IR Algorithms for Video-Aided Navigation

This project will develop a FLIR video aided navigation system for Unmanned Air Vehicles, giving them a robust autonomous navigation capability. The system will allow UAVs to maintain an accurate estimate of their own motion in the absence of GPS, with INS drift, and in day or night operating conditions. The system will have wide applicability across a variety of airborne platforms. In Phase I we have assessed and characterized component algorithms, sensing configurations and flight scenarios. During Phase II we will design and build a real-time implementation of the FLIR video aided navigation system and characterize its performance in a series of flight tests on a UAV.