Multi-Platform Sensor Deployment for Lightweight Target Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional moving platforms are limited in their ability to determine data associated with targets due to weight and cost constraints, which restricts their sensor configurations and operational effectiveness across various scenarios and conditions.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a network of moving platforms with different sensor configurations that can be dynamically deployed to an area based on the initial platform's capabilities, allowing for the use of multiple sensors such as visible light, infrared, and night-vision cameras to determine objects or activities associated with targets, and to locate or identify targets through a central system and machine learning algorithms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a moving platform is configured with an expansive sensor configuration to determine data associated with targets, then the measurement precision and reliability are improved, but the weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sensing function across multiple moving platforms, each carrying a limited sensor configuration. Instead of one platform with all sensors, multiple platforms with specialized sensors (e.g., one with visible light cameras, another with infrared) work together to achieve comprehensive target data determination, resolving the weight-precision contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a universal sensing network where multiple moving platforms with different sensor types can be dynamically deployed and coordinated. This multi-functional approach allows the system to adapt to various target identification needs (visible light, infrared, night vision) without requiring each individual platform to carry all sensor types, thus managing weight while maintaining measurement precision.
2Reliability
If a moving platform is configured with an expansive sensor configuration to determine data associated with targets, then the reliability is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the expensive comprehensive sensing capability across multiple more affordable platforms. Each platform carries a subset of sensors appropriate for specific conditions, reducing individual platform cost while the collective system achieves reliable target data determination through coordinated operation of multiple platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs multiple moving platforms with limited sensor configurations that can be deployed and replaced as needed. Rather than investing in one expensive platform with all sensors, the system uses multiple more affordable platforms that can be dynamically allocated to different missions, reducing overall system cost while maintaining reliability through redundancy and specialization.
3Weight of moving object
If a single moving platform carries limited sensors due to weight constraints, then the weight is reduced, but the adaptability across different scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves operational versatility across different scenarios (daytime, nighttime, various weather conditions) by deploying multiple moving platforms with different sensor specializations. The central system coordinates these platforms dynamically, allowing the lightweight individual platforms to collectively provide adaptability that would otherwise require heavy individual platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically allocates and coordinates multiple moving platforms with different sensor configurations based on mission requirements. Rather than a static single-platform configuration, the system adaptively assigns platforms with appropriate sensors (visible light for daytime, infrared for nighttime) to specific tasks, achieving versatility through dynamic reconfiguration of the sensing network.
4Measurement precision
If multiple moving platforms with different sensor configurations are deployed, then the measurement precision and adaptability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The central system acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of coordinating multiple moving platforms with different sensor configurations. It receives sensor data from various platforms, processes and integrates the information, and coordinates platform deployment and sensor operation, thereby enabling high measurement precision and adaptability while centralizing the complexity management rather than distributing it across individual platforms.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for operating a moving platform to locate a known target at an area associated with the target are disclosed. In an example method to locate the target at the area, a first moving platform, configured with a first type of sensor, is caused to move to the area. An attempt is made to locate, via the first moving platform and the first type of sensor, the target at the area. Based on the attempt, a second moving platform, configured with a second type of sensor, is caused to move to the area. The target is located via the second moving platform and the second type of sensor.