Date of Award

1-1-2009

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Department

Mechatronics Systems Engineering

First Advisor

Roger Salters, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Kimon Valavanis

Third Advisor

Cynthia McRae

Keywords

Autonomous convergence, Fuzzy theory, Particle swarm, Robotic control, Swarm theory, Target determination

Abstract

The thesis project proposes analytical and theoretical algorithms for a networked swarm of autonomous vehicles, such as those used in planet exploration, and to be used in target location determination and convergence, an algorithm of this type could be used in an Autonomous Stratospheric Aircraft (ASA), thus having the possibility of being used for the exploration of a planet as well as many other applications. Upon locating an unknown location of a specified target, the algorithm would then swarm and eventually converge upon the location. There are two similar, but fundamentally different algorithms proposed in this project. These algorithms are capable of locating and converging upon multiple targeted locations simultaneously. This project is inspired by the current thought of NASA in the search of life on Mars, which is the Water" where the targeted location would be the targeted source of water. These algorithms make use of combining a modified Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm with fuzzy variables for increased intelligence.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Provenance

Received from ProQuest

Rights holder

Zach D. Richards

File size

109 p.

File format

application/pdf

Language

en

Discipline

Robotics, Mathematics, Aerospace engineering

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