Research on flexible automation and robotics for plant production at Rutgers University.

This is an overview of research activities in the areas of flexible automation and robotics (FAR) within controlled environment plant production systems (CEPPS) in the Department of Bioresource Engineering, Rutgers University. In the past thirty years, our CEPPS research has dealt with the topics including structures and energy, environmental monitoring and control, plant growing systems, operations research and decision support systems, flexible automation and robotics, and impact to natural (i.e. surrounding) environment. Computer and modeling/simulation techniques have been utilized extensively. Mechanized systems have been developed to substitute human's physical labor and maintain uniformity in production. Automation research has been directed towards adding, to the mechanized systems, the capabilities of perception, reasoning, communication, and task planning. Computers, because of their programmability, provide flexibility to automated systems, when incorporated with generic hardware devices. Robots are ideal hardware tools to be employed in flexible automation systems. Some technologies developed in our CEPPS research may be readily adaptable to Closed Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (CBLSS).     

军用飞机使用可用度仿真论证

使用可用度是军用飞机重要的可靠性维修性保障性RMS(Reliability, Maintainability and Supportability)顶层参数.为了确定合理有效的使用可用度,根据论证阶段的实际情况,综合考虑军用飞机任务需求、初始使用和保障方案以及相似装备的RMS指标等信息,利用Monte-Carlo方法和排队论构建模型.对仿真过程中的任务开始、故障时刻、维修时间的抽样进行了分析,给出了抽样公式.以军用飞机RMS指标和使用保障方案作为仿真输入,反复迭代计算获得一族使用可用度与RMS参数的关系曲线,再综合权衡获得合理的使用可用度和相关RMS指标.给出了可靠性仿真的算法流程和相关的计算公式,并以案例验证了该方法的可行性.仿真模型具有通用性,可根据实际情况修改统计公式,满足不同参数的论证需求.      

基于气浮台的微小卫星姿态控制实时仿真

针对某在研卫星项目任务需求,以单轴气浮台为仿真平台,对单刚体微小卫星的姿态控制问题进行了气浮台实时仿真研究.介绍了微小卫星仿真气浮台系统的硬件组成,论述了仿真系统软件实现的机制,分析了姿态控制系统的基本原理.根据任务要求,对微小卫星三轴正常姿态稳定控制,大角度机动姿态控制模式进行了仿真实验.实验结果表明姿态控制系统的控制精度能够满足任务要求,从而验证了姿态控制系统方案的正确性和可行性.     

卫星高功能密度综合电子系统设计

微小卫星综合电子系统承载了卫星大部分功能，是卫星任务处理和控制的中心，未来新的智能化应用、星群应用、通信服务等需求也将由卫星执行，对综合电子系统提出了新的要求。分析了国外典型小卫星综合电子系统，具有功能综合度高、多数功能集中在一台计算机中、卫星功能软件化的特点。设计了基于软件定义的综合电子系统一体化结构，硬件采用高度集成的模块化设计，软件采用分层和组件化设计，将系统功能进行分层，通过软件定义组件的方式实现各层功能和业务。高功能密度综合电子系统由一个通用化的高性能硬件平台和各种可加载的APP软件组成，除传统功能外，还可扩展自主任务管理、星间组网和载荷管理等功能，不仅使卫星的集成度和功能密度大幅提升，还能实现卫星功能重构，达到一星多用、一星多能的目的，有利于紧急时期卫星系统快速构建与应用，对于未来星座组网应用也具有一定意义。     

Active shape control for flexible space structures using an optimal gyricity distribution

An active shape control approach for a circular flexible space structure is studied. The shape of these flexible structures may need active shape control due to some particular mission objectives. For example, antenna reflectors may have requirements for their shape accuracy to guarantee communication performance; and some solar sails may change their shape to realize different commissions during interplanetary flight. This paper investigates an active shape control process executed by the gyricity (stored angular momentum) distribution existing in the circular flexible space structure. The shape of the circular flexible space structure is expected to be reformed from a plane plate to a paraboloidal plate. An optimal gyricity distribution is derived based on the optimal control theory for systems described by partial differential equations. Distributed forces can be generated by the optimal gyricity distribution in a rotating field to implement the active shape control. The dynamic model of the circular flexible space structure is established for the active shape control through the finite element method. Numerical simulation validates the functionality of the shape control method, and illustrates the shape-adjusting process of the circular flexible space structure.     

Model implementation for dynamic computation of system cost for advanced life support.

Life support system designs for long-duration space missions have a multitude of requirements drivers, such as mission objectives, political considerations, cost, crew wellness, inherent mission attributes, as well as many other influences. Evaluation of requirements satisfaction can be difficult, particularly at an early stage of mission design. Because launch cost is a critical factor and relatively easy to quantify, it is a point of focus in early mission design. The method used to determine launch cost influences the accuracy of the estimate. This paper discusses the appropriateness of dynamic mission simulation in estimating the launch cost of a life support system. This paper also provides an abbreviated example of a dynamic simulation life support model and possible ways in which such a model might be utilized for design improvement.     

基于数据驱动的移动目标卫星任务规划

卫星任务规划是卫星地球观测的重要前提。传统的卫星任务规划主要针对固定地面目标,不能满足日益复杂的任务需求。针对移动目标的卫星观测任务,提出了一种基于数据驱动的移动目标卫星任务规划方法。该方法在大量的移动目标数据的基础上,通过改进的长短期记忆神经网络算法预测了目标的未来轨迹和位置信息,并通过约束满足型遗传算法规划了基于预测算法结果的移动目标卫星观测任务。鉴于移动目标观测中约束和任务冲突的复杂性,约束满足型遗传算法以条件形式将约束嵌入到遗传算法中,并在算法中特别设计了冲突消除算子以解决任务冲突问题。仿真结果证明了该方法在解决移动目标卫星任务规划问题上具有优良的效率,并获得了很高的观测精度。     

CubeSats detumbling using only embedded asymmetric magnetorquers

After deployment from a rocket, a CubeSat is detumbled using magnetorquer rods bringing the norm to the point where the reaction wheels take over to reduce the angular velocity to null. Therefore, utilizing reaction wheels for satellite detumbling at higher initial velocities is vital but they are heavy and occupy significant space on a spacecraft having challenging control. To address this challenge, this paper features a disruptive approach that conducts the control only by the PCB-integrated magnetorquers with various geometries using a diverse non-unity track width ratio. The trace widths are parametrized such that the optimal torque to power dissipation ratio is investigated. The optimizations are then simulated for various geometric distributions and validated through comprehensive measurement setups that establish a framework for selecting the best-case coil configuration according to mission requirements. The detumbling rates of multiple asymmetric coil configurations are compared with the embedded designs in published literature and state of the art. It is found that the proposed asymmetric embedded magnetorquers can detumble the vehicle at high initial angular velocities. Lastly, the simulation results of thermal analysis are validated for selecting the application-specific optimal coils configuration. At the end, the proposed system is compared with the embedded magnetorquers available in the literature and commercial attitude control systems.     

Towards the automated operations of large distributed satellite systems. Part 2: Classifications and tools

Recent developments have seen a trend towards larger constellations of spacecraft, with some proposals featuring constellations of more than 10.000 satellites. While similar concepts for large constellations already existed in the past, traditional satellite deployments hardly ever feature groups of more than 100 satellites. This trend towards considerably larger satellite numbers originates from non-traditional design and operations of spacecraft by non-traditional space companies. The evolution in the space sector, precipitated by new players, is often referred to as “Space 4.0” or “New Space”. It necessitates a rethinking of the way satellites and satellite constellations are planned, designed, and operated. New operational paradigms are needed to enable automatic, optimal task definition, and scheduling in a holistic approach.This is the second of two companion papers that investigate the operations of distributed satellite systems. This second article investigates the classification of distributed satellite systems and evaluates commercial tools for automated spacecraft operations, whereas the first article performed a survey of conventional and “new space”operations of spacecraft constellations.Classification metrics for constellations are derived and evaluated with respect to their informative value concerning the operation, the automation, and the scalability of the constellation. The proposed classification system is applied to the Dove and RapidEye constellation and allows for a comparison between the presented automation approaches. Commercial tools for automated spacecraft operations are evaluated for several mission task elements, such as orbit control, orbit maintenance, and collision avoidance. Subsequently, the trends, benefits, and standardization needs for operational automation are identified.     

The future role of relay satellites for orbital telerobotics

Orbital robotics focuses on a variety of applications, as e.g. inspection and repair activities, spacecraft construction or orbit corrections. On-Orbit Servicing (OOS) activities have to be closely monitored by operators on ground. A direct contact to the spacecraft in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is limiting the operational time of the robotic application. Therefore, geostationary satellites are desirable to relay the OOS signals and extend the servicing time window. A geostationary satellite in the communication chain not only introduces additional boundary conditions to the mission but also increases the time delay in the system. The latter is not very critical if the servicer satellite is operating autonomously. However, if the servicer is operating in a supervised control regime with a human in the loop, the increased time delay will have an impact on the operator’s task performance.     

MELISSA: global control strategy of the artificial ecosystem by using first principles models of the compartments.

MELISSA is a micro-organisms based ecosystem conceived as a tool for understanding the behaviour of artificial ecosystems, and developing the technology for a future biological life support system for long term space mission. The driving element of MELISSA is the recovering of oxygen and edible biomass from waste (faeces, urea). Due to its intrinsic instability and the safety requirements of manned missions, an important control strategy is developed to pilot this system and to optimize its recycling performance. This is a hierarchical control strategy. Each MELISSA compartment has its local control system, and taking into account the states of other compartments and a global desired functioning point, the upper level determines the setpoints for each compartment. The developed approach is based on first principles models of each compartment (physico chemical equations, stoichiometries, kinetic rates, ...). Those models are used to develop a global simulator of the system (in order to study the global functioning). They are also used in the control strategy, which is a non linear predictive model based strategy. This paper presents the general approach of the control strategy of the loop from the compartment level up to the overall loop. At the end, some simulation and experimental results are presented.     

空间立体信息缺失对机械臂遥操作任务的影响

视觉作为人认知环境的主要信息通道,在空间遥操作任务中有极其重要的作用。本研究面向空间站机械臂遥操作任务,通过对24名被试进行机械臂遥操作模拟平台实验,探索不同程度空间立体信息缺失对机械臂遥操作绩效、脑力负荷、距离感知和情境意识的影响,剖析不同立体信息在遥操作过程中的作用。实验结果表明:局部立体信息对提高遥操作任务完成率、减少撞击操作等指标有重要作用;而全局立体信息更有利于减少机械臂冗余行走距离和限位操作次数;两者对脑力负荷水平的降低有显著影响,而对距离估计偏差和情境意识水平影响不显著。因此,根据不同任务类型选取合适的立体信息补偿,从多个角度完善立体信息的呈现对于保障遥操作任务的顺利进行具有重要意义。     

环月轨道交会的载人登月任务轨道与窗口规划

针对环月轨道(Low Lunar Orbit,LLO)共面交会支持的"人货分离"载人登月任务,提出了一种任务窗口与轨道一体化规划方法。分析了基于LLO共面交会的"人货分离"载人登月任务的基本流程和工程约束;针对任务各阶段窗口与轨道求解问题,提出了以动力下降时刻为迭代初值的窗口规划策略,并建立了高精度模型下的环月轨道、双二体模型下的人员和货物运输轨道规划模型。以载人月球探测中国科学家命名的环形山为假想背景,给出仿真实例,仿真结果验证了文章所提方法的正确性,为探月工程任务提供了一种有效的窗口与轨道设计工具。     

基于模型预测控制的多约束火星精确着陆制导律研究

主要研究了火星着陆动力下降段考虑燃料消耗和实际任务约束条件的制导律设计问题。选取可变推力发动机作为执行机构,首先建立了着陆器在动力下降段的运动方程及质量变化方程;其次对实际任务中需要考虑的斜坡、推力幅值和方向等约束条件建立了约束模型;接下来通过构造由控制量和状态量构成的性能指标,提出一种基于模型预测控制的多约束火星精确着陆制导算法。可实现多种约束条件下的指标最优精确着陆任务。最后,通过数值仿真对比了本文与已有典型着陆策略,验证了所提算法可以在满足约束条件的前提下有效地完成既定火星精确着陆任务。     

椭圆轨道卫星空间任意位置悬停的方法

对任务星施加持续的控制加速度,使其在飞行过程中相对于目标卫星的空间位置保持不变,即实现任意位置悬停飞行。通过对任务星与目标星的相对运行分析和重力差异补偿分析,给出了在飞行过程中任务星相对于运行在椭圆轨道上的目标星实现任意位置悬停所需的径向、切向和法向控制加速度公式。最后对典型悬停飞行过程进行了动力学仿真,并对不同悬停飞行任务的能量消耗进行了对比分析,表明在一段时间内对任务星进行轨道悬停是可行的。     

小型控制力矩陀螺扰动建模及性能指标分析

为实现遥感卫星的高精度指向能力,对遥感卫星星上常用执行机构控制力矩陀螺扰动及性能指标评定进行了研究。首先,充分考虑小型控制力矩陀螺的静动不平衡量以及框架轴的安装误差,根据动量定理和动量矩定理建立了完整的星载小型控制力矩陀螺的动力学模型,并对所建立模型的正确性进行了理论分析和仿真验证;其次,将含有扰动特性的小型控制力矩陀螺应用到星上,建立了整星动力学模型,并选用合适的框架伺服控制系统和转子伺服控制系统,完成整星的姿态稳定控制任务;最后,采用数值仿真的方式分析了陀螺转子静动不平衡因素以及框架角测量误差对星体姿态精度和稳定度带来的影响。结合任务要求,对小型控制力矩陀螺设计提出静动不平衡量等指标要求,以期使其满足星上光学有效载荷的成像要求。     

Simulation of the MELiSSA closed loop system as a tool to define its integration strategy

Inspired by a terrestrial ecosystem, Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELiSSA) is a project focused on a closed-loop life support system intended for future long-term manned missions (Moon and Mars bases). Started by the ESA in 1989, this 5-compartment concept has evolved through a mechanistic engineering approach designed to acquire both theoretical and technical knowledge. In its current state of development, the project can now start to demonstrate the MELiSSA loop concept at pilot scale. Thus, an integration strategy for a MELiSSA Pilot Plant (MPP) has been defined, describing the different test phases and connections between compartments. The integration steps are due to be started in 2008 and completed with a complete operational loop in 2015. The ultimate objective is to achieve a closed liquid and gas loop fulfiling 100% of oxygen requirements and at least 20% of food requirements for one-man. Although the integration logic could start with the most advanced processes in terms of knowledge and hardware development, this logic needs to be expanded to encompass a high-level simulation policy. This simulation exercise will make it possible to run effective demonstrations of each independent process, followed by progressive coupling with other processes in operational conditions mirroring as far as possible the final configuration.     

小天体探测自主绕飞智能规划建模

针对小天体探测存在显著通讯延迟、任务执行效率低等问题,梳理了小天体探测智能规划需求,面向自主绕飞任务开展了智能规划研究。首先将该问题分解为平台任务智能规划和载荷任务智能规划两部分。针对平台任务智能规划问题,基于PDDL语言设计了探测器自主管理知识模型,提出了基于状态时间线扩展的求解算法;针对任务智能规划问题,建立了基于CSP问题的智能规划数学模型,提出了基于遗传策略的求解算法。最后开发了仿真系统进行算法验证。仿真结果表明:该方法可综合平台与载荷需求,在存储、能源、通信等多种约束条件下,对绕飞探测任务进行统一的任务规划,并得到指令序列和动作序列,能够提高任务管控的智能化程度,降低任务操作的复杂性。