Scheduling algorithms for rapid imaging using agile Cubesat constellations

Distributed Space Missions such as formation flight and constellations, are being recognized as important Earth Observation solutions to increase measurement samples over space and time. Cubesats are increasing in size (27U, ～40?kg in development) with increasing capabilities to host imager payloads. Given the precise attitude control systems emerging in the commercial market, Cubesats now have the ability to slew and capture images within short notice. We propose a modular framework that combines orbital mechanics, attitude control and scheduling optimization to plan the time-varying, full-body orientation of agile Cubesats in a constellation such that they maximize the number of observed images and observation time, within the constraints of Cubesat hardware specifications. The attitude control strategy combines bang-bang and PD control, with constraints such as power consumption, response time, and stability factored into the optimality computations and a possible extension to PID control to account for disturbances. Schedule optimization is performed using dynamic programming with two levels of heuristics, verified and improved upon using mixed integer linear programming. The automated scheduler is expected to run on ground station resources and the resultant schedules uplinked to the satellites for execution, however it can be adapted for onboard scheduling, contingent on Cubesat hardware and software upgrades. The framework is generalizable over small steerable spacecraft, sensor specifications, imaging objectives and regions of interest, and is demonstrated using multiple 20?kg satellites in Low Earth Orbit for two case studies – rapid imaging of Landsat’s land and coastal images and extended imaging of global, warm water coral reefs. The proposed algorithm captures up to 161% more Landsat images than nadir-pointing sensors with the same field of view, on a 2-satellite constellation over a 12-h simulation. Integer programming was able to verify that optimality of the dynamic programming solution for single satellites was within 10%, and find up to 5% more optimal solutions. The optimality gap for constellations was found to be 22% at worst, but the dynamic programming schedules were found at nearly four orders of magnitude better computational speed than integer programming. The algorithm can include cloud cover predictions, ground downlink windows or any other spatial, temporal or angular constraints into the orbital module and be integrated into planning tools for agile constellations.     

谐振式陀螺全角模式误差来源与接口技术

全角模式是谐振式陀螺的新型接口技术，具有直接测量角度、动态范围大的优点，但其对陀螺元器件对称性要求极高的缺点限制了它的实际应用。首先，从谐振式陀螺全角模式的原理出发，讨论了各种不理想因素对全角模式运行造成的问题。然后，从器件设计和控制系统两方面出发，讨论了可行的技术路线。最后，通过数值仿真的方法证明了理论分析的正确性，并给出了谐振式陀螺的选型和控制系统的建议。     

Erosion degradation characteristics of a linear electro-hydrostatic actuator under a high-frequency turbulent flow field

The paper proposes a performance degradation analysis model based on dynamic erosion wear for a novel Linear Electro-Hydrostatic Actuator (LEHA). Rather than the traditional statistical methods based on degradation data, the method proposed in this paper firstly analyzes the dominant progressive failure mode of the LEHA based on the working principle and working conditions of the LEHA. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method, combining the turbulent theory and the micro erosion principle, is used to establish an erosion model of the rectification mechanism. The erosion rates for different port openings, under a time-varying flow field, are obtained. The piecewise linearization method is applied to update the concentration of contaminated particles within the LEHA, in order to gain insight into the erosion degradation process at various stages of degradation. The main contribution of the proposed model is the application of the dynamic concentration of contamination particles in erosion analysis of Electro-Hydraulic Servo Valves (EHSVs), throttle valves, spool valves, and needle valves. The effects of system parameters and working conditions on component wear are analyzed by simulations. The results of the proposed model match the expected degradation process.     

ITRS/GCRS transformation: Uncertainty propagation analysis and short-term modelling of IAU 2006/2000A developments

A study of the uncertainty propagation in ITRS/GCRS transformation is presented in this work. General law of propagation of variances is applied to the ITRS/GCRS transformation matrix, deriving the analytical expressions to compute GCRS position uncertainty. This evaluation is based on EOP uncertainties provided by IERS long-term series and formal uncertainties of ITRS-compatible coordinates. Numerical results for the period 1998–2016 are shown and discussed for ITRS positions in different altitudes and latitudes, providing graphical and numerical insights of the mapping of EOP uncertainties to transformed coordinates.Eventually, an analysis of short-term evolution of the Celestial Intermediate Pole coordinates in the GCRS provided by the IAU2006/2000A precession-nutation model is carried out, in order to assess the feasibility to potentially broadcast these parameters in GNSS navigation message. This approach would facilitate the dissemination of terrestrial-celestial transformation parameters for real time users, given that polar motion and UT1-UTC are already foreseen in GPS interface specification. The results presented in this work confirm the feasibility of this idea.     

Exploration life support technology challenges for the Crew Exploration Vehicle and future human missions

As NASA implements the U.S. Space Exploration Policy, life support systems must be provided for an expanding sequence of exploration missions. NASA has implemented effective life support for Apollo, the Space Shuttle, and the International Space Station (ISS) and continues to develop advanced systems. This paper provides an overview of life support requirements, previously implemented systems, and new technologies being developed by the Exploration Life Support Project for the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) and Lunar Outpost and future Mars missions. The two contrasting practical approaches to providing space life support are (1) open loop direct supply of atmosphere, water, and food, and (2) physicochemical regeneration of air and water with direct supply of food. Open loop direct supply of air and water is cost effective for short missions, but recycling oxygen and water saves costly launch mass on longer missions. Because of the short CEV mission durations, the CEV life support system will be open loop as in Apollo and Space Shuttle. New life support technologies for CEV that address identified shortcomings of existing systems are discussed. Because both ISS and Lunar Outpost have a planned 10-year operational life, the Lunar Outpost life support system should be regenerative like that for ISS and it could utilize technologies similar to ISS. The Lunar Outpost life support system, however, should be extensively redesigned to reduce mass, power, and volume, to improve reliability and incorporate lessons learned, and to take advantage of technology advances over the last 20 years. The Lunar Outpost design could also take advantage of partial gravity and lunar resources.     

基于协议变换的图像采集系统设计

介绍了一个基于高速协议变换的实时图像采集系统,该系统实现了从IEEE1394协议到千兆以太网协议的实时变换,将基于IEEE 1394协议的数字相机发出的图像数据转发到以太网上.系统设计使用了SOPC(System On a Programmable Chip)技术,通过Avalon总线将Nios Ⅱ处理器,千兆网MAC核和自定义的1394芯片接口逻辑等IP组件连接在一起形成主要的硬件电路,结合系统软件设计实现了对高速图像数据的实时转发.系统达到了较好的性能,同时具有集成度高,结构简单和扩展性好的特点,展示了利用SOPC技术解决此类问题的优势.     

基于PEA的椭圆轨道航天器编队飞行高精度位置保持

针对航天器编队飞行时相对位置保持精度要求高的特点,采用基于线性变参数模型的多项式特征结构配置方法设计椭圆轨道航天器间相对位置控制算法。对于线性变参数控制系统,本文将基于线性定常系统的多项式特征结构配置方法推广以确保系统性能与变化参数间的独立性。在特征结构配置时,先设计带参数变化的控制器结构后计算出带未知控制器增益的设计闭环传递函数,接着将其与含有闭环系统性能的期望传递函数在三个条件下进行匹配,进而获得未知控制器增益的表达式。在设计实际控制椭圆轨道编队飞行MIMO相对位置保持算法时,将系统期望传递函数设为解耦形式来实现三轴位置控制间的解耦控制,达到提高系统控制性能的目的。最后进行相应的数学仿真,其结果表明该算法能够保证系统的高精度位置保持要求。     

目标跟踪多智能体一致控制

研究了二阶多智能体系统跟踪一致问题。针对相对速度信息未知的网络,分析了有时滞和无时滞情况下网络的稳定性,给出了系统能够实现跟踪一致的条件。最后,通过仿真表明所提协议比现有协议性能更好。     

吸气式高超声速飞行器纵向机动飞行的鲁棒线性变参数控制

针对一个吸气式高超声速飞行器模型,研究了其鲁棒变增益控制问题。为处理对建模误     

连续短线段空间圆弧转接与插补

针对连续短线段高速加工控制需求,研究了利用空间圆弧转接实现高速插补的方法。建立了圆弧转接数学模型,研究了转接的几何约束和运动约束、转接参数计算、空间圆弧插补等相关理论与算法,并详细分析了算法的使用范围、效率制约因素和计算量等工程实现相关问题。仿真和加工实验表明:该转接算法能显著提高加工效率,减小振动,改善工件表面质量。作为空间圆弧转接算法基础的空间圆弧插补算法对空间任意平面内圆弧插补具有实用价值。本文所有算法已经在自主研发的数控平台上进行了验证,应用效果良好。