Architectures and algorithms for non-cooperative sense and avoid

Abstract

The paper focuses on research results relevant to non-cooperative sense and avoid based on different sensing architectures and algorithms. In particular, first a radar/electro-optical system is presented where real time data fusion is based on a central level scheme and an Extended Kalman Filter. It was validated in flight tests carried out in the framework of TECVOL project carried out by the Italian Aerospace Research Centre (CIRA) and the University of Naples “Federico II”. In order to evaluate the impact of innovative technologies on system performance, solutions based on Particle Filtering are then introduced which have been developed and implemented in radar-only framework for off-line simulations, taking advantage from sensor data gathered in flight. Finally, algorithms relevant to vision-based sense and avoid are briefly presented, and preliminary results based on flight images in near collision scenarios are discussed.