Application of distributed artificial intelligence in complex modular critical applications

This report provides an overview of the emerging technology Distributed Artificial Intelligence, in particular in the area of Distributed Problem Solving (DPS). DPS refers to coarse-grained (task-level) problem decomposition resulting in a number of expert or knowledge-based systems, generally called agents of which each exhibits some...

Programme and real-time operations simulation support tool prosim

The Programme and Real-time Operations SIMulation support tool PROSIM is a generic simulation tool that can be used for design, verification, test and training of a wide range of applications, such as aircraft and groimd vehicles. PROSIM originated as part of the National Simulation Facility NSF at the Dutch National Aerospace Laboratoiy NLR, a...

System design for ARTEMIS environmental monitoring

This paper describes aspects of system design applied to the ARTEMIS environmental monitoring system of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The design aspects are derived from characteristics of the monitoring function and are based on methods of rainfall and vegetation monitoring from satellite observations which...

Flexible space-based robot modelling and real-time simulation

The Hermes manipulation system (HERA) is a sophisticated space manipulator system, which has to perform tasks ranging from berthing to tool operation in various operational modes from fully automatic to purely manual. Development and qualification of such a space-based manipulator must be supported by computer simulation facilities. The HERA...

The real-time Hermes robot arm simulator: HSF-P

The Hermes manipulation system (HERA) is a sophisticated space manipulator system, which has to perform tasks ranging from berthing to tool operation in various operational modes from fully automatic to purely manual. The HERA system main contractor is Fokker Space & Systems B.V. (FSS). Development and qualification of such a space-based...

A measurement system for production flight tests of new aircraft

Today there is an increasing pressure on the fast delivery of a newly manufactured aircraft and on the strict guarding of its performance figures. It is therefore essential to reduce the necessary time between completion of the new aircraft and the moment of deliverance to an airline. This means that production flight testing time must be...

On the feasibility of applying robot vision to proximity extraction based on one camera in space

Existing robot vision algorithms are evaluated for application in space for proximity extraction using one camera. Lighting conditions and image formation differ from earth conditions which have implications. An algorithm is derived which is based on the use of run coding, tracking and a least mean error method. Problems concerning hardware...

Studie naar de opzet van een nationaal ERS-1 datacentrum - Phase-A/B study of a national ERS-1 data centre

Within the framework of the National Remote Sensing Programme and under contract with the Netherlands Remote Sensing Board (BCRS), the National Aerospace Laboratory NLR has carried out a Phase-A/B study of a national ERS-1 data and information centre. The first European Remote Sensing Satellite (ERS-1) is due to be launched by the European Space...

Modelling and simulation of a rate controlled manipulator ARM

The mathematical model of a space based manipulator arm with a rate controlled end effector is defined and the recursive algorithms for the computation of the basic djmamic functions are formulated. A digital simulation of this system is implemented and preliminary results are presented. Actual running times for the simulation In a VAX 750...

On-line superposition of geographical data to tiros-N type meteorological satellite images

A method is described, by which geographical data are superposed in real time to the high resolution HRPT imagery, received from the TIROS-N series satellites. The superposition of additional geographical data is important for an accurate position determination of the image data. Computations necessary for the transformation, conversion and...

Experimentele vortex analysator

A measuring system is described for detection and analyses of aircraft wake vortices in the approach zone of a runway. This system consists of propeller anemometers, a data-acquisition unit, a quick-look monitor and a NOVA minicomputer with a real-time vortex detection program. A short description of aircraft wake vortices is also given. Some...

Dissemination of ERS-a low bitrate data and the use od L-band receiving stations

The dissemination of ERS-1 real-time thematic products via the Global Telecommunication System, the ECS satellite telecom system or the Eiuronet packet switching network is analysed and evaluated against the use of direct-receive L-band stations as used for NOAA weather image reception.

Image data security in the concept of the agricultural real time imaging satellite system (artiss)

The study on image data security is directed to the requirement for exclusive access to satellite imagery in the concept of the Agricultiiral Real Time Imaging Satellite System (ARTISS). The security assessment indicates that user survey requests are handled confidentially and it shows the access vulnerability of the transmission of image data...

An hierarchic multi-suppliers computer network of a research laboratory with two settlements

For the aerospace laboratory NLR in the Netherlands the considerations are discussed that formed the basis of along-term plan to realize an optimal computer network. In the optimization process up to now the laboratory switched from a situation in which in each of both settlements one central close shop computer centre was available to a...