Cooperative bathymetry-based localization using low-cost autonomous underwater vehicles

We present a cooperative bathymetry-based localization approach for a team of low-cost autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), each equipped only with a single-beam altimeter, a depth sensor and an acoustic modem. The localization of the individual AUV is achieved via fully decentralized particle filtering, with the local filter’s measurement model driven by the AUV’s altimeter measurements and ranging information obtained through inter-vehicle communication. We perform empirical analysis on the factors that affect the filter performance. Simulation studies using randomly generated trajectories as well as trajectories executed by the AUVs during field experiments successfully demonstrate the feasibility of the technique. The proposed cooperative localization technique has the potential to prolong AUV mission time, and thus open the door for long-term autonomy underwater.     

洋流影响下基于运动矢径的AUV协同定位方法

针对水下自主航行器（AUV）协同定位受水下未知定常洋流影响的问题,给出一种洋流影响下基于运动矢径的AUV协同定位方法.利用AUV的运动学方程和基于运动矢径的量测方程,建立AUV的导航模型;通过扩展的卡尔曼滤波,设计了协同定位滤波算法;利用该算法对洋流速度进行估计,以补偿AUV定位误差.仿真结果表明,该算法能有效估计未知定常洋流速度的大小,并对AUV定位误差进行实时补偿,显著提高了AUV的定位精度.     

利用FastSLAM框架的多自治水下航行器同时定位与跟踪算法

协同定位是共融机器人研究领域的重要问题.协同定位方案的制定受限于机器人间信息交互的能力.针对长时间通讯中断时多自治水下航行器(AUV)协同定位精度明显下降的问题,借鉴同时定位与制图(SLAM)方法,提出了基于FastSLAM框架的同时定位与跟踪(SLAT)算法.将主AUV视为非合作目标,在从AUV上建立起一个关于主AUV的运动估计器,利用从AUV上声呐传感器实时获取的相对量测信息,在对主AUV运动状态估计的同时,完成对从AUV自定位精度的提升.仿真实验结果表明,在长时间通讯中断发生的条件约束下,相比于传统的航位推算方法,所提出的SLATF1.0和2.0算法能够有效减小定位误差,2.0算法对于探测精度变化等因素的影响具有更好适应性.     

基于单目视觉的水下机器人管道检测

以单目CCD摄像机为视觉传感器,利用视觉系统测量方法获得水下管道的导航信息,并在此基础上建立了一个用于水下机器人的水下管道检测系统． 按照数据结构的抽象程度,将系统中传递的数据信息分为由低至高4个层次,描述了各层次内容,详细介绍了水下机器人管道检测方法． 为了提高系统的准确性和实时性,采用了动态窗口管道检测方法．在室内实验水池中,以某型号水下机器人为试验载体,进行了多次管道跟踪试验,验证了系统的可行性和有效性．     

基于INS/GPS/COMPASS的AUV组合式导航定位算法

导航定位问题是自主式水下机器人研究(AUV)的主要内容之一,本文针对一种开架式AUV设计了一种采用间接反馈校正的捷联惯性导航与GPS、罗盘相组合的导航方案,其中采用卡尔曼滤波器接收两套导航子系统对同一导航参数输出值的差值,经过滤波计算估计出各误差量。仿真实验的结果表明,SINS/GPS/COMPASS组合导航对SINS误差随时间不断加大的现象起到了很好的抑制作用,能够满足AUV定位精度的要求。     

基于Agent面向群体合作的AUV体系结构

分析了AUV体系结构的研究现状及尚未解决的主动性、社会性等问题，提出了一种基于Agent面向群体合作的AUV体系结构(ATA-AUV). ATA-AUV具有主动性、自治性、反应性、社会性等良好特性，适合于复杂海洋环境下AUV群体合作应用领域．提出了4条AUV体系结构功能评价准则，对ATA-AUV及已有的典型的AUV体系结构进行了对比评价分析．给出了ATA-AUV仿真实验结果，证明了ATA-AUV的可行性和有效性．     

Detection of unanticipated faults for autonomous underwater vehicles using online topic models

For robots to succeed in complex missions, they must be reliable in the face of subsystem failures and environmental challenges. In this paper, we focus on autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) autonomy as it pertains to self‐perception and health monitoring, and we argue that automatic classification of state‐sensor data represents an important enabling capability. We apply an online Bayesian nonparametric topic modeling technique to AUV sensor data in order to automatically characterize its performance patterns, then demonstrate how in combination with operator‐supplied semantic labels these patterns can be used for fault detection and diagnosis by means of a nearest‐neighbor classifier. The method is evaluated using data collected by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute's Tethys long‐range AUV in three separate field deployments. Our results show that the proposed method is able to accurately identify and characterize patterns that correspond to various states of the AUV, and classify faults at a high rate of correct detection with a very low false detection rate.     

Closed‐loop one‐way‐travel‐time navigation using low‐grade odometry for autonomous underwater vehicles

This paper extends the progress of single beacon one‐way‐travel‐time (OWTT) range measurements for constraining XY position for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV). Traditional navigation algorithms have used OWTT measurements to constrain an inertial navigation system aided by a Doppler Velocity Log (DVL). These methodologies limit AUV applications to where DVL bottom‐lock is available as well as the necessity for expensive strap‐down sensors, such as the DVL. Thus, deep water, mid‐water column research has mostly been left untouched, and vehicles that need expensive strap‐down sensors restrict the possibility of using multiple AUVs to explore a certain area. This work presents a solution for accurate navigation and localization using a vehicle's odometry determined by its dynamic model velocity and constrained by OWTT range measurements from a topside source beacon as well as other AUVs operating in proximity. We present a comparison of two navigation algorithms: an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) and a Particle Filter(PF). Both of these algorithms also incorporate a water velocity bias estimator that further enhances the navigation accuracy and localization. Closed‐loop online field results on local waters as well as a real‐time implementation of two days field trials operating in Monterey Bay, California during the Keck Institute for Space Studies oceanographic research project prove the accuracy of this methodology with a root mean square error on the order of tens of meters compared to GPS position over a distance traveled of multiple kilometers.     

Mid-water current aided localization for autonomous underwater vehicles

Survey-class autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) typically rely on Doppler Velocity Logs (DVL) for precision localization near the seafloor. In cases where the seafloor depth is greater than the DVL bottom-lock range, localizing between the surface and the seafloor presents a localization problem since both GPS and DVL observations are unavailable in the mid-water column. This work proposes a solution to this problem that exploits the fact that current profile layers of the water column are near constant over short time scales (in the scale of minutes). Using observations of these currents obtained with the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler mode of the DVL during descent, along with data from other sensors, the method discussed herein constrains position error. The method is validated using field data from the Sirius AUV coupled with view-based Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) and on descents up to 3km deep with the Sentry AUV.     

Minimum Speed Seeking Control for Nonhovering Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

Most autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are propelled by a single thruster, use elevators and rudders as control surfaces, and are torpedo‐shaped. Furthermore, they are positively buoyant to facilitate recovery during an emergency. For this class of nonhovering AUVs, there is a minimum speed at which the AUV must travel for stable depth control. Otherwise, the extra buoyancy will bring the AUV up to the surface when the fin loses its effectiveness at low speeds. Hence, we develop a novel algorithm such that the AUV is automatically controlled to travel at its minimum speed while maintaining a constant depth. This capability is important in a number of practical scenarios, including underwater loitering with minimum energy consumption, underwater docking with minimum impact, and high‐resolution sensing at minimum speed. First, we construct a depth dynamic model to explain the mechanism of the minimum speed, and we show its relationship with the buoyancy, the righting moment, and the fin's effectiveness of the AUV. Next, we discuss the minimum speed seeking problem under the framework of extremum seeking. We extend the framework by introducing a new definition of steady‐state mapping that imposes new structure on the seeking algorithm. The proposed algorithm employs a fuzzy inference system, which is driven by the real‐time measurements of pitch error and elevator deflection. The effectiveness of the algorithm in seeking the minimum speed is validated in both simulations and field experiments.     

基于量子隐形传态的水下传感器网络分级加密通信协议

针对水下传感器网络中通信信息安全性与水声信道通信特性的不足,提出了一种基于量子隐形传态的水下传感器网络分级加密通信协议.一级在水面基站与自由水下航行器之间,采用量子隐形传态实现两者之间共享量子密钥,利用纠缠关联空间非定域性保证其通信信息安全性;二级在水下节点到水下自由航行器之间,采用对称加密算法实现两者之间信息的加密传输,利用对称加密快捷的优点提高其通信信息效率.分别对量子攻击、经典攻击及通信效率这3个方面进行了分析,证明该协议能有效防止量子态截获、重构、替换等攻击.     

基于模型的水下目标三维视觉信息复原

水下目标三维视觉信息复原是水下智能机器人（ＡＵＶ）感知环境信息、进行自主作业的关键技术。本文介绍了一种基于模型的复原方法，即通过检测目标边缘拟合轮廓，根据模型知识复原三维信息。该方法已经成功地导引ＡＵＶ进行了水下自主避障、自主剪缆、自主投掷等智能作业。     

AUV自主导航航位推算算法的分析研究

对AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle)自主导航的航位推算算法做了进一步研究并加以改进，以提高其自主导航精度．然后，利用AUV湖试所获得的数据，对本文提出的修正算法进行了验证．结果表明， AUV的自主导航精度得到很大提高，可以用于修正原来的自主导航算法．     

基于准最大最小模型预测控制的AUV视觉对接

针对六自由度自主式水下机器人(autonomous underwater vehicle, AUV)视觉对接这一重要课题,提出一种基于融合深度信息的改进准最大最小模型预测控制(quasi-min-max model predictive control, QMM-MPC)方法,有效提高复杂水下视觉伺服对接系统性能.首先,针对水下AUV视觉由于能见度低导致深度信息存在不确定性的影响,建立新的六自由度AUV视觉伺服模型;然后,结合AUV运动和图像特征运动的测量数据,设计在线深度估计器,同时提出结合多李雅普诺夫函数的QMM-MPC算法,通过求取凸多面体中各顶点不同上界值,降低传统QMM-MPC算法中单李雅普诺夫函数上界所带来的强保守性;最后,通过仿真验证所提出方法的有效性和优越性.     

舵桨联合操纵水下机器人运动控制研究

水下机器人空间运动具有耦合性和非线性等特点,具有良好品质的运动控制器是水下机器人完成各种作业的前提.针对某舵桨联合操纵小型自主式水下机器人运动控制问题进行了研究.对速度,深度和艏向控制系统进行了介绍,根据控制需求,建立了水下机器人动力学模型,对执行机构进行了描述,设计了水下机器人滑模控制方案,采用变速趋近项代替一般指数...     

基于粒子滤波的AUV组合导航方法

讨论了粒子滤波器和RB(Rao-Blackwellised)粒子滤波器两种滤波方法在组合导航中的应用,给出了组合导航算法用于自治水下航行器(AUV)的具体数学模型,并且与拓展卡尔曼滤波器的导航结果进行比较.利用AUV湖上试验验证了3种算法的导航性能,试验结果表明RBPF组合导航算法能够获得最好的导航精度;然而通过对算法进行分析,发现其计算复杂度高于其余两种滤波算法.     

Stable nonlinear adaptive controller for an autonomous underwater vehicle using neural networks

In general, the dynamics of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are highly nonlinear and their hydrodynamic coefficients vary with different operating conditions. For this reason, high performance control system for an AUV usually should have the capacities of learning and adaptation to the time-varying dynamics of the vehicle. In this article, we present a robust adaptive nonlinear control scheme for an AUV, where a linearly parameterized neural network (LPNN) is introduced to approximate the uncertainties of the vehicle's dynamics, and the basis function vector of the network is constructed according to the vehicle's physical properties. The proposed control scheme can guarantee that all of the signals in the closed-loop system are uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB). Numerical simulation studies are performed to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.     

Multi-AUV SOM task allocation algorithm considering initial orientation and ocean current environment

There is an ocean current in the actual underwater working environment. An improved self-organizing neural network task allocation model of multiple autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) is proposed for a three-dimensional underwater workspace in the ocean current. Each AUV in the model will be competed, and the shortest path under an ocean current and different azimuths will be selected for task assignment and path planning while guaranteeing the least total consumption. First, the initial position and orientation of each AUV are determined. The velocity and azimuths of the constant ocean current are determined. Then the AUV task assignment problem in the constant ocean current environment is considered. The AUV that has the shortest path is selected for task assignment and path planning. Finally, to prove the effectiveness of the proposed method, simulation results are given.

     

Teach‐and‐repeat path following for an autonomous underwater vehicle

This paper presents a teach‐and‐repeat path‐following method for an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) navigating long distances in environments where external navigation aides are denied. This method utilizes sonar images to construct a series of reference views along a path, stored as a topological map. The AUV can then renavigate along this path, either to return to the start location or to repeat the route. Utilizing unique assumptions about the sonar image‐generation process, this system exhibits robust image‐matching capabilities, providing observations to a discrete Bayesian filter that maintains an estimate of progress along the path. Image‐matching also provides an estimate of offset from the path, allowing the AUV to correct its heading and effectively close the gap. Over a series of field trials, this system demonstrated online control of an AUV in the ocean environment of Holyrood Arm, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The system was implemented on an International Submarine Engineering Ltd. Explorer AUV and performed multiple path completions over both a 1 and 5 km track. These trials illustrated an AUV operating in a fully autonomous mode, in which navigation was driven solely by sensor feedback and adaptive control. Path‐following performance was as desired, with the AUV maintaining close offset to the path.     

Optimal Guidance for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Navigation within Undersea Areas of Current Disturbances

Simulated navigations of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) achieved by the minimum time guidance within undersea areas of current disturbances are presented. When an AUV has to transit to a given destination within an area of current disturbance, ingenious guidance enables the minimum time navigation. In this study, a numerical solution procedure for an optimal heading guidance law is developed. As the optimal heading reference, the solution of the optimal guidance law is fed to the heading controller. Simulated optimal navigations are realized on the basis of the dynamics of an AUV 'r2D4'. The r2D4 is a deep-ocean-exploring AUV, developed by the Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo. The developed procedure never fails to derive the optimal heading sequence within a finite computational time, provided that the current velocity in the navigation region is known a priori. As a fail-safe strategy in achieving the optimal navigation, the concept of quasi-optimal navigation is presented. The quasi-optimal navigation is implemented by on-site updates of optimal guidances followed by the heading tracking control.