误差均小于2%,从而验证了该分析方法的合理性与科学性。该分析方法为工程中遇到的6自由度平台已知动平台驱动函数求解支腿参数的实际问题提供了一种高效的解决办法。