This paper will introduce the goals, concept and results of the project named CLOSE-SEARCH, which stands for ’Accurate and safe EGNOS-SoL Navigation for UAV-based low-cost Search-And-Rescue (SAR) operations’. The main goal is to integrate a medium-size, helicopter-type Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), a thermal imaging sensor and an EGNOS-based multi-sensor navigation system, including an Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (AIM) capability, to support search operations in difficult-to-access areas and/or night operations. The focus of the paper is three-fold. Firstly, the operational and technical challenges of the proposed approach are discussed, such as ultra-safe multi-sensor navigation system, the use of combined thermal and optical vision (infrared plus visible) for person recognition and Beyond-Line-Of-Sight communications among others. Secondly, the implementation of the integrity concept for UAV platforms is discussed herein through the AIM approach. Based on the potential of the geodetic quality analysis and on the use of the European EGNOS system as a navigation performance starting point, AIM approaches integrity from the precision standpoint; that is, the derivation of Horizontal and Vertical Protection Levels (HPLs, VPLs) from a realistic precision estimation of the position parameters is performed and compared to predefined Alert Limits (ALs). Finally, some results from the project test campaigns are described to report on particular project achievements. Together with actual Search-and-Rescue teams, the system was operated in realistic, user-chosen test scenarios. In this context, and specially focusing on the EGNOS-based UAV navigation, the AIM capability and also the RGB/thermal imaging subsystem, a summary of the results is presented.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    SEARCHING LOST PEOPLE WITH UAVS: THE SYSTEM AND RESULTS OF THE CLOSE-SEARCH PROJECT


    Contributors:
    P. Molina (author) / I. Colomina (author) / T. Vitoria (author) / P. F. Silva (author) / J. Skaloud (author) / W. Kornus (author) / R. Prades (author) / C. Aguilera (author)


    Publication date :

    2012




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    Unknown




    Fast search method for moving targets using multiple UAVs cooperative searching

    Tian, Weiyong / Liu, Li / Wang, Qiusheng | IEEE | 2022


    Euro UAVs close the gap

    Online Contents | 2003


    Searching the Lost Fragments

    Ikeda, Hitoshi / Hanada, Toshiya / Yasaka, Tetsuo | AIAA | 2005


    Searching the "lost time"

    Mannevy, P. | British Library Online Contents | 1993


    Method and System for Searching Lost Drone

    KWON TAE WOOK | European Patent Office | 2019

    Free access