Unmanned Aerial Patrol Technology Based on Tracking Algorithm of Target Tracking

In this study, the trend of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology and its applications in the mining industry were reviewed. To understand the trend of the UAV technology, the definition and classification of the UAVs, their major applications in each field, the characteristics of the sensors of the UAV were investigated. Some examples that used the UAV technology for planning, work management, facility management, safety management, and other works in the mining industry were reviewed. By introducing the UAV technology in the mining site, it is expected that the work efficiency related to mining operations would be increased. Therefore, the application of the UAV technology in the mining industry would be expanded further.

In recent years, as the cost of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology has steadily decreased and advancements in data processing speed and image recognition have accelerated, UAVs have become increasingly favored in civil engineering surveying and mapping. The purpose of this paper is to study the development of UAV technology in the field of civil engineering surveying and mapping and its current application methods. By analysing the above contents, the problems still existing in the current practical use of UAV technology are studied. Through a review of relevant literature, newly developed technologies will be integrated with current UAV capabilities to propose recommendations for future improvements. This article employs literature analysis and case study methodologies to investigate the utilization of UAV technology. It delineates the current state of development and the challenges that UAV technology faces in the surveying field by examining extant academic research materials and legal regulations. It also provides a concise overview of the distinctive benefits of UAV technology. Simultaneously, the deficiencies of UAV technology in field environments are investigated, particularly focusing on data collection and accuracy in engineering surveying projects. UAV technology has obvious advantages compared with traditional methods in the field of civil engineering surveying and mapping. It can complete surveying and mapping tasks efficiently and quickly in many application scenarios. The high flexibility of UAVs and the high-precision scanning of their sensors are enough to meet the needs of current engineering surveying and mapping. The wide application of UAV technology still faces problems such as imperfect laws and regulations, insufficient surveying and mapping scope, and large surveying and mapping data. Addressing these issues requires the development of new laws and the creation of algorithms to enhance data processing capabilities.

Abstract. This paper looks into the latest achievement in the low-cost Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology in their capacity to map the semi-development areas. The objectives of this study are to establish a new methodology or a new algorithm in image registration during interior orientation process and to determine the accuracy of the photogrammetric products by using UAV images. Recently, UAV technology has been used in several applications such as mapping, agriculture and surveillance. The aim of this study is to scrutinize the usage of UAV to map the semi-development areas. The performance of the low cost UAV mapping study was established on a study area with two image processing methods so that the results could be comparable. A non-metric camera was attached at the bottom of UAV and it was used to capture images at both sites after it went through several calibration steps. Calibration processes were carried out to determine focal length, principal distance, radial lens distortion, tangential lens distortion and affinity. A new method in image registration for a non-metric camera is discussed in this paper as a part of new methodology of this study. This method used the UAV Global Positioning System (GPS) onboard to register the UAV image for interior orientation process. Check points were established randomly at both sites using rapid static Global Positioning System. Ground control points are used for exterior orientation process, and check point is used for accuracy assessment of photogrammetric product. All acquired images were processed in a photogrammetric software. Two methods of image registration were applied in this study, namely, GPS onboard registration and ground control point registration. Both registrations were processed by using photogrammetric software and the result is discussed. Two results were produced in this study, which are the digital orthophoto and the digital terrain model. These results were analyzed by using the root mean square errors and mean absolute error to determine the level of accuracy and the precision of photogrammetric products. It can be concluded that the new method of image registration by using the GPS onboard of the UAV produces medium accuracy result compared to the method that uses the ground control point. This new method can be used for the medium accuracy requirements. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle can be used for several applications, which requires a medium accuracy.

This study aims to propose a technology forecasting approach based on hierarchical S-curves. The proposed approach uses holistic forecasting by evaluating the S-curves of sub-technologies as well as the main technology under concern. A case study of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies is conducted to demonstrate how the proposed approach works in practice. This is the first study that applies hierarchical S-curves to technology forecasting of unmanned aerial vehicle technologies in the literature. The future trend of the UAV technologies is analysed in detail through a hierarchical S-curve approach. Hierarchical S-curves are also utilised to investigate the sub-technologies of the UAV. In addition, the technology development life cycle of technology is assessed by using the three indexes namely, (1) the current technological maturity ratio (TMR), (2) estimating the number of potential patents that could be granted in the future (PPA), and (3) forecasting the expected remaining life (ERL). The results of this study indicate that the UAV technologies and their sub-technologies are at the growth stage in the technology life cycle, and most of the developments in UAV technology will have been completed by 2048. Hence, these technologies can be considered emerging technologies.

This paper underscores the significance of safety and reliability in the realm of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies, and how regulations play a pivotal role in ensuring their responsible use. We have analyzed safety incidents and trends both in Canada and globally, noting a decline in incidents attributed to enhanced regulations. Our comparative analysis of different UAV technologies identified batteries as the most reliable power supply, Global Navigation Satellite System as the most effective navigation system, and light detection and ranging as the optimal optical sensor due to regulatory compliance and system redundancies. We also examined the regulatory framework in Canada, comparing it with the risk-based approach of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the efforts of Joint Authorities for Rule-making on Unmanned Systems towards global harmonization. Furthermore, we highlighted emerging trends in automation and flight control technologies, with a focus on European regulations shaping UAV automation trends. In conclusion, by adhering to best practices from other regulatory bodies, embracing emerging trends, and adopting a risk-based approach, Canada can promote the growth of the UAV industry while ensuring safety and reliability in UAV technologies.

The complexity of transmission line networks is increasing as the number of deployed transmission networks grows. This makes transmission line fault detection difficult. The approaches utilized for fault detection in the past are no longer applicable to today's complex networks. A lot of research has been conducted on automatic transmission line inspection to make it more reliable, efficient, and safe. Traditional inspection approaches are limited in their application in unusual situations such as storms, severe winds, snow, or other natural disasters. Natural catastrophes have a negative impact on the electrical transmission network. So, it has been a challenge to develop a more efficient and accurate technique for a decade. New procedures and methodologies have been introduced, making inspection and defect diagnosis much easier and more efficient. One of the most recent ways is the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), which is outfitted with thermal and ultraviolent cameras and works based on image processing. The UAV technology is efficient, contactless, fast, and produces accurate results. Traditional procedures cannot have as many precise and efficient results as the UAV technique.

Abstract—These technological advances make researchers around the world develop many new things to support the harmony of life. Humans think a lot, including in terms of technology for the advancement of the times and to maintain life, as well as for handling the unprecedented outbreak of the corona virus that spread in the end of 2019, referred to as COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO), and has put the whole world in a precarious position. The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, which was witnessed only by Chinese citizens, has become a problem of great concern for almost every country around the world makes the COVID-19 outbreak is spreading tremendous fear, overburdened healthcare system has forced most countries around the world are in a state of partial or complete lockdown. Researchers have begun to develop studies in various fields to help control the virus. Technology is also forced to adapt and develop faster to deal with the existing situation. In response to this action, with this review paper we use trusted sources to present a detailed review of specific aspects related to technological developments during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially UAV or drone technology. In this study we explore the use of technologies such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones that are modified for handling pandemic situations, and how these technologies are also combined with other trending technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and 5G, among others, to help reduce their impact from the COVID-19 outbreak and the challenges for the post COVID-19 period. Where UAV technology can be modified and developed according to the needs of the pandemic and development for the post-pandemic and endemic period

With the continuous progress of human society and the rapid development of economy, the power industry closely related to human production and life is also developing rapidly. Electric power industry is also playing an increasingly important role in the development of national economy. Subsequently, transmission security becomes more and more important. However, at present, the traditional single manual line inspection has the characteristics of high labor intensity, high safety risk, high safety risk, low operation efficiency, and many deficiencies seriously restrict the intelligent transformation of transmission line operation and maintenance. Therefore, this paper proposes a new transmission line detection scheme based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) detection path planning. Transmission line detection system based on UAV and ground monitoring equipment basically meets the requirements of transmission line detection. It is found that the UAV based transmission line inspection work arrangement efficiency is higher, and the fault detection rate is higher. The accuracy rate of UAV line inspection method proposed in this paper reaches 93.7%, which can effectively reduce the workload of staff and improve the work efficiency.

A power line segmentation model in aerial images based on an efficient multibranch concatenation network

Information acquisition and rescue operation management can be facilitated by the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with cameras and sensors that are capable of aerial photography and acquire important information from disaster-stricken areas. UAV technology is a relatively low-cost, flexible, and safe solution in missions that are difficult for humans or other systems. UAV usage in pre-and post-disaster assessment, response, and management is an active area of research. There are two important technical aspects of UAV applications in disaster situations. The first is the limited communication range. Information acquired and photography produced by UAVs are only transmitted in real-time to the ground control station (GCS) within its communication range. Remote real-time monitoring of distant areas beyond the UAV's communication range is not possible using a single UAV. It is only possible through communication among several UAVs. The second is the relatively short flight time due to limited battery capacity. UAV replacement is required in order to carry out a persistent monitoring mission. In this paper, we propose a new remote real-time monitoring system of a distant disaster area using multiple UAVs. Wireless communications between multiple UAVs constitutes a UAV network in our proposed system. Moreover, the proposed system replaces the UAVs in-flight with standby UAVs according to the remaining energy levels. We compare the performance of the proposed system with an existing UAV system. Our simulation results show that the proposed system can achieve efficient remote real-time monitoring.

The inspection and maintenance tasks of electrical installations are very demanding. Nowadays, insulator cleaning is carried out manually by operators using scaffolds, ropes, or even helicopters. However, these operations involve potential risks for humans and the electrical structure. The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) to reduce the risk of these tasks is rising. This paper presents an UAV to autonomously clean insulators on power lines. First, an insulator detection and tracking algorithm has been implemented to control the UAV in operation. Second, a cleaning tool has been designed consisting of a pump, a tank, and an arm to direct the flow of cleaning liquid. Third, a vision system has been developed that is capable of detecting soiled areas using a semantic segmentation neuronal network, calculating the trajectory for cleaning in the image plane, and generating arm trajectories to efficiently clean the insulator. Fourth, an autonomous system has been developed to land on a charging pad to charge the batteries and potentially fill the tank with cleaning liquid. Finally, the autonomous system has been validated in a controlled outdoor environment.

With the popularity of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, remote sensing target tracking in aerial videos from UAVs has drawn much attention. However, various problems occur, such as obvious target scale changes and frequent target shape updates in UAV aerial videos, and typical tracking algorithms have difficulties in solving these challenges. Therefore, we propose a remote sensing target tracking method for UAV videos based on a multiscale antideformation network (MSADN). This method uses the fully convolutional Siamese network (SiameseFC) as its basic architecture. First, in the target feature extraction stage, we use a receptive field block module to change the single convolutional layer of the network. And the multibranch structure can improve the algorithm’s adaptability to target scale changes. Then, in the tracking stage, to solve the problem of the lack of template updates, we integrate a template dynamic update module into the SiameseFC architecture. This module uses long short-term memory to generate control signals to dynamically update target shape information, and it will improve the algorithm’s ability to cope with frequent target shape updates. Finally, compared to state-of-the-art trackers, experimental results show that the MSADN algorithm can obtain better performance (75.9% Prec, 56.4% Succ) while ensuring higher efficiency (60 fps).

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology is being used increasingly for military and civilian purposes. The primary reason for this increase is that UAVs eliminate the risk to human life in difficult and dangerous missions, are cost effective, and easily are deployed. Developments in UAV technology and decreasing costs have increased UAV usage. However, when multiple UAVs are deployed, inter UAV communication becomes complicated. For this reason, communication in multi-UAV systems is the most important problem that needs to be solved. To enable communication among UAVs without infrastructure support, a Flying Ad Hoc Network (FANET) is used. A FANET provides UAVs to fly in tandem without colliding. To ensure coordinated flight, UAVs require the location information of other UAVs. In this study, we developed a common channel multi-token circulation protocol to share location information in multi-UAV systems that communicate using a FANET. The proposed method ensures that UAVs in multi-UAV systems know each other's coordinate information with minimum error.DOI: 10.5755/j01.eie.25.1.22738

A survey on cellular-connected UAVs: Design challenges, enabling 5G/B5G innovations, and experimental advancements

This paper presents a target tracking algorithm that enables a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to keep tracking an uncooperative, moving target. The proposed tracking algorithm is based on sliding mode control, and it ensures that the UAV can maintain a persistent circular motion with respect to the moving target as long as the target is not faster than the UAV. Special attention is taken to eliminate the inherent chattering phenomenon involved in sliding mode control, and asymptotic stability is achieved for the tracking algorithm. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithm.