ERAU Unmanned Systems by Raymond DeMarco

Precision Agriculture UAS Swarm Technology Raymond J. DeMarco III Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide Abstract Unmanned system technology continues to grow in leaps and bounds.  The decreased cost of sensor packages for visual cameras, infrared vision, and other types of computer vision along with miniaturization have created greater capabilities for unmanned vehicles.  Unmanned aerial, ground, and maritime surface vehicles can intelligently work together by the command and control of human operators.  A high level of autonomy is required for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) to execute and collect various data for precision agriculture.  A swarm UAS can safely and efficiently capture data that is significant for farmer analysis of animal grazing and crop cultivation.  Swarm technology is needed to increase the total coverage, quickness, and efficiency of aerial collect data. For the same mission, a swarm of UAVs versus a single...

Introduction There is a need for a more efficient and safer environment in support of existing aeronautical operations that reduce the risk of collisions for manned and unmanned aircraft.  Operators of Small Unmanned Aerospace Systems (sUAS) under 55 pounds hold a responsibility to safe flight in the airspace in which they are permitted.  Payload weight on aircraft this small is significant and should be kept to a minimum for operating efficiency.  Weight requirement and cost effectiveness are key factors for Sense and Avoid (SAA) sensor selection.  A Traffic Collision and Avoidance System (TCAS) are too large and heavy for sUAS.  SAA technology for UAS is part of a much bigger picture.  Each development brings UAS closer to their consent in the National Airspace System (NAS).  NASA conducts collaborative research “with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) and commercial aerospace enti...

Ground Control Station Analysis             The Insitu Common Open Missions Management Command and Control (ICOMC2) is a control station that enables one operator to provide command and control of multiple Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) and Unmanned Aerospace Systems (UASs).  Designed for expeditionary use this Ground Control Station (GCS) is intended to provide missions planning, vehicle control, and payload controls.  It consists of mobile hardware and features a customizable open-architecture design; plug-ins are acceptable to command and control different Unmanned UGVs and UASs.  It can function on a range of different Human Machine Interface (HMI) systems for operator control.  ICOMC2 can operate on a small, man-portable laptop Ground Control Station (GCS), or can be scaled up to a multi-screen C4ISR that integrates keyboard and manual controls to enhance control and precision (Insitu, 2017) It can al...