Skip to main content
Log in

Ground Target Detection Using Cooperative Unmanned Aerial Systems

  • Published:
Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper, we present a comparative study that evaluates the merit of cooperative unmanned aerial sensor systems against that of a single system with equivalent capabilities. The motivation for our study stems from the current lack of theoretical and empirical work that shows the effectiveness of multiple cooperative unmanned vehicles (UAVs) over the proponents of a single, sophisticated UAV. Using a case study of searching and detecting ground targets with both electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) signatures, we quantify the advantage of multiple cooperative UAVs over a single UAV with equivalent sensing capabilities. Simulation results that support the use of cooperative systems over a single system are included.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hager, C., Zarzhitsky, C., Kwon, H., Pack, D.: Cooperative target localization using heterogeneous unmanned ground and aerial vehicles. In: Proceedings of the 2010 IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Robotic Systems, Taipei, Taiwan, 18–21 October 2010

  2. Haines, E.: Point in polygon strategies. In: Heckbert, P. (ed.) Graphics Gems, vol. IV, pp. 24–46. Academic Press, New York (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Martinelli, A., Pont, F., Siegwart, R.: Multi-robot localization using relative observations. In: Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (2005)

  4. Pack, D., DeLima, D., Toussaint, G., York, G.: Cooperative control of UAVs for localization of intermittently emitting mobile targets. IEEE Trans. Syst. Man Cybern., Part B, Cybern. 39(4), 959–970 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Parker, L.: Distributed algorithm for multi-robot observation of multiple moving targets. Int. J. Auton. Robots 12(3), 231–255 (2002)

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  6. Wollan, H.: Incorporating heuristically generated search patterns in search and rescue. University of Edinburgh (2004)

  7. York, G., Pack, D.: Cooperative persistent surveillance search algorithms using multiple unmanned aerial vehicles. In: Cooperative Control and Optimization. Lecture Series in Control and Information Sciences. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Amsterdam (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Zarzhitsky, D., Schlegel, M., Decker, A., Pack, D.: An event-driven software architecture for multiple unmanned aerial vehicles to cooperatively locate mobile targets. OC & Co-op Control Strategies 462(8), 299–318 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to George York.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

York, G., Pack, D.J. Ground Target Detection Using Cooperative Unmanned Aerial Systems. J Intell Robot Syst 65, 473–478 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10846-011-9590-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10846-011-9590-4

Keywords

Navigation