A method to interpret fracture aperture of rock slope using adaptive shape and unmanned aerial vehicle multi-angle nap-of-the-object photogrammetry

The aperture of natural rock fractures significantly affects the deformation and strength properties of rock masses,as well as the hydrodynamic properties of fractured rock masses.The conventional measurement methods are inadequate for collecting data on high-steep rock slopes in complex mountainous regions.This study establishes a high-resolution three-dimensional model of a rock slope using unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)multi-angle nap-of-the-object photogrammetry to obtain edge feature points of fractures.Fracture opening morphology is characterized using coordinate projection and transformation.Fracture central axis is determined using vertical measuring lines,allowing for the interpretation of aperture of adaptive fracture shape.The feasibility and reliability of the new method are verified at a construction site of a railway in southeast Tibet,China.The study shows that the fracture aperture has a significant interval effect and size effect.The optimal sampling length for fractures is approximately 0.5e1 m,and the optimal aperture interpretation results can be achieved when the measuring line spacing is 1%of the sampling length.Tensile fractures in the study area generally have larger apertures than shear fractures,and their tendency to increase with slope height is also greater than that of shear fractures.The aperture of tensile fractures is generally positively correlated with their trace length,while the correlation between the aperture of shear fractures and their trace length appears to be weak.Fractures of different orientations exhibit certain differences in their distribution of aperture,but generally follow the forms of normal,log-normal,and gamma distributions.This study provides essential data support for rock and slope stability evaluation,which is of significant practical importance.

A landslide monitoring method using data from unmanned aerial vehicle and terrestrial laser scanning with insufficient and inaccurate ground control points

Non-contact remote sensing techniques,such as terrestrial laser scanning(TLS)and unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)photogrammetry,have been globally applied for landslide monitoring in high and steep mountainous areas.These techniques acquire terrain data and enable ground deformation monitoring.However,practical application of these technologies still faces many difficulties due to complex terrain,limited access and dense vegetation.For instance,monitoring high and steep slopes can obstruct the TLS sightline,and the accuracy of the UAV model may be compromised by absence of ground control points(GCPs).This paper proposes a TLS-and UAV-based method for monitoring landslide deformation in high mountain valleys using traditional real-time kinematics(RTK)-based control points(RCPs),low-precision TLS-based control points(TCPs)and assumed control points(ACPs)to achieve high-precision surface deformation analysis under obstructed vision and impassable conditions.The effects of GCP accuracy,GCP quantity and automatic tie point(ATP)quantity on the accuracy of UAV modeling and surface deformation analysis were comprehensively analyzed.The results show that,the proposed method allows for the monitoring accuracy of landslides to exceed the accuracy of the GCPs themselves by adding additional low-accuracy GCPs.The proposed method was implemented for monitoring the Xinhua landslide in Baoxing County,China,and was validated against data from multiple sources.

Review of Effective Vegetation Mapping Using the UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Method

We tried more precise mapping of vegetation using UAV?(unmanned aerial vehicle), as a new method of creating vegetation maps, and we?objected to be clearly the efficient mapping of vegetation using the UAV method by comparing vegetation maps created by analysing aerial photographs taken by a UAV and an aircraft (manned flight). The aerial photography using UAV was conducted in the Niida River estuary (the secondary river flowing into Minamisoma City in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan). The photography period was in August 2013. We analysed the aerial photographs using ArcGis 9 (Esri Japan Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). The aerial photographs of the main plant communities (Phragmites australis,?Typha domingensis, and?Miscanthus sacchariflorus) taken by the UAV could clearly discriminate each plant community at the 1/50 scale. Moreover, it could clearly discriminate the shape of a plant at the 1/10 scale. We compared the vegetation maps by analysing the aerial photos taken by a UAV (2013 shooting) and an aircraft (2011 shooting). As a result, the vegetation map created by the UAV method could clearly discriminate community distributions. We conclude that vegetation surveys using UAV are possible and are capable of a highly precise community division in places where field reconnaissance is difficult. The UAV method is effective and will contribute to the improvement of research methods in the future;this method may reduce research costs associated with a reduction in field survey days and man-power.

A new approach to study terrestrial yardang geomorphology based on high-resolution data acquired by unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs): A showcase of whaleback yardangs in Qaidam Basin, NW China

Yardangs are wind-eroded ridges usually observed in arid regions on Earth and other planets. Previous geomorphology studies of terrestrial yardang fields depended on satellite data and limited fieldwork. The geometry measurements of those yardangs based on satellite data are limited to the length, the width, and the spacing between the yardangs; elevations could not be studied due to the relatively low resolution of the satellite acquired elevation data, e.g. digital elevation models(DEMs). However, the elevation information(e.g. heights of the yardang surfaces) and related information(e.g. slope) of the yardangs are critical to understanding the characteristics and evolution of these aeolian features. Here we report a novel approach, using unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs) to generate centimeterresolution orthomosaics and DEMs for the study of whaleback yardangs in Qaidam Basin, NW China. The ultra-high-resolution data provide new insights into the geomorphology characteristics and evolution of the whaleback yardangs in Qaidam Basin. These centimeter-resolution datasets also have important potential in:(1) high accuracy estimation of erosion volume;(2) modeling in very fine scale of wind dynamics related to yardang formation;(3) detailed comparative planetary geomorphology study for Mars, Venus, and Titan.

Unmanned aerial vehicles towards future Industrial Internet:Roles and opportunities

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles(UAVs)are gaining increasing attention in many fields,such as military,logistics,and hazardous site mapping.Utilizing UAVs to assist communications is one of the promising applications and research directions.The future Industrial Internet places higher demands on communication quality.The easy deployment,dynamic mobility,and low cost of UAVs make them a viable tool for wireless communication in the Industrial Internet.Therefore,UAVs are considered as an integral part of Industry 4.0.In this article,three typical use cases of UAVs-assisted communications in Industrial Internet are first summarized.Then,the state-of-the-art technologies for drone-assisted communication in support of the Industrial Internet are presented.According to the current research,it can be assumed that UAV-assisted communication can support the future Industrial Internet to a certain extent.Finally,the potential research directions and open challenges in UAV-assisted communications in the upcoming future Industrial Internet are discussed.

Underdetermined direction of arrival estimation with nonuniform linear motion sampling based on a small unmanned aerial vehicle platform

Uniform linear array(ULA)radars are widely used in the collision-avoidance radar systems of small unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs).In practice,a ULA's multi-target direction of arrival(DOA)estimation performance suffers from significant performance degradation owing to the limited number of physical elements.To improve the underdetermined DOA estimation performance of a ULA radar mounted on a small UAV platform,we propose a nonuniform linear motion sampling underdetermined DOA estimation method.Using the motion of the UAV platform,the echo signal is sampled at different positions.Then,according to the concept of difference co-array,a virtual ULA with multiple array elements and a large aperture is synthesized to increase the degrees of freedom(DOFs).Through position analysis of the original and motion arrays,we propose a nonuniform linear motion sampling method based on ULA for determining the optimal DOFs.Under the condition of no increase in the aperture of the physical array,the proposed method obtains a high DOF with fewer sampling runs and greatly improves the underdetermined DOA estimation performance of ULA.The results of numerical simulations conducted herein verify the superior performance of the proposed method.

Ground target localization of unmanned aerial vehicle based on scene matching

In order to improve target localization precision,accuracy,execution efficiency,and application range of the unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)based on scene matching,a ground target localization method for unmanned aerial vehicle based on scene matching(GTLUAVSM)is proposed.The sugges-ted approach entails completing scene matching through a feature matching algorithm.Then,multi-sensor registration is optimized by robust estimation based on homologous registration.Finally,basemap generation and model solution are utilized to improve basemap correspondence and accom-plish aerial image positioning.Theoretical evidence and experimental verification demonstrate that GTLUAVSM can improve localization accuracy,speed,and precision while minimizing reliance on task equipment.

Received Power Based Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Jamming Detection and Nodes Classification Using Machine Learning

This paper presents a machine-learning method for detecting jamming UAVs and classifying nodes during jamming attacks onWireless Sensor Networks(WSNs).Jamming is a type of Denial of Service(DoS)attack and intentional interference where a malicious node transmits a high-power signal to increase noise on the receiver side to disrupt the communication channel and reduce performance significantly.To defend and prevent such attacks,the first step is to detect them.The current detection approaches use centralized techniques to detect jamming,where each node collects information and forwards it to the base station.As a result,overhead and communication costs increased.In this work,we present a jamming attack and classify nodes into different categories based on their location to the jammer by employing a single node observer.As a result,we introduced a machine learning model that uses distance ratios and power received as features to detect such attacks.Furthermore,we considered several types of jammers transmitting at different power levels to evaluate the proposed metrics using MATLAB.With a detection accuracy of 99.7%for the k-nearest neighbors(KNN)algorithm and average testing accuracy of 99.9%,the presented solution is capable of efficiently and accurately detecting jamming attacks in wireless sensor networks.

High Spatial Resolution Mapping of Dykes Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle(UAV) Photogrammetry: New Insights On Emplacement Processes

Remote sensing has played a pivotal role in our understanding of the geometry of dykes and dyke swarms on Earth,Venus and Mars(West and Ernst,1991;Mege and Masson,1995;Ernst et al.,2005).Since the 1970’s

Contour Based Path Planning with B-Spline Trajectory Generation for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) over Hostile Terrain

This research focuses on trajectory generation algorithms that take into account the stealthiness of autonomous UAVs;generating stealthy paths through a region laden with enemy radars. The algorithm is employed to estimate the risk cost of the navigational space and generate an optimized path based on the user-specified threshold altitude value. Thus the generated path is represented with a set of low-radar risk waypoints being the coordinates of its control points. The radar-aware path planner is then approximated using cubic B-splines by considering the least radar risk to the destination. Simulated results are presented, illustrating the potential benefits of such algorithms.

Functional Sustainability of a Flight Dynamics Control System for Stable Hovering Flight of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle(UAV),such as in Agricultural Applications:Mathematical Modeling and Simulation

The simulation of a control system for the longitudinal axis of the rotary or fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs)is demonstrated in this study.The control unit includes design considerations of two controllers to provide robust stability,tracking of the proposed linear dynamics,an adequate set of proportional-integral-derivative(PID)controller gains,and a minimal cost function.The PID control and linear quadratic regulator(LQR)with or without full-state-observer were evaluated.An optimal control system is assumed to provide fast rise and settling time,minimize overshoot,and eliminate the steady-state error.The effectiveness of this approach was verified by a linear model of the UAV aircraft in the semi-dynamic simulation platform of Matlab/Simulink,in which the open-loop system was assessed in terms of flight robustness and reference tracking.The experimental results show that the proposed controllers effectively improve the configuration of the control system of the plant,maintain the sustainability of the dynamic flight model stability,and diminish the flight controller errors.The LQR provides robust stability,but it is not optimal in the transient phase of particular plant output.The PID control system can adjust the controller’s gains for optimal hovering(or stable slow flight)and is especially useful for the tracking system.Finally,comparing aircraft stability using PID and LQR controllers shows that the latter has less overshoot and a shorter settling time;in addition,all proposed controllers can be practically deployed as one UAV’s system,which can be handled as an exemplary model of the UAV flight management system.

Technical Specification for Application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle( UAV) Monitoring of Rocky Desertification in Karst Area

Taking the opportunity of the third monitoring of rocky desertification in the karst area of China,Zigui County of Hubei Province applied Unmanned Aerial Vehicle( UAV) for the first time for monitoring. Through repeated trials and studies,it established technical requirements including the UAV monitoring technology for the rocky desertification,the feature point photographing,UAV video judgment of rocky desertification degree,UAV video correction misclassification subcompartment,and UAV video observation of rocky desertification control. It completed the third rocky desertification monitoring task of karst area in Zigui County.

Theoretical Investigations on Mapping Mean Distributions of Particulate Matter,Inert,Reactive,and Secondary Pollutants from Wildfires by Unmanned Air Vehicles(UAVs)

Evaluated Weather Research and Forecasting model inline with chemistry (WRF/Chem) simulations of the 2009 Crazy Mountain Complex wildfire in Interior Alaska served as a testbed for typical Alaska wildfire-smoke conditions. A virtual unmanned air vehicle (UAV) sampled temperatures, dewpoint temperatures, primary inert and reactive gases and particular matter of different sizes as well as secondary pollutants from the WRF/Chem results using different sampling patterns, altitudes and speeds to investigate the impact of the sampling design on obtained mean distributions. In this experimental design, the WRF/Chem data served as the “grand truth” to assess the mean distributions from sampling. During frontal passage, the obtained mean distributions were sensitive to the flight patterns, speeds and heights. For inert constituents mean distributions from sampling agreed with the “grand truth” within a factor of two at 1000 m. Mean distributions of gases involved in photochemistry differed among flight patterns except for ozone. The diurnal cycle of these gases’ concentrations led to overestimation (underestimation) of 20 h means in areas of high (low) concentrations as compared to the “grand truth.” The mean ozone distribution was sensitive to the speed of the virtual UAV. Particulate matter showed the strongest sensitivity to the flight patterns, especially during precipitation.

INTEGRATED DESIGN OF AN ELECTRIC POWERED UNMANNED AIR VEHICLE USING CONCURRENT SUBSPACE DESIGN

The concurrent subspace design (CSD) framework has been used to conduct a preliminary design optimization of an electric powered, unmanned air vehicle (EPUAV) operating at a low Reynolds number. A multidisciplinary system analysis that includes aerodynamics, weights, propulsion, performance and stability and control has been developed for this class of vehicles. The CSD framework employs artificial neural network based response surfaces to provide approximations to the design space. The EPUAV system includes 25 continuous and 4 discrete design variables. The CSD framework was able to identify feasible designs with significant weight reductions relative to any previously considered (i.e. initial database) designs. This was accomplished with a limited number of system analyses. The results also demonstrate the nature of this design framework adaptive to changes in design requirements.

基于多密度流聚类的UAV-NOMA用户分簇与功率分配算法

针对无人机(Unmanned Aerial Vehicle,UAV)辅助非正交多址(Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access,NOMA)下行通信系统,提出了最大化和速率的用户动态分簇与功率分配方案.考虑用户服务质量与UAV位置约束,建立了和速率最大化的优化问题.由于目标函数的非凸性,将原问题解耦为三个子问题,分别优化UAV位置部署与用户连接、用户动态分簇、功率分配以提高系统性能.首先,基于K-means算法设计了UAV位置部署与用户连接方案,以减小路损为目的确定UAV最佳部署位置,同时选择其服务的最优用户群;其次,改进多密度流聚类(Multi-Density Stream Clustering, MDSC)算法,提出了单UAV下用户静态与动态分簇方案,静态分簇方案可自适应平衡簇数与簇用户数,并获得较大的簇内用户信道增益差异,动态分簇方案则针对用户移动属性,制定了即时更新策略;最后,使用分式规划(Fractional Programming,FP)二次变换的方法,引入辅助变量将原非凸问题变换为凸问题,交替优化辅助变量与功率分配因子,获得原非凸问题的次优解.仿真结果表明,与其他算法相比,本文分簇方案能获得更大的簇内信道差异与更小的簇内用户数标准差,同时用户系统性能也获得了显著提升.

基于DPBBO算法的智慧云仓UAV盘库作业优化

针对智慧云仓货物信息量大、易出现账物不符等库存管理问题,迫切需要将无人机(unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV)和工业物联网(industrial Internet of things, IIoT)集成起来,为仓储精细化管理提供解决方案。首先,分析盘库作业数据采集与信息交互运行机制,以危险避障和数据采集为约束函数,考虑了UAV在加速、减速、匀速、转角等飞行条件下的能耗差异,并以能耗最低和时间最短为目标函数构造UAV盘库作业数学模型;然后,设计了差分迁移-分段变异生物地理学优化(differential migration-piecewise mutation-biogeography-based optimization, DPBBO)算法对上述模型进行优化解算;最后,进行了仿真实验验证。结果表明:DPBBO算法对解决该盘库作业问题的效果较优,可以提升库存抽检任务的时效性和库存管理的准确性。

Rotary unmanned aerial vehicles path planning in rough terrain based on multi-objective particle swarm optimization

This paper presents a path planning approach for rotary unmanned aerial vehicles(R-UAVs)in a known static rough terrain environment.This approach aims to find collision-free and feasible paths with minimum altitude,length and angle variable rate.First,a three-dimensional(3D)modeling method is proposed to reduce the computation burden of the dynamic models of R-UAVs.Considering the length,height and tuning angle of a path,the path planning of R-UAVs is described as a tri-objective optimization problem.Then,an improved multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm is developed.To render the algorithm more effective in dealing with this problem,a vibration function is introduced into the collided solutions to improve the algorithm efficiency.Meanwhile,the selection of the global best position is taken into account by the reference point method.Finally,the experimental environment is built with the help of the Google map and the 3D terrain generator World Machine.Experimental results under two different rough terrains from Guilin and Lanzhou of China demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed algorithm in finding Pareto optimal paths.

Multi-objective Optimization Design of Vented Cylindrical Airbag Cushioning System for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Multi-objective optimization design of the gas-filled bag cushion landing system is investigated.Firstly,the landing process of airbag is decomposed into a adiabatic compression and a release of landing shock energy,and the differential equation of cylindrical gas-filled bag is presented from a theoretical perspective based on the ideal gas state equation and dynamic equation.Then,the effects of exhaust areas and blasting pressure on buffer characteristics are studied,taking those parameters as design variable for the multiobjective optimization problem,and the solution can be determined by comparing Pareto set,which is gained by NSGA-Ⅱ.Finally,the feasibility of the design scheme is verified by experimental results of the ground test.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles:Control Methods and Future Challenges

With the rapid development of computer technology,automatic control technology and communication technology,research on unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs)has attracted extensive attention from all over the world during the last decades.Particularly due to the demand of various civil applications,the conceptual design of UAV and autonomous flight control technology have been promoted and developed mutually.This paper is devoted to providing a brief review of the UAV control issues,including motion equations,various classical and advanced control approaches.The basic ideas,applicable conditions,advantages and disadvantages of these control approaches are illustrated and discussed.Some challenging topics and future research directions are raised.

Flight Control System of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

To date unmanned aerial system(UAS)technologies have attracted more and more attention from countries in the world.Unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs)play an important role in reconnaissance,surveillance,and target tracking within military and civil fields.Here one briefly introduces the development of UAVs,and reviews its various subsystems including autopilot,ground station,mission planning and management subsystem,navigation system and so on.Furthermore,an overview is provided for advanced design methods of UAVs control system,including the linear feedback control,adaptive and nonlinear control,and intelligent control techniques.Finally,the future of UAVs flight control techniques is forecasted.