Multi-UAV reconnaissance task allocation for heterogeneous targets using an opposition-based genetic algorithm with double-chromosome encoding

This paper presents a novel multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) reconnaissance task allocation model for heterogeneous targets and an effective genetic algorithm to optimize UAVs’ task sequence. Heterogeneous targets are classified into point targets, line targets and area targets according to features of target geometry and sensor’s field of view. Each UAV is regarded as a Dubins vehicle to consider the kinematic constraints. And the objective of task allocation is to minimize the task execution time and UAVs’ total consumptions. Then, multi-UAV reconnaissance task allocation is formulated as an extended Multiple Dubins Travelling Salesmen Problem (MDTSP), where visit paths to the heterogeneous targets must meet specific constraints due to the targets’ feature. As a complex combinatorial optimization problem, the dimensions of MDTSP are further increased due to the heterogeneity of targets. To efficiently solve this computationally expensive problem, the Opposition-based Genetic Algorithm using Double-chromosomes Encoding and Multiple Mutation Operators (OGA-DEMMO) is developed to improve the population variety for enhancing the global exploration capability. The simulation results demonstrate that OGA-DEMMO outperforms the ordinary genetic algorithm, ant colony optimization and random search in terms of optimality of the allocation results, especially for large scale reconnaissance task allocation problems.     

Cooperative task assignment of multiple heterogeneous unmanned aerial vehicles using a modified genetic algorithm with multi-type genes

The task assignment problem of multiple heterogeneous unmanned aerial vehicles （UAVs）, concerned with cooperative decision making and control, is studied in this paper. The heterogeneous vehicles have different operational capabilities and kinematic constraints, and carry limited resources （e.g., weapons） onboard. They are designated to perform multiple consecutive tasks cooperatively on multiple ground targets. The problem becomes much more complicated because of these terms of heterogeneity. In order to tackle the challenge, we modify the former genetic algorithm with multi-type genes to stochastically search a best solution. Genes of chromo- somes are different, and they are assorted into several types according to the tasks that must be performed on targets. Different types of genes are processed specifically in the improved genetic operators including initialization, crossover, and mutation. We also present a mirror representation of vehicles to deal with the limited resource constraint. Feasible chromosomes that vehicles could perform tasks using their limited resources under the assignment are created and evolved by genetic operators. The effect of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated in numerical simulations. The results show that it effectively provides good feasible solutions and finds an optimal one.     

考虑协同航路规划的多无人机任务分配

针对多无人机任务分配与协同航路规划问题，以分布式合同网拍卖算法为基础，构建无人机集群任务拍卖架构与拍卖收益函数，结合模拟退火算法协调任务执行次序，采用A^*算法完成两任务点间航程预估，在任务分配阶段同步完成多无人机间协同航路的初规划，确定最佳任务执行次序，实现任务分配与协同航路规划的紧耦合。仿真结果表明，在考虑禁飞区、障碍威胁情况下，该算法能够有效完成多架无人机不同类型任务的分配，且目标分配、执行次序合理，总执行代价小，各机间负载均衡；在任务分配阶段考虑协同航路规划具有明显的效果，能够有效提高任务分配的合理性。     

多基地多无人机协同侦察问题研究

 充分考虑侦察目标的侦察分辨率要求和侦察时间窗约束,以及位于不同基地的无人机(UAV)的侦察性能和可用数目,首次建立了更加贴近军事应用实际的多基地多UAV协同侦察问题(M-MUCRP)的数学模型,并提出了解决该模型的多基地多UAV协同侦察进化算法(M-MUCREA)。M-MUCREA的染色体数据结构有效地表达了问题的解,有利于交叉、变异等进化操作;充分利用与目标侦察分辨率要求以及目标位置和时间窗约束相关的启发信息,构造初始种群,避免进化过程收敛太慢;基于Pareto最优概念的选择算子确保解在多个目标上的有效优化;精英策略避免了丢失进化过程中产生的非劣解,加快算法收敛;变异和交叉算子在保证有效解的前提下,实现了解的多样性,避免了算法陷入局部最优。仿真实验验证了算法能够有效解决M-MUCRP。     

多无人机协同覆盖路径规划

多无人机协同覆盖路径规划(CPP)由于其并行性和容错能力,对于提高无人机完成侦察、监视、搜索等任务的效率具有重要意义。提出了一种基于无人机任务性能评价和任务区域划分的多无人机协同CPP算法。定量分析了无人机执行覆盖任务的能力,根据无人机及携带成像传感器的性能给出了计算无人机任务性能指数的数学公式;提出了一种基于任务性能和子区域宽度的任务区域划分算法,使无人机的总转弯次数达到最少。仿真结果表明,所提出的CPP算法能够规划出全局最优的多无人机协同覆盖路径。     

多架无人机协同航路规划方法研究

根据敌方防御区域内雷达，导弹等威胁阵地的具体分布情况，采用划分Voronoi多边形的方法制订初始航路，然后对初始航路进行了合理的离散处理，最后采用动态链类比法调整航路，航程并对航路进行光顺处理，提出了一种协调多架无人机（UAVs）于同一时间到达目标点的航路规划方法，用数字仿真技术对该方法进行了验证，结果表明该方法是可行的。     

An intelligent target detection method of UAV swarms based on improved KM algorithm

Complete and efficient detection of unknown targets is the most popular application of UAV swarms. Under most situations, targets have directional characteristics so that they can only be successfully detected within specific angles. In such cases, how to coordinate UAVs and allocate optimal paths for them to efficiently detect all the targets is the primary issue to be solved. In this paper, an intelligent target detection method is proposed for UAV swarms to achieve real-time detection requirements. First, a target-feature-information-based disintegration method is built up to divide the search space into a set of cubes. Theoretically, when the cubes are traversed, all the targets can be detected. Then, a Kuhn-Munkres (KM)-algorithm-based path planning method is proposed for UAVs to traverse the cubes. Finally, to further improve search efficiency, a 3D real-time probability map is established over the search space which estimates the possibility of detecting new targets at each point. This map is adopted to modify the weights in KM algorithm, thereby optimizing the UAVs’ paths during the search process. Simulation results show that with the proposed method, all targets, with detection angle limitations, can be found by UAVs. Moreover, by implementing the 3D probability map, the search efficiency is improved by 23.4%–78.1%.     

多无人机同时到达的分散化控制方法

多无人机(UAV)同时到达是典型的协同控制问题,在编队飞行、协同攻击中都有应用。以多无人机协同多目标攻击为应用背景,对多无人机同时到达问题进行了研究。考虑到战场环境的动态性和不确定性以及无人机自身的特点,提出一种适用于多无人机同时到达的分散化控制方法,其内容包括仅依靠局部信息交互的分散化控制结构和基于一致性算法的分散化控制策略。为方便操作员控制无人机群体的整体行为,分别设计了引入外部参考信号和虚拟Leader的分散化控制策略。根据路径规划和速度控制的不同特点将二者结合起来,利用它们的互补优势来应对路径误差和突发威胁等不利因素的影响。仿真结果表明,本文提出的分散化控制方法能够实现多无人机同时到达,并且具有很好的灵活性、鲁棒性、可靠性和可伸缩性。     

Search using multiple UAVs with flight time constraints

We consider a large scale system consisting of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) performing a search and surveillance task, based on the uncertainty map of an unknown region. The search algorithm is based on the k-shortest path algorithm that maximizes the effectiveness of the search in term of searching through the maximum uncertainty region, given a constraint on the endurance time of the UAV and on the location of the base station from which the UAVs operate. These constraints set apart this class of problems from the usual search and surveillance problems. We compare the performance of this algorithm with a random search and a greedy strategy search, We also implement the algorithm for the case of multiple UAVs searching an unknown region. The cases of delayed and partial information are also considered. Simulation results that demonstrate the efficacy of the technique are also presented.     

A class of near optimal JPDA algorithms

The crucial problem in multiple target tracking is the hit-to-track data association. A hit is a received signal from a target or background clutter which provides positional information If an incorrect hit is associated with a track, that track could diverge and prematurely terminate or cause other tracks to also diverge. Most methods for hit-to-track data association fall into two categories: multiple hypothesis tracking (MHT) and joint probabilistic data association (JPDA). Versions of MHT use all or some reasonable hits to update a track and delay the decision on which hit was correct. JPDA uses a weighted sum of the reasonable hits to update a track. These weights are the probability that the hit originated from the target in track. The computational load for the joint probabilities increases exponentially as the number of targets increases and therefore, is not an attractive algorithm when expecting to track many targets. Reviewed here is the JPDA filter and two simple approximations of the joint probabilities which increase linearly in computational load as the number of targets increase. Then a new class of near optimal JPDA algorithms is introduced which run in polynomial time. The power of the polynomial is an input to the algorithm. This algorithm bridges the gap in computational load and accuracy between the very fast simple approximations and the efficient optimal algorithms     

Optimization of multiframe target detection schemes

We optimize the performance of multiframe target detection (MFTD) schemes under extended Neyman-Pearson (NP) criteria. Beyond the per-track detection performance for a specific target path in conventional MFTD studies, we optimize the overall detection performance which is averaged over all the potential target paths. It is shown that the overall MFTD performance is limited by the mobility of a target and also that optimality of MFTD performance depends on how fully one ran exploit the information about the target dynamics. We assume a single target situation and then present systematic optimization by formulating the MFTD problems as binary composite hypotheses testing problems. The resulting optimal solutions suggest computationally efficient implementation algorithms which are similar to the Viterbi algorithm for trellis search. The optimal performances for some typical types of target dynamics are evaluated via Monte-Carlo simulation     

Adaptive path planning for unmanned aerial vehicles based on bi-level programming and variable planning time interval

This paper presents an adaptive path planner for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to adapt a real-time path search procedure to variations and fluctuations of UAVs’ relevant performances, with respect to sensory capability, maneuverability, and flight velocity limit. On the basis of a novel adaptability-involved problem statement, bi-level programming (BLP) and variable planning step techniques are introduced to model the necessary path planning components and then an adaptive path planner is developed for the purpose of adaptation and optimization. Additionally, both probabilistic-risk-based obstacle avoidance and performance limits are described as path search constraints to guarantee path safety and navigability. A discrete-search-based path planning solution, embedded with four optimization strategies, is especially designed for the planner to efficiently generate optimal flight paths in complex operational spaces, within which different surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) are deployed. Simulation results in challenging and stochastic scenarios firstly demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed planner, and then verify its great adaptability and relative stability when planning optimal paths for a UAV with changing or fluctuating performances.     

基于改进多元优化算法的动态路径规划

为满足动态路径规划实时性强和动态跟踪精度高的需求,提出一种基于能够同时发现并追踪多条最优以及次优路径的改进多元优化算法(IMOA)的求解方法。首先,通过利用贝赛尔曲线描述路径的方法把动态路径规划问题转化为动态优化问题;然后,把相似性检测操作引入到多元优化算法(MOA)中,增加算法同时跟踪多个不同最优以及次优解的概率;最后,用IMOA对贝赛尔曲线的控制点进行寻优。实验结果表明:当最优路径由于环境变化而变为非优或者不可行时,利用IMOA对多个最优以及次优解动态跟踪的特点,能够快速调整寻优策略对其他次优路径进行寻优以期望再次找到最优路径;其综合离线性能较其他方法也有一定的提高。因此,IMOA满足动态路径规划的实际需求,适用于解决动态环境中的路径规划问题。     

多架无人机的协同攻击航路规划

针对多架无人机协同攻击同一目标问题,提出了一种航路规划方法.首先根据已知的导弹、雷达等威胁的位置,通过Voronoi图建立初始进入航路,并利用B样条曲线修正初始航路产生无人机可飞航路,然后对多架无人机的航路进行协同修正以满足协同攻击要求.最后对无人机的退出航路规划进行了研究分析,并结合具体问题进行了仿真检验.     

多无人机协同航迹规划技术研究

多无人机协同航迹规划是多无人机协同控制的重要组成部分。多无人机协同航迹规划能得到满足安全性、协同性和任务要求的较优航迹,这对提高无人机系统性能有重要的意义。介绍了多无人机协同航迹规划的问题描述和求解结构,总结了在协同规划问题中的约束条件和航迹协调方法,着重阐述了几种在多无人机编队中常用的控制方法。在此基础上,对未来可能的研究方向进行了展望。     

Addressing Uncertainty in UAV Navigation Decision-Making

We present an analytic framework for modeling and measuring uncertainty for the scenario of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) cooperatively searching for a moving target. Uncertainty exists in a UAVs assessment of teammate locations, target locations, and sensor results. As is frequently done, our framework employs probabilistic maps to represent uncertain information regarding the UAVs environment. We present new methods to update the probabilistic maps when information arrives from onboard sensors or teammate UAVs. When new information is missing or delayed, we propose a novel and straightforward diffusion approach to update probabilistic maps. The UAVs make navigation decisions based on response to potential fields generated by the probabilistic maps. Since map data have uncertainty, this leads to decision-making in uncertainty. We conclude by describing how uncertainty in the environment translates into a unique measure, velocity vector dispersion (D_V), which describes the uncertainty in the UAVs navigation decision. Thresholds related to D_V may be useful to guide real-time decision policies. We present simulation results that show how the use of diffusion affects the time to locate targets. We also describe how D_V varies during UAV flight and comment on its utility.     

Efficient algorithms for finding the K best paths througha trellis

A set of algorithms is presented for finding the best set of K mutually exclusive paths through a trellis of N nodes, with worst-case computation time bounded by N³log n for a fixed-precision computation. The algorithms are based on a transformation of the K-path trellis problem into an equivalent minimum-cost network flow (MCNF) problem. The approach allows the application of efficient MCNF algorithms, which can obtain optimal solutions orders of magnitude faster than the algorithm proposed by J.K. Wolf et al. (1989). The resulting algorithms extend the practicality of the trellis formulation (in terms of required computations) to multiobject tracking problems with much larger numbers of targets and false alarms. A response by Wolf et al. is included     

A hybrid genetic approach for airborne sensor vehicle routing in real-time reconnaissance missions

Past initiatives to address surveillance and reconnaissance mission planning mainly focused on low-level control aspects such as real-time path planning and collision avoidance algorithms in limited environment. However, few efforts have been spent on high-level real-time task allocation. It is believed that automated decision capabilities supporting real-time resource allocation for sensor control and interactions might significantly reduce user workload, focusing attention on alternate tasks and objectives while assigning hard computational tasks to artificial agents. In this paper, we propose a new hybrid genetic algorithm to solve the dynamic vehicle routing problem with time windows, in which a group of airborne sensors are engaged in a reconnaissance mission evolving in a dynamic uncertain environment involving known and unknown targets/threats. In that context, visiting a target may consist in carrying out a collection of subtasks such as search, detect, recognize and confirm suspected targets, discover and confirm new ones. The approach consists in concurrently evolving two populations of solutions to minimize total travel time and temporal constraint violation using genetic operators combining variations of key concepts inspired from routing techniques and search strategies. A least commitment principle in servicing scheduled customers is also exploited to potentially improve solution quality.     

A data driven approach for detection and isolation of anomalies in a group of UAVs

The use of groups of unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs) has greatly expanded UAV’s capabilities in a variety of applications, such as surveillance, searching and mapping. As the UAVs are operated as a team, it is important to detect and isolate the occurrence of anomalous aircraft in order to avoid collisions and other risks that would affect the safety of the team. In this paper, we present a data-driven approach to detect and isolate abnormal aircraft within a team of formatted flying aerial vehicles, which removes the requirements for the prior knowledge of the underlying dynamic model in conventional model-based fault detection algorithms. Based on the assumption that normal behaviored UAVs should share similar(dynamic) model parameters, we propose to firstly identify the model parameters for each aircraft of the team based on a sequence of input and output data pairs, and this is achieved by a novel sparse optimization technique. The fault states of the UAVs would be detected and isolated in the second step by identifying the change of model parameters.Simulation results have demonstrated the efficiency and flexibility of the proposed approach.     

重访机制驱动的多无人机协同动目标搜索方法

为实现多无人机高效捕获灰色任务区域内的移动目标,考虑传感器探测概率与虚警概率,提出了重访机制驱动的协同搜索规划（RMD-CSP）方法,以降低目标遗漏与误判概率。考虑无人机飞行性能约束,以最大化任务执行效能为目标建立多无人机协同搜索模型。根据目标先验信息初始化环境搜索信息图（包括目标概率分布图、环境不确定度图与环境搜索状态图）,利用无人机实时探测信息,基于贝叶斯准则持续更新搜索信息图。定制基于环境不确定度更新的重访机制,通过增加长时间未被重访区域的环境不确定度,引导无人机搜索该区域,降低移动目标的遗漏概率;定制基于目标函数权重更新的重访机制,引导无人机快速重访发现新的疑似目标的区域,对疑似目标进行再次确认,减少由于传感器虚警概率造成的目标误判概率。采用滚动时域规划架构,将搜索规划问题分解为一系列短时域规划问题,提升了求解效率。在典型任务想定下,通过数值仿真试验验证了所提方法的有效性。仿真结果表明,RMD-CSP能够在秒级时间内生成每个时域的搜索航迹,相比于光栅式搜索方法与标准的概率启发式搜索方法,能够引导无人机捕获更多的移动目标,同时减少误判次数,有效提升了多无人机协同搜索的任务效能。