Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the heading of a mining machine while the mining machine performs a cutting operation. One system includes a cutting system and a set of left and right tracks of the mining machine. The system also includes a lidar sensor mounted to the mining machine. The system also includes an electronic processor configured to receive the data from the lidar sensor. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a current heading of the mining machine based on the data received from the lidar sensor and compare the current heading to a target heading of the mining machine. In response to the current heading not being different from the target heading of the mining machine by a predetermined amount, the electronic processor is configured to control the mining machine to adjust the current heading of the mining machine.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the heading of a mining machine while the mining machine performs a cutting operation. One system includes a cutting system and a set of left and right tracks of the mining machine. The system also includes a lidar sensor mounted to the mining machine. The system also includes an electronic processor configured to receive the data from the lidar sensor. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a current heading of the mining machine based on the data received from the lidar sensor and compare the current heading to a target heading of the mining machine. In response to the current heading not being different from the target heading of the mining machine by a predetermined amount, the electronic processor is configured to control the mining machine to adjust the current heading of the mining machine.

Abstract: A wireless sensor system includes a wireless sensor node with a sensor interface that interfaces with sensing circuitry, a wireless interface to communicate with a wireless access point, at least one processor, and memory having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the wireless sensor node to set a heartbeat message rate to a first heartbeat message rate. Heartbeat messages are sent periodically at the first heartbeat message rate, and sensor data are acquired through the sensor interface. The heartbeat message rate increases to a second heartbeat message rate based on a determination that the sensor data have been acquired and are ready to transmit. The sensor data are transmitted in one or more heartbeat messages at the second heartbeat message rate until all sensor data have been transmitted, then the heartbeat message rate is returned to the first heartbeat message rate.

Abstract: A wireless sensor system includes a wireless sensor node with a sensor interface that interfaces with sensing circuitry, a wireless interface to communicate with a wireless access point, at least one processor, and memory having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the wireless sensor node to set a heartbeat message rate to a first heartbeat message rate. Heartbeat messages are sent periodically at the first heartbeat message rate, and sensor data are acquired through the sensor interface. The heartbeat message rate increases to a second heartbeat message rate based on a determination that the sensor data have been acquired and are ready to transmit. The sensor data are transmitted in one or more heartbeat messages at the second heartbeat message rate until all sensor data have been transmitted, then the heartbeat message rate is returned to the first heartbeat message rate.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes a sensor interface coupled to a gyroscope system, a wireless communication interface, a processor, and memory. The memory has instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the autonomous vehicle to establish a plurality of wireless communication links with two or more vehicles in a group including the autonomous vehicle and the two or more vehicles. A signal strength of each of the wireless communication links is monitored to determine an observed signal strength of each of the wireless communication links. A desired position of the autonomous vehicle is determined based on an expected signal strength of each of the wireless communication links. A position adjustment of the autonomous vehicle is initiated based on a difference between the expected signal strength and the observed signal strength in combination with data from the gyroscope system.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes a sensor interface coupled to a gyroscope system, a wireless communication interface, a processor, and memory. The memory has instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the autonomous vehicle to establish a plurality of wireless communication links with two or more vehicles in a group including the autonomous vehicle and the two or more vehicles. A signal strength of each of the wireless communication links is monitored to determine an observed signal strength of each of the wireless communication links. A desired position of the autonomous vehicle is determined based on an expected signal strength of each of the wireless communication links. A position adjustment of the autonomous vehicle is initiated based on a difference between the expected signal strength and the observed signal strength in combination with data from the gyroscope system.