Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine October 2017 - 2

In This Issue - Technically
CURRENT USE OF LINUX IN SPACECRAFT FLIGHT SOFTWARE
This article reviews the state-of-the-art of Linux use in spacecraft. The continuing increase in computer hardware capabilities is also reflected in the increasing complexity of computer systems used aboard spacecraft. Linux has traditionally been regarded as unsuitable for
on-board space applications due to its uncertain real-time capabilities. However, growing numbers of spacecraft operators have decided
to use Linux in their on-board computers. Linux is currently used to control launch vehicles, satellites, and in the near future possibly
manned spacecraft. The benefits and drawbacks of using Linux in spacecraft avionics are discussed, and the authors attempt to provide
useful information for future spacecraft developers that may consider using Linux in their projects.

MEASUREMENT OF WING DEFLECTIONS IN FLEXIBLE AIRCRAFT USING THE SANSEC SMART SENSOR
This article investigates the use of the SansEC smart sensing technology towards measurement of wing deflections in flexible aircraft.
It has been demonstrated that changes in wing deflection caused by increased airspeeds and increased wing loading result in changes in
the frequency response of the SansEC sensor. An experimental setup comprising of SansEC sensors mounted on the wings of a flexible
model aircraft is constructed, and this model is subjected to static load tests, as well as tests in a wind tunnel. Analysis of thr frequency
response measurements of the SansEC sensor demonstrate a strong correlation between wing deflections and the frequency response of
the sensor, and significant promise towards use of these frequency shifts for measuring wing deflections in morphing aircraft applications.

KNOWLEDGE-AIDED PROCESSING FOR MULTIPATH EXPLOITATION RADAR (MER)
The tracking performance achieved during the recently concluded effort entitled Multipath Exploitation Radar (MER) is examined. The
goal of the program was to determine if multipath, normally considered to be a serious impediment to radar performance, could be exploited to enable persistent Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI) surveillance of urban areas with a small constellation of airborne
platforms in generally non-line-of-sight (NLOS) settings. The MER Phase I data, algorithm development, and the structure of the new
tracking approach developed for MER and the means by which it yields exceptional target localization are described and summarized.
Contrary to the expected results, excellent tracking performance was achieved during the Blind Data Test.

ELECTRONICS AND VISION SYSTEM OF A PROJECTILE-DRONE HYBRID SYSTEM (GLMAV)
Within the framework of the protection of citizen and of vital infrastructures and networks, the French-German Research Institute of
Saint Louis (ISL) proposed an innovative concept of a miniature air vehicle: it is a question of launching from a dedicated portable tube, a
subsonic projectile which is transformed into a Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) once arrived over the site to be observed. Such a hybrid system,
named Gun Launch Micro Air Vehicle (GLMAV), is devoted to any form of surveillance and observation of people and infrastructures by
air, thanks to its embedded vision system with real-time image transmission. This paper describes the electronics and vision system of the
GLMAV, an embedded electronics system dedicated to the real-time control of the actuators using high-level instructions coming from
the ground station and from sensors measurements.

STUDENT RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT: GYRO-AIDED VISUAL TRACKING USING ITERATIVE EARTH MOVER'S DISTANCE
Visual tracking is an important problem in the field of robotics, especially for the cameras mounted on agile flying robots. In this article, a
new visual tracking algorithm called iterative earth mover's distance (EMD) (iEMD) based on optimization of the EMD between templates is
presented. The general idea of the gyro-aided iEMD tracking algorithm is to combine the image frames from the camera with the angular rate
generated by the gyroscope for visual tracking. Synchronization of the camera and the gyroscope in time is required. The spatial relationship
between the camera and the gyroscope must also be pre-calibrated. Then, the angular rate generated by the gyroscope is applied to compensate for the ego-motion of the camera. After the compensation of the egomotion of the camera, the iEMD tracker is applied for tracking.

AESS HISTORICAL INTERVIEW: ONE-ON-ONE WITH HUGH GRIFFITHS
In this sixth historical interview, a fascinating conversation with Hugh Griffiths by Lorenzo Lo Monte, both valued members of the IEEE
Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society (AESS), AESS offers our members insight into the people behind the many great contributions
that grace our field. While these interviews will document historical events, they are also intended to give readers insights into the events
and critical decisions that shaped the research, technical accomplishments, and career of our society's most legendary contributors. Prof.
Hugh Griffiths holds the THALES/Royal Academy Chair of RF Sensors in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at
University College London, England. His career is impressive, full of achievements, discoveries, awards, and honors.

IEEE A&E SYSTEMS MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine October 2017