Enabling dynamic parametric scans for UAS remote sensing missions

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology for performing dynamic and parametric scanning operations for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) on remote sensing missions. Most UAS autopilots only support elemental waypoint-based guidance, whereas most remote sensing applications imply the surveillance of wide areas that require the execution of elaborate scan patterns. Moreover, the long endurance of UAS platforms allows one to envisage future operations in which the areas to be scanned may dynamically change during a UAS flight. Using elemental waypoints to design and potentially update scan patterns is a time-consuming, ineffi cient and highly restrictive strategy. This paper discusses how to provide dynamic parametric scans over a RNAV-like flight plan manager that feeds basic waypoints to the UAS autopilot. Preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility and flexibility of the proposed method based on flight simulations of complex UAS surveillance operations.