Target localization method of non-cooperative spacecraft on on-orbit service

With the explosion of the number of meteoroid/orbital debris in terrestrial space in recent years, the detection environment of spacecraft becomes more complex. This phenomenon causes most current detection methods based on machine learning intractable to break through the two difficulties of solving scale transformation problem of the targets in image and accelerating detection rate of high-resolution images. To overcome the two challenges, we propose a novel non-cooperative target detection method using the framework of deep convolutional neural network.Firstly, a specific spacecraft simulation dataset using over one thousand images to train and test our detection model is built. The deep separable convolution structure is applied and combined with the residual network module to improve the network’s backbone. To count the different shapes of the spacecrafts in the dataset, a particular prior-box generation method based on K-means cluster algorithm is designed for each detection head with different scales. Finally, a comprehensive loss function is presented considering category confidence, box parameters, as well as box confidence. The experimental results verify that the proposed method has strong robustness against varying degrees of luminance change, and can suppress the interference caused by Gaussian noise and background complexity. The mean accuracy precision of our proposed method reaches 93.28%, and the global loss value is 13.252. The comparative experiment results show that under the same epoch and batchsize, the speed of our method is compressed by about 20% in comparison of YOLOv3, the detection accuracy is increased by about 12%, and the size of the model is reduced by nearly 50%.     

Enhanced ultrasonic total focusing imaging of CFRP corner with ray theory-based homogenization technique

Ultrasonic testing is effective in defect characterization and quality assurance of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) components in the aerospace industry. Due to the coupling between complex shape and elastic anisotropy, the Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) and time-based Total Focusing Method (TFM) face significant challenges in the calculation of wave propagation. A wave velocity distribution model is established for a multidirectional convex corner of CFRP based on a homogenization theory and the above coupling effects are also incorporated. A ray-tracing method is proposed based on Dijkstra’s shortest path search algorithm. The predicted time of flight ensures that this technique, the homogenized TFM, could synthesize a high-quality focused image by post-processing on the full matrix capture data. Experiments on a laminate with three ?1.5 mm Side-Drilled Holes (SDHs) in different circumferential directions confirm a successful homogenized TFM imaging that all SDHs can be effectively detected. As compared to the isotropic scenario, the maximum positioning error is reduced to 0.12, 0.08, and 0.38 mm, and the Signal-to-Noise Ratios (SNRs) are increased by 2.1, 1.1, and 11.8 dB, respectively. It is suggested that the ray-tracing assisted TFM technique can effectively improve the imaging of corners in CFRP components.     

A trajectory planning method on error compensation of residual height for aero-engine blades of robotic belt grinding

While the traditional trajectory planning methods are used in robotic belt grinding of blades with an uneven machining allowance distribution, it is hard to obtain the preferable profile accuracy and surface quality to meet the high-performance requirements of aero-engine. To solve this problem, a novel trajectory planning method is proposed in this paper by considering the developed interpolation algorithm and the machining allowance threshold. The residual height error obtained from grinding e...     

Performance improvement of licklider transmission protocol in complex deep space networks based on parameter optimization

A reasonable parameter configuration helps improve the data transmission performance of the Licklider Transmission Protocol (LTP). Previous research has focused mainly on parameter optimization for LTP in simplified scenarios with one to two hops or multihop scenarios with a custody mechanism of the Bundle Protocol (BP). However, the research results are not applicable to communications in Complex Deep Space Networks (CDSNs) without the custody mechanism of BP that are more suitable for deep space communications with LTP. In this paper, we propose a model of file delivery time for LTP in CDSNs. Based on the model, we propose a Parameter Optimization Design Algorithm for LTP (LTP-PODA) of configuring reasonable parameters for LTP. The results show that the accuracy of the proposed model is at least 6.47% higher than that of the previously established models based on simple scenarios, and the proposed model is more suitable for CDSNs. Moreover, the LTP parameters are optimized by the LTP-PODA algorithm to obtain an optimization plan. Configuring the optimization plan for LTP improves the protocol transmission performance by at least 18.77% compared with configuring the other parameter configuration plans.     

基于深度强化学习的复杂地形适应机器人设计与实验

针对行星表面轻量化自主探测任务，基于仿生思想设计了一种仿海胆结构的十二足球形机器人，其具备自主改变构型以贴合复杂地形的能力，可实现无倾覆、高容错的全向运动；基于数据驱动方法，对该机器人设计了一种数据高效的无模型强化学习运动策略，可实现无先验知识的从0到1步态训练以及步态的实物样机快速部署。通过在平面地形和非结构化地形中对其进行仿真实验，验证了经过训练的机器人具备自主运动、适应非结构地形等能力；通过与常用基准策略进行对比，证实了本文提出的运动策略具有训练高效、鲁棒性好的优势；最后通过开发原理样机，开展实物实验验证了仿真环境中所生成的步态在真实物理环境中的动力学可行性。     

Vulnerability analysis of the Chinese coupled aviation and high-speed railway network

The integrated aviation and High-Speed Railway (HSR) transportation system plays a vital role for today’s inter-city transportation services. However, an increasing number of unexpected disruptions (such as operation failures, natural disasters, or intentional attacks) pose a considerable threat to the normal operation of the system, especially on ground transfer, leading to the extensive research on its vulnerability. Previous approaches mainly focus on interruptions within a single transportation mode, neglecting the role of ground transfer which serves as a coupled connection between aviation and High-Speed Railway. This paper proposes a network-based framework for evaluating the vulnerability of the Chinese Coupled Aviation and High-Speed Railway (CAHSR) network from the viewpoint of ground transfer interruption. Taking the end-to-end travel time and passenger flow information into consideration as an evaluation measure and analyzing from the perspective of urban agglomerations, an adaptive method is developed to identify the critical cities and further investigate their failure impacts on the geographic distribution of vulnerability. In addition, the proposed model explores variations of vulnerability under different failure time intervals. Based on the empirical study, some major conclusions are highlighted as follows: (A) Only a few cities show significant impacts on the network’s vulnerability when ground transfer interruptions occurred. (B) The distribution of vulnerability is not proportional to the distance between failure city and influenced city. (C) The vulnerability is more serious in the morning and evening when the ground transfer is disconnected. Our findings may provide new insights for maintenance and optimization of the CAHSR network and other real-world transportation networks.     

Collaborative manufacturing technologies of structure shape and surface integrity for complex thin-walled components of aero-engine: Status,challenge and tendency

Presently, the service performance of new-generation high-tech equipment is directly affected by the manufacturing quality of complex thin-walled components. A high-efficiency and quality manufacturing of these complex thin-walled components creates a bottleneck that needs to be solved urgently in machinery manufacturing. To address this problem, the collaborative manufacturing of structure shape and surface integrity has emerged as a new process that can shorten processing cycles, improve machining qualities, and reduce costs. This paper summarises the research status on the material removal mechanism, precision control of structure shape, machined surface integrity control and intelligent process control technology of complex thin-walled components. Numerous solutions and technical approaches are then put forward to solve the critical problems in the high-performance manufacturing of complex thin-wall components. The development status, challenge and tendency of collaborative manufacturing technologies in the high-efficiency and quality manufacturing of complex thin-wall components is also discussed.