Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments further provide a system for hierarchical mission management comprising a number of mission planners, a data processing system, and a communication system. The number of mission planners are associated with a number of agent groups. The data processing system is configured to execute the number of mission planners. The communication system is configured to provide communication between the number of mission planners.

Abstract: A neural network model replaces the supervised labeling component of a supervised learning system with an incremental cluster validity index-based unsupervised labeling component. An implementation is presented combining fuzzy adaptive resonance theory predictive mapping (ARTMAP) and incremental cluster validity indices (iCVI) for unsupervised machine learning purposes, namely the iCVI-ARTMAP. An iCVI module replaces the adaptive resonance theory (ART) module B of a fuzzy ARTMAP neural network model and provides assignments of input samples to clusters (i.e., labels) at each learning iteration in accordance to any of several possible iCVI methods described. A map field incrementally builds a many-to-one mapping of the categories of ART module A to the cluster labels. At the end of each learning epoch, clusters may be merged and/or split using the iCVI, which is recomputed incrementally except for the newly cluster during a split.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments further provide a system for hierarchical mission management comprising a number of mission planners, a data processing system, and a communication system. The number of mission planners are associated with a number of agent groups. The data processing system is configured to execute the number of mission planners. The communication system is configured to provide communication between the number of mission planners.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments further provide a system for hierarchical mission management comprising a number of mission planners, a data processing system, and a communication system. The number of mission planners are associated with a number of agent groups. The data processing system is configured to execute the number of mission planners. The communication system is configured to provide communication between the number of mission planners.

Abstract: A method includes positioning a vehicle on a vehicle base station such that a first payload is aligned with an aperture in the vehicle base station. The method includes aligning an empty docking station of a payload advancing assembly with the aperture. The method includes removing the first payload from the vehicle and placing the first payload in the empty docking station of the payload advancing assembly, where the full docking station includes a second payload. The method also includes aligning a full docking station of the payload advancing assembly with the aperture and securing the second payload to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method includes positioning a vehicle on a vehicle base station such that a first payload is aligned with an aperture in the vehicle base station. The method includes aligning an empty docking station of a payload advancing assembly with the aperture. The method includes removing the first payload from the vehicle and placing the first payload in the empty docking station of the payload advancing assembly, where the full docking station includes a second payload. The method also includes aligning a full docking station of the payload advancing assembly with the aperture and securing the second payload to the vehicle.

Abstract: A system to load and unload material from a vehicle comprises a vehicle base station and an assembly to autonomously load and unload material from the vehicle.

Abstract: A mission planning system for determining an optimum use of a plurality of vehicles in searching a predefined geographic area (PGA). A discretizer subsystem may be used for sensing the capabilities of each vehicle to produce a point set defining a number of points within the PGA that the vehicles must traverse to completely search the PGA. A task allocator subsystem may determine an optimum division of the PGA into different subregions to be handled by specific ones of the vehicles, thus to minimize an overall time needed to search the PGA. A path optimizer subsystem may determine an optimum path through a particular vehicle's assigned subregion to minimize the time needed for each specific vehicle to traverse its associated subregion.

Abstract: A system and method for dividing a predefined search region into a map of a plurality of subregions to be searched by a plurality of mobile platforms, taking into account the capabilities of the mobile platforms and varying environmental conditions within the subregions, while minimizing the time needed to search each of the subregions. The system and method updates the map of the subregions as needed, in real time, to account for changing environmental conditions and changes in the capabilities of the mobile platforms being used. The subregions may also be determined using a desired level of probability for detecting targets within the subregions in a desired number of passes through the subregion. The system optimizes coverage time while insuring a desired probability of coverage (i.e., observability) for heterogeneous mobile platforms.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments further provide a system for hierarchical mission management comprising a number of mission planners, a data processing system, and a communication system. The number of mission planners are associated with a number of agent groups. The data processing system is configured to execute the number of mission planners. The communication system is configured to provide communication between the number of mission planners.

Abstract: Methods and systems of neural network demodulation for an optical sensor. An optical sensor may be coupled to a structure and be capable of reflecting a reflected optical signal. A wavelength of the reflected optical signal may be spread based on a strain being applied to the structure. A replication device may receive the reflected optical signal from the optical sensor and produce a plurality of optical signals. A filter may be coupled to the replication device to receive an optical signal from the plurality of optical signals and filter the received optical signal. A detector may receive the filtered optical signal and provide a voltage output proportional to an amount of the filtered optical signal received. A neural network may receive the voltage output and determine the strain on the structure.

Abstract: A simple and robust discrete-time induction motor control technique employs a control algorithm that estimates load torque and rotor resistance from the measured rotor velocity of the motor to be controlled. The estimates of load torque and rotor resistance are employed to generate periodic estimates of parameters that are employed to control first and second harmonic signal generators. A switch controls which of the signal generators supplies a control signal to the motor at any given moment. The two signal generators work in turn such that while one produces the motor control signal, the other one is being readjusted to the new set of parameters by the parameter controller. The control method can be considered as a generalization and modification of Field Oriented Control. In a “non-adaptive” modification, it ensures global exponential stability of a closed-loop system, if at least local stabilization of the system by static control is possible, for given parameter estimates.