Multi-AUV Control and Adaptive Sampling in Monterey Bay

Operations with multiple autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) have a variety of underwater applications. For example, a coordinated group of vehicles with environmental sensors can perform adaptive ocean sampling at the appropriate spatial and temporal scales. We describe a methodology for cooperative control of multiple vehicles based on virtual bodies and artificial potentials (VBAP). This methodology allows for adaptable formation control and can be used for missions such as gradient climbing and feature tracking in an uncertain environment. We discuss our implementation on a fleet of autonomous underwater gliders and present results from sea trials in Monterey Bay in August, 2003. These at-sea demonstrations were performed as part of the Autonomous Ocean Sampling Network (AOSN) II project     

Development of a deep ocean electric autonomous manipulator

This paper describes an underwater 3500 m electric manipulator (named Huahai-4E,stands for four functions deep ocean electric manipulator in China),which has been developed at underwater manipulation technology lab in Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) for a test bed of studying of deep ocean manipulation technologies.The manipulator features modular integration joints,and layered architecture control system.The oil-filled,pressure-compensated joint is compactly designed and integrated of a permanent magnet (PM) brushless motor,a drive circuit,a harmonic gear and an angular feedback potentiometer.The underwater control system is based on a network and consisted of three embedded PC/104 computers which are used for servo control,task plan and target sensor respectively.They communicate through User Datagram Protocol (UDP) multicast communication in Vxworks OS.A supervisor PC with a virtual 3D GUI is fiber linked to underwater control system.Furthermore,the manipulator is equipped with a sensor system including a unique ultra-sonic probe array and an underwater camera.Autonomous grasp strategy based multi-sensor is studied.The results of watertight test in 40 MPa,joint’s efficiency test and autonomous grasp experiments in tank are also presented.     

Seaglider: a long-range autonomous underwater vehicle foroceanographic research

Seagliders are small, reusable autonomous underwater vehicles designed to glide from the ocean surface to a programmed depth and back while measuring temperature, salinity, depth-averaged current, and other quantities along a sawtooth trajectory through the water. Their low hydrodynamic drag and wide pitch control range allow glide slopes in the range 0.2 to 3. They are designed for missions in a range of several thousand kilometers and durations of many months. Seagliders are commanded remotely and report their measurements in near real time via wireless telemetry. The development and operation of Seagliders and the results of field trials in Puget Sound are reported     

Multivariable self-tuning autopilots for autonomous and remotelyoperated underwater vehicles

The effectiveness of subsea intervention has been found to be dependent upon the capability of an autonomous underwater vehicle's (AUV's) or remotely operated underwater vehicle's (ROV's) auto-positioning system. However, these vessel's dynamics vary considerably with operating condition, and are strongly coupled; they are expensive and difficult to derive, theoretically or through conventional testing, making the design of conventional autopilots difficult to achieve. Multi-input-multi-output self-tuning controllers offer a possible solution. Two such schemes are presented. The first is an implicit linear quadratic online, self-tuning controller, and the other uses a robust control law based on a first-order approximation of the open-loop dynamics and online recursive identification. The controllers' performance is evaluated by examining their behavior when controlling a comprehensive nonlinear simulation of an ROV and its navigation system. An interesting offshoot of this study is the application of recursive system identification techniques to the derivation of ROV models from data gathered from the trials; the potential advantages of this method are discussed     

Analysis of channel effects on direct-sequence and frequency-hoppedspread-spectrum acoustic communication

Multiuser underwater acoustic communication is one of the enabling technologies for the autonomous ocean-sampling network (AOSN). Multiuser communication allows vehicles, moorings, and bottom instruments to interact without human intervention to perform adaptive sampling tasks. In addition, multiuser communication may be used to send data from many autonomous users to one buoy with RF communications capability, which will then forward the information to shore. The two major signaling techniques for multiuser acoustic communication are phase-shift keying (PSK) direct-sequence spread-spectrum (DSSS) and frequency-shift keying (FSK) frequency-hopped spread-spectrum (FHSS). Selecting between these two techniques requires not only a study of their performance under multiuser conditions, but also an analysis of the impact of the underwater acoustic channel. In the case of DSSS, limitations in temporal coherence of the channel affect the maximum spreading factor, leading to situations that may be better suited to FHSS signals. Conversely, the multipath resolving properties of DSSS minimize the effects of frequency-selective fading that degrade the performance of FSK modulation. Two direct-sequence receivers potentially suitable for the underwater channel are presented. The first utilizes standard despreading followed by decision-directed gain and phase tracking. The second uses chip-rate adaptive filtering and phase tracking prior to despreading. Results from shallow water testing in two different scenarios are presented to illustrate the techniques and their performance     

A wideband, high-resolution, low-probability-of-detection FFTbeamformer

Navigation of an underwater minefield by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) or an autonomous undersea vehicle (AUV) requires the detection, localization, and avoidance of obstacles. The sizes of obstacles to be avoided range from the diameter of cables up to the size of other vehicles. A classical solution to this problem is the use of an obstacle avoidance sonar, but due to the high degree of sophistication of modern-day mines and unfriendly vehicles, it is desirable to avoid signal energies that might be detectable. The use of spread-spectrum signal structures is one possible way to avoid this difficulty while retaining the capability of despreading the energy at the receiver. This paper presents the development of a beamforming system that uses a frequency-decomposition FFT beamformer and a spread-spectrum signal structure for low-probability-of-detection navigation     

Robust control for an autonomous underwater vehicle that suppresses pitch and yaw coupling

Attitude control systems for autonomous underwater vehicles are often implemented with separate controllers for pitch motion in the vertical plane and yaw motion in the horizontal plane. We propose a novel time-varying model for a streamlined autonomous underwater vehicle that explicitly displays the coupling between yaw and pitch motion due to nonzero roll angle and/or roll rate. The model facilitates the use of a multi-input multi-output H_∞ control design that is robust to yaw-pitch coupling. The efficacy of our approach is demonstrated with field trials.     

Investigation of a method for predicting AUV derivatives

The paper addresses the problem of autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) modelling and parameter estimation as a means to predict the dynamic performance of underwater vehicles and thus provide solid guidelines during their design phase. The use of analytical and semi-empirical (ASE) methods to estimate the hydrodynamic derivatives of a popular class of AUVs is discussed. A comparison is done with the results obtained by using computational fluid dynamics to evaluate the bare hull lift force distribution around a fully submerged body. An application is made to the estimation of the hydrodynamic derivatives of the MAYA AUV, an autonomous underwater vehicle developed under a joint Indian-Portuguese project. The estimates obtained were used to predict the turning diameter of the vehicle during sea trials.     

Segmentation methods for visual tracking of deep-ocean jellyfish using a conventional camera

This paper presents a vision algorithm that enables automated jellyfish tracking using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). The discussion focuses on algorithm design. The introduction provides a novel performance-assessment tool, called segmentation efficiency, which aids in matching potential vision algorithms to the jelly-tracking task. This general-purpose tool evaluates the inherent applicability of various algorithms to particular tracking applications. This tool is applied to the problem of tracking transparent jellyfish under uneven time-varying illumination in particle-filled scenes. The result is the selection of a fixed-gradient threshold-based vision algorithm. This approach, implemented as part of a pilot aid for the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute's ROV Ventana, has demonstrated automated jelly tracking for as long as 89 min.     

An ROV Stereovision System for Ship-Hull Inspection

Ship hulls, as well as bridges, port dock pilings, dams, and various underwater structures need to be inspected for periodic maintenance. Additionally, there is a critical need to provide protection against sabotage activities, and to establish effective countermeasures against illegal smuggling activities. Unmanned underwater vehicles are suitable platforms for the development of automated inspection systems, but require integration with appropriate sensor technologies. This paper describes a vision system for automated ship-hull inspection, based on computing the necessary information for positioning, navigation, and mapping of the hull from stereo images. Binocular cues are critical in resolving a number of complex visual artifacts that hamper monocular vision in shallow-water conditions. Furthermore, they simplify the estimation of vehicle pose and motion, which is fundamental for successful automatic operation. The system has been implemented on a commercial remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and tested in pool and dock tests. Results from various trials are presented to demonstrate the system capabilities     

A computationally efficient Doppler compensation system forunderwater acoustic communications

A Doppler compensation system is presented which is suitable for high-data-rate acoustic communication between rapidly moving platforms such as autonomous underwater vehicles. The proposed approach provides a generic preprocessor to conventional adaptive receiver structures with only a marginal increase in computational load and hardware cost. The preprocessor employs a novel Doppler estimation technique and efficient sample rate conversion to remove Doppler shift induced by platform velocity and acceleration. Performance predicted by simulation is compared to that of sea trials of a prototype communication system in the North Sea. Successful communication is demonstrated at 16 kbit/s with a transmitting platform moving at up to ±2.6 m/s     

Underwater Terrain Positioning Method Based on Least Squares Estimation for AUV

To achieve accurate positioning of autonomous underwater vehicles, an appropriate underwater terrain database storage format for underwater terrain-matching positioning is established using multi-beam data as underwater terrain-matching data. An underwater terrain interpolation error compensation method based on fractional Brownian motion is proposed for defects of normal terrain interpolation, and an underwater terrain-matching positioning method based on least squares estimation (LSE) is proposed for correlation analysis of topographic features. The Fisher method is introduced as a secondary criterion for pseudo localization appearing in a topographic features flat area, effectively reducing the impact of pseudo positioning points on matching accuracy and improving the positioning accuracy of terrain flat areas. Simulation experiments based on electronic chart and multi-beam sea trial data show that drift errors of an inertial navigation system can be corrected effectively using the proposed method. The positioning accuracy and practicality are high, satisfying the requirement of underwater accurate positioning.     

Experimental study on the soil thrust of underwater tracked vehicles moving on the clay seafloor

As the soil traction of the track system consisting of a track plate and protruded grousers is generally higher than that of a comparable wheel system, underwater tracked vehicles are the favored platforms for heavy-weight remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). When an underwater tracked vehicle moves on the seafloor, the track system laterally transmits an engine torque to the soil-track interface, resulting in slip displacement and an associated soil thrust acting as a traction force. Therefore, to evaluate the mobility of underwater tracked vehicle, it is critical to evaluate the soil thrust of the track system based on the soil-track interaction. Unlike the soil thrust of sandy soils, a reliable soil thrust assessment method accounting for the failure mechanism of clayey soil has yet to be developed in spite of its significance. An experimental study on the mechanism of the soil thrust of clayey soil was thus performed. Model track experiments were conducted on a model track system with clayey soil. Based on the experiment results, the mechanism of the soil thrust of clayey soil was investigated and was compared with the mechanism of soil thrust derived from the previous soil thrust assessment methods using sandy soil. Particular attention was given to the development of a new soil thrust prediction model for the track system on clayey soil using the limit equilibrium analysis technique.     

SAR, NAUTILE, SAGA, ELIT--Four new vehicles for underwater work and exploration: The IFREMER approach

Manned or unmanned, towed, tethered, or acoustically remote-controlled underwater vehicles are the necessary tools of deep-ocean exploration as well as the exploitation of the continental shelf mineral resources. It is possible to identify categories of tasks for which a type of vehicle is best suited, and in each of those categories, the Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER), the French agency for ocean research, has designed new sophisticated vehicles, giving to scientists and engineers a set of tools to fulfill most of their needs. SAR is a broad-range high-resolution side-scan sonar designed for detailed acoustic surveys; NAUTILE is a 6000-m capability manned submersible; SAGA is a large autonomy lock-out 600-m submersible. Finally, ELIT will be a totally autonomous vehicle for inspection of oil underwater structures.     

一种智能水下机器人进行大范围海洋环境监测的方案与实验

采用智能水下机器人进行海洋环境的立体监测具有监测范围广，自主性强的特点。本文在探讨世界各国采用智能水下机器人进行海洋环境监测的情况的基础上，介绍了自主研发的智能水下机器人海洋大范围环境数据的自主采集系统，其主要优点是：相对于其他机器人，可实现“大范围” 海洋环境数据的采集；相对于固定式浮标，可实现海洋环境数据的“自主”采集。并给出了自主采集流程和软件分层递阶体系结构。在真实海域中，采用智能水下机器人，进行了国内首次大范围环境数据采集实航实验。实验结果表明采用智能水下机器人进行海洋环境的立体监测是切实可行的。     

Workspace control system of underwater tele-operated manipulators on an ROV

This paper presents a control technique for structured undersea tasks that require a high degree of precision. The overall efficiency of tele-operated underwater manipulation is improved by reducing the burden on the human operator. A new workspace-control system composed of a computer and input devices in workspace was developed to support the operator. The computer transforms the desired velocity of end-effector in workspaces to desired joint angles by solving the inverse kinematics of the slave manipulators. The desired joint angles are transferred to the slave controller through RS-485 serial communication, and be followed by the slave manipulator. The developed master system provides advantages in conducting structured tasks(coring, drilling, underwater connector mating, etc.) that require precise control of the end-effector’s motion and attitude. The existing master system, however, is more useful for unstructured tasks than newly developed master system. By combining the two master systems, the work efficiency of the underwater tele-operated manipulator system was improved. This paper presents the development of the workspace-control system and a working strategy to alleviate operator’s burden in underwater works. Experimental results are presented to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method using underwater manipulators mounted on the KORDI deep-sea ROV Hemire.     

Modeling and simulation of autonomous underwater vehicles: design and implementation

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) have many scientific, military, and commercial applications because of their potential capabilities and significant cost-performance improvements over traditional means for performing search and survey. The development of a reliable sampling platform requires a thorough system design and many costly at-sea trials during which systems specifications can be validated. Modeling and simulation provides a cost-effective measure to carry out preliminary component, system (hardware and software), and mission testing and verification, thereby reducing the number of potential failures in at-sea trials. An accurate simulation can help engineers to find hidden errors in the AUV embedded software and gain insights into the AUV operations and dynamics. This paper reviews our research work on real-time physics-based modeling and simulation for our AUVs. The modeling component includes vehicle dynamics, environment and sensor characteristics. The simulation component consists of stand-alone versus hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) implementation, for both single as well as multiple vehicles. In particular, implementation issues with regard to multitasking system resources will be addressed. The main contribution of this paper is to present the rationale for our simulation architecture and the lessons learned.     

A two-level, protocol-based approach to controlling autonomousoceanographic sampling networks

Autonomous oceanographic sampling networks (AOSNs) are groups of autonomous underwater vehicles and other instrument platforms. They were envisioned to address the serious undersampling problem that exists for the ocean. Advanced AOSNs will include numerous heterogeneous components and perform complex, long-duration missions. They will have to cope with vehicles failing, new vehicles arriving, and changes in the mission and environment. Controlling such a system is a very challenging task. The Cooperative Distributed AOSN control (CoDA) project focuses on developing intelligent control mechanisms for advanced AOSNs. CoDA treats AOSN components as agents that follow protocols to create an effective organization to carry out the mission. CoDA is a two-level approach. A meta-level organization (MLO) first self-organizes from a subset of the agents to discover the AOSNs' total capability repertoire, then designs a task-level organization (TLO) to efficiently carry out the mission. When changes occur, the MLO can step in to reorganize the AOSN to fit the changed situation. This two-level approach allows the AOSN to be both efficient and flexible in the face of change. In addition to describing CoDA, this paper also presents simulation results to show its behavior, both normally and when agents fail     

Zero-G Class Underwater Robots: Unrestricted Attitude Control Using Control Moment Gyros

The "Zero-G" is designated as a new class of underwater robot that is capable of unrestricted attitude control. A novel control scheme based on internal actuation using control moment gyros (CMGs) is developed to provide Zero-G class autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) with this unique freedom in control. This is implemented in the CMG-actuated Zero-G class internal kinematic underwater robot actuation (IKURA) system that was developed as part of this research. A series of experiments are performed to demonstrate the practical application of CMGs and verify the associated theoretical developments. The ability to actively stabilize the translational dynamics of the robot is assessed and unrestricted attitude control is demonstrated in an experiment that involves vertically pitched diving and surfacing in surge. Finally, potential applications for Zero-G class AUVs are discussed.     

潜水器控制系统层次故障诊断模型设计

在潜水器控制系统的基础上,按照结构、功能和组件的关系,为潜水器控制系统进行故障诊断建模。依据基于模型的层次故障诊断技术,建立了适用于潜水器控制系统故障诊断的具体诊断和推理策略,开发了故障诊断软件系统,描述了故障诊断具体过程,并利用数字仿真验证系统设计的有效性。