Autonomous Mobile Land Target Navigation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile land target systems for training and testing are limited by system latencies, poor video quality, and operator capability, restricting their speed and maneuverability, which are inadequate for modern weapons systems and battlefield scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A fully autonomous mobile land target system using a Guidance Processor with GPS, IMU, and vehicle-mounted sensors to follow predefined courses with high accuracy and maneuverability, equipped with self-calibration capabilities and advanced path generation algorithms, allowing for smooth and continuous curvature paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If radio controlled vehicles are used for mobile land targets, then operator control is achieved, but speed and maneuverability are limited due to system latencies and operator capability
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities including GPS receiver, inertial measurement unit, and wheel encoders that enable it to navigate independently without continuous operator input. The vehicle can autonomously follow recorded paths, maintain position, and adjust its trajectory, thereby achieving high speed and maneuverability without being constrained by operator reaction time or system latencies
Solution Approach 2:
The system records ground paths in advance during a teaching phase, storing the complete navigation sequence in memory. During operation, the vehicle simply executes the pre-recorded path commands, eliminating the need for real-time operator decisions and enabling the vehicle to achieve speeds and maneuverability beyond human capability
2Ease of operation
If radio controlled vehicles are used for mobile land targets, then operator control is achieved, but maneuverability is limited due to system latencies and operator capability
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle autonomously processes navigation data from multiple sensors (GPS, IMU, wheel encoders) and automatically adjusts its motion to follow complex paths with sharp turns and varying speeds. This autonomous capability enables maneuverability that would be difficult for a human operator to achieve consistently, while the vehicle maintains adaptability to different terrain and path requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors vehicle position using GPS, inertial sensors, and wheel encoders, comparing actual position against the desired path. The control system automatically adjusts steering and speed commands based on this feedback, enabling precise maneuverability and path following accuracy that exceeds human operator capability
3Measurement precision
If GPS, IMU, and wheel encoders are integrated for autonomous navigation, then path following accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates GPS receiver, inertial measurement unit, and wheel encoder measurements within a unified navigation solution. The processor fuses data from all three sources to compute accurate position, velocity, and orientation, achieving high path following accuracy while managing complexity through integrated processing rather than separate independent systems
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an unmanned fully autonomous threat representative mobile land target for testing modern weapon systems and training personnel. The invention implements novel navigation and vehicle control algorithms which allow any predefined course to be represented spatially and temporally with continuously and smoothly varying curvatures having no discontinuities of curvature, direction, or acceleration that enable the target vehicle to traverse a predefined course with unprecedented speed, accuracy, and maneuverability without the need for communication with any remotely located station. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of the claims.