USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Jacoby Ryan Larson

Michael Bruch

Nghia Tran

Aaron Bruce Burmeister

Amin Mohammad Rahimi

Darren Powell

Christopher Michael Barngrover

Julian Yousif Raheema

Ryan Halterman

Jason Lum

Mark Tjersland

A system for localization includes a radar, a database, a simulator, a registrar, and a filter. The radar is positioned at a disposed location requiring localization. The radar generates a radar image scanning a proximity around the disposed location. The database stores features of a landmass. The simulator generates synthesized images of the features that the radar is predicted to generate from corresponding viewpoints. The registrar calculates respective correlation indicators between the radar image and each synthesized image. The filter sets a pose estimate of the disposed location to an average of those viewpoints from which correspond the synthesized images having the best or better ones of the correlation indicators.

Localization using particle filtering and image registration of radar against elevation datasets

A method and system which enable the automatic adjustment of the rotational speed of a radar antenna in a radar system having a continuously rotating radar antenna based on where objects are being detected. The automatic adjustment of the rotational speed of the radar antenna is controlled by a controller integrated with the radar system and is based on the bearing of the emitting antenna relative to objects being detected. The method relies on continuously reading the angular position of the antenna and corresponding the presence of detected objects to this angular position so as to automatically adjust the speed of the antenna to slow down the antenna while it is directing wave signals towards detected targets and speed up the antenna while it is directing wave signals in a direction where there are no detected objects.

System and method for automatic real time control of the rotational speed of a radar antenna

A single-scanning system for a robot can include a base and a nodding mechanism that pivotably attached to the base. A single-scan sensor such as a lidar or laser sensor can be fixed to the nodding mechanism, and a controller can be connected to the single-scan sensor and motor via a gear arrangement. The controller can manipulate nodding characteristics such as nodding range and nodding angular velocity dynamically, during operation of the robot, either in response to a command from a remote user, robot autonomy system, or according to written instructions included in the controller. An encoder disk can interconnect the nodding mechanism to the controller. With this configuration, the encoder disk can receive sensor data from the single-scan sensor, for further transmission to said controller. A transceiver can route sensor data to the remote user, and can also receive commands from the remote user.

Nodding mechanism for a single-scan sensor

The present invention can find the exact location anywhere in the nautical world (latitude/longitude coordinates) by correlating or matching radar returns with maps produced by a digital nautical chart called a Chart Server, because each pixel location on the Chart Server maps can be traced back to a latitude/longitude coordinate. An obstacle avoidance module called a Chart Server provides digital nautical charts to create a map of the world. To determine the current world location of a vehicle, the invention combines the Chart Server maps with a radar return, which also appears to display prominent features such as coastlines, buoys, piers and the like. These return features from the radar are correlated or matched with features found in the Chart Server maps. The radar then reports its current location inside of its local map, which when translated to the Chart Server map, correlates to a latitude/longitude registration location.

Registration of latitude/longitude coordinates using range detection sensors and digital nautical charts

A method involves calculating a closest point of approach (CPA) between a vehicle and a moving obstacle, determining the CPA is within a pre-determined distance from the vehicle at a point in time along the vehicle path, calculating a projected obstacle area (POA) for the moving obstacle, and modifying the vehicle path so the vehicle avoids the POA. The POA is a polygonal region between the boundaries calculated by determining a first point in time along the obstacle path that the moving obstacle is within the pre-determined distance, determining a second point in time along the obstacle path that the moving obstacle is within the pre-determined distance, creating a first line on one side of a midpoint line based upon a pre-determined angle of uncertainty, and creating a second line on the other side of the midpoint line based upon the pre-determined angle of uncertainty.

Method for determining projected obstacle areas for moving obstacles

A method includes the steps of receiving a present route for a vehicle based on a present vehicle location and a vehicle destination, receiving obstacle information from a sensor of a sensor array, the received obstacle information including information about at least one moving obstacle, and determining if the received present route is valid based upon the received obstacle information. If the received present route is invalid, the method determines a revised route based upon the received present route, the received obstacle information, and/or the vehicle destination. A system incorporating the method may include a sensor array, a communication link, a processing module, and a navigation module. The system and method may be used to control the route of a vehicle such as an unmanned surface vehicle that may be land-based, water-based, or air-based.

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Surprise, AZ, United States of America

Jacoby Ryan Larson