Outline CReSIS Platforms Overview Meridian UAS Status Update
(Medium UASs) 40% Yak UAS Status Update (Small UASs) Sensor
Platform Integration (Other UASs) Future Developments, Plans and
Challenges
Slide 3
What do the >700 Available UAV Platforms Offer?
Slide 4
KU Unmanned Aircraft 4
Slide 5
5 Sensors UAS-Based Radar Design Evolution is ongoing Eight
transmit/receive channels digital beamsteering and interferometry
Eight data acquisition channels 12-bits, 111-MHz sampling rate
Volume: 50 x 50 x 20 cm Mass: 55 kg Input power: 400 W Small form
factor for RF modules Custom antenna elements 3.2-lb Vivaldi
antenna (51 x 40 x 0.32 cm) 162 to 1121 MHz 195-MHz center
frequency 30-MHz bandwidth scaled down 2-channel version is
developed for UAS field tests
Slide 6
Meridian UAS Overview For more information, contact: Rick Hale,
PhD, Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering 1530 W 15 th St.,
2120 Learned Hall, Lawrence, KS 66045 785-864-2949, [email protected],
[email protected]
Meridian UAS range and endurance improve with reduced cruise,
reduced payload weight or higher altitude missions
Slide 9
Meridian UAS Flight Test History: Configurations and Fields 9
of XX August 28 th, 2009 September 10 th -15 th, 2009 December 31
st, 2009 July 17 August 12, 2011; December 20, 2011
Slide 10
Meridian UAS System Improvements Installation of Thielert
Centurion 2.0 engine, and removal of ground cart Lower weight
cowling (12 lbs) Redundant 2.4GHz receivers, with frequency hopping
for lower risk of interference or jamming Improved avionics package
and starting sequence Improved safety features (external power,
tethered engine kill) Common avionics on 40% Yak enables more
frequent training Flight tests for assisted landing modes First COA
application in review to enable training and operation in National
Airspace
Slide 11
Depth Sounder (MCoRDS) Progress Hardware Updates 4-Channel RF
Receiver in a 3U PXI Form Factor. Reduced Size. Easy Integration
into Digital System. Adapted to Other Systems. 1kW T/R Module.
Power Amplifier and Duplexer Tested and Thermal Images at 1kW
Operation. Improve System Sensitivity.
Slide 12
40% Yak Trainer Is Also Being Equipped with Dual Low Frequency
Sounder Local flights imminent; potential Alaska mission in August
pending COA; Antarctic deployment December 2013; Greenland
deployment March 2014
Slide 13
Dual Low Frequency Sounder Miniaturized system for small UAS
operation. 14 and 35 MHz. 100-200 W Tx Power. 10 lbs. Antennas
integrated into the UAS structure. 2-D Aperture Synthesis. Sub
systems applicable to other sensors. Backpack portable.
Snow/Ku-Band Systems. 100-Watts Pulsed Amplifier (230 gr.) (image
from SpinCore Inc). Compact Digital System. Prototype Version.
Embedded Microblaze Processing Core for command, control, data acq.
& storage. Mixed Signal Front End (ADC/DAC/Clock). Single Chip
RF Receiver (LNA/VGA/LPF). SD-Card Storage (128 GB, ~2MB/sec).
Integrated GPS receiver. Future hardware teaching platform
(DSP/FPGA).
Slide 14
Snow Radar Results Comparison of Snow Radar with AMSR-E derived
snow depth. Interface Tracking: Snow Thickness and Accumulation
Rates. Satellite can be used to estimate sea ice thickness from
freeboard measurements. Significant error can arise from unknown
snow loading. Laser will overestimate thickness. Radar is more
complicated because the reflecting surface depends on snow
conditions. Snow cover modulates heat transfer between the
atmosphere and the ocean. Weddell Sea
Slide 15
Ikhana/Sierra Snow Radar Miniaturized version of the snow radar
for UAS deployments. Compact COTS Controller & DAQ. Custom
wideband chirping PLL. Autonomous Operation. Originally targeted
for NASA Ikhana platform with modifications for Sierra. Ikhana
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/
FactSheets/FS-097-DFRC.html
Slide 16
Mizoplex/Ikhana/Sierra Useful Payload: 100 lbs Max Altitude:
12,000 ft Air Speed: 60 knots Range: 600 Nmi Endurance: 10 hours
Power: 19Amps @ 28 V DC Sea Ice Flight Tests, Alaska, July/August
2013
Slide 17
Precision Formation Flight Requires Coordinated Sensor and
Platform Development
Slide 18
Improved Command and Control: Advanced Nonlinear Controller for
UAS Experience gained from the 2011 campaign has helped to define
new priorities in the control and command side research.
Over-the-horizon flights and CReSIS missions in hostile polar
regions demand adaptive and resilient controllers. To meet safety
and performance requirements in unstructured environment (e.g.
Polar Regions), a new nonlinear model predictive controller and an
adaptive guidance logic are designed for CReSIS UASs. Performance
of new Meridians NMPC Trajectory Following: Controller in Presence
of Cross-WindAdaptation of Controller to a 20% Intentional
Reduction 3D Flight Views of CL0 (e.g. damage or impairment)
Slide 19
GlobalHawk/Ventures
Slide 20
20 EMI Testing and Mitigation CReSIS radars are capable of
detecting signals on the order of nanovolts EMI can dramatically
degrade radar performance and interfere with UAS operation and
control We have taken a proactive attitude toward EMI and EMC
issues Purchased a 4x8 meter chamber Conducted tests at the Sprint
chamber Submitted MRI proposal to develop a 10-meter chamber at
CReSIS/KU Example: reduction of a 150 MHz source radiating from a
compact PCI power supply
Slide 21
CReSIS Anechoic Chamber Facility NSF MRI Project The Chamber
has become an extremely useful and valuable asset for
Radar/Avionics/System design and testing. EMI identification and
reduction. Improve sensor sensitivity. Reduce interference between
sensors and avionics. Test systems at full power. Measure antenna
gain and efficiency. Measure array patterns and mutual coupling.
Industry collaborations. Student Education. Fully functional in
Summer 2012. chamber.ku.edu Sensor Noise Reduction Platform and
sensor interference mitigation. Antenna Pattern and Coupling
Slide 22
Anechoic Chamber Use P-3 MCoRDS Array Analysis. Identified
differences in element radiation patterns. Need to characterize to
correctly reduce surface clutter. Radar Electronics Noise Analysis.
Routine measurements of all new equipment and upgrades to
characterize noise. HF Sounder. Antenna Pattern & Efficiency.
Reduction in Antenna Performance due to proximity of servo wires.
Interference from Avionics. Increased noise floor due to servo
control transients.
Slide 23
Sensor Platform Integration Simulated and experimental data
confirms compensation techniques for wing flexure induced pattern
rotation and shifting and filling of nulls; more important with
small flexible airframes typical in UAS
Slide 24
Summary and Plans Continued emphasis on ground and flight tests
and sensor integration for upcoming deployments Dual low frequency
sounder on Yak G1X UAS radar on Meridian UWB radar on Basler
Continued support of other external platform integration Pursue new
opportunities