Adaptive remote sensing techniques implementing swarms of mobile agents
Stewart M. Cameron, G.M. Loubriel, Rush D. Robinett, Keith M. Stantz, Michael W. Trahan, J.S. Wagner · Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE · 1999
Measurement and signal intelligence of the battlespace has created new requirements in information management, communication and interoperability as they effect surveillance and situational awareness. In many situations, stand-off remote-sensing and hazard-interdiction techniques over realistic operational areas are often impractical and difficult to characterize. An alternative approach is to implement adaptive remote-sensing techniques with swarms of mobile agents employing collective behavior for optimization of mapping signatures and positional orientation (registration). We have expanded intelligent control theory using physics-based collective behavior models and genetic algorithms to produce a uniquely powerful implementation of distributed ground-based measurement incorporating both local collective behavior, and niter-operative global optimization for sensor fusion and mission oversight. By using a layered hierarchical control architecture to orchestrate adaptive reconfiguration of semi-autonomous robotic agents, we can improve overall robustness and functionality in dynamic tactical environments without information bottlenecking.