The BisonCore is a system from the UAS Research Center that adds new and cutting-edge technology to commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) uncrewed systems (UxS). The BisonCore is a “Multi‐Role Autonomous Vehicle Augmentation System” specifically designed to accommodate Science Payloads & Missions. The system adds a multitude of capabilities that are not available on either Department of Interior (DOI) or approved industry platforms. These capabilities enable the use of simplistic UxS to perform complex and interwoven tasks. This greatly improves the DOI’s UxS mission sets and broadens the available scientific observational capabilities. The system can also help centers reduce spending on new and expensive systems by extended the service-life and augmenting sundowning or retiring UxS, due to their lack of technological capabilities.
The BisonCore system brings edge computing to existing UxS, and uniquely enables the platforms to operate beneficial to the science payload(s) and data collection.
Low‐Capability UxS now become ‘Smart’ UxS using the BisonCore, greatly increasing their capability including:
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Payload Directed Operations
-
Collision Detection Features
-
Collision Avoidance Features
-
GPS Denied Navigation
-
Multi‐Vehicle Formation Operations
-
Multi‐Vehicle independent Operation
-
Cross Platform Operations (UxS)
-
Ground Station live view payload data and GUI
-
Future Feature Compatibility/Other – system is designed such that new technology can be implemented with just one additional program.
The BisonCore Software Architecture is installed on a companion computer and can communicate with sensors, payloads, and the UxS autopilot (if enough sensors are present, the BisonCore also has the capability to be its own autopilot). Each capability of the BisonCore is a callable program, or array of programs, that work to provide the functionality required by each mission set. To do this, the system’s architecture is written into the operating image of the companion computer, such that both the hardware and software within the computer are available for use by BisonCore system. Due to the diverse operational needs of the system, it functions and accepts programs written in CPP, Python, ROS, JavaScript, CSS, HTML, and some Ubuntu programs or kernels.
Each capability functions through the BisonCore system to output information based on the mission set. For example: the Collision Detection Avoidance programs utilize a multitude of sensors, Computer Vision neural networks, LiDar, etc., outputing information to the Autopilot to avoid and navigate around obstacles. If operating a multi-vehicle operation, then this information can be relayed to a following vehicle through the BisonCore so that it can make corrective and positive maneuvers ahead of time. Therefore, illustrating the scalability of the System to adapt to the mission specific needs.
Instead of creating a new system for each mission, the BisonCore is unique in its ability to run various programs independent of the other. This makes BisonCore highly adaptable, with an ecosystem that can not only run singular mission specific programs, but also run numerous programs simultaneously to match each mission need. This coincides with minimal project downtime between different scientific objectives, to even the possibility of changing a project’s objectives on-the-fly.
An ecosystem that is tailored for a science payload can dynamically improve data collection and mission success. For example: instead of just using a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) system built for overwatch to do source identification, the BisonCore system can augment the UxS to maneuver in a scientifically beneficial way—like tailoring the flight plan according the data (no need to repurpose the loitering selfie function for science), delegating work with another UxS to improve data collection coverage, or even operate in areas that require onboard terrain avoidance capability.
New scientific opportunities can emerge from utilizing this augmentation technology. For example, two uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) outfitted with Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) where one is transmitting, and the other is receiving, will be able to fly in close formation with one another. Utilizing the same system, receive input from the GPR payload, and communicate to a ground rover (also outfitted with BisonCore) to observe or collect a sample from a point of interest the two UAVs determined.
The BisonCore system can aid in finding sources faster, covering more area or faster using multiple UxS, collecting airborne and terrestrial data at the same location and time for attenuation or air column studies, cross platform operations that touch different domains, edge computing for limited live sensor processing, UxS system diagnostics while operating in caustic or dangerous environments, collecting data near obstacles, and many more opportunities.
The BisonCore is a system from the UAS Research Center that adds new and cutting-edge technology to commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) uncrewed systems (UxS). The BisonCore is a “Multi‐Role Autonomous Vehicle Augmentation System” specifically designed to accommodate Science Payloads & Missions. The system adds a multitude of capabilities that are not available on either Department of Interior (DOI) or approved industry platforms. These capabilities enable the use of simplistic UxS to perform complex and interwoven tasks. This greatly improves the DOI’s UxS mission sets and broadens the available scientific observational capabilities. The system can also help centers reduce spending on new and expensive systems by extended the service-life and augmenting sundowning or retiring UxS, due to their lack of technological capabilities.
The BisonCore system brings edge computing to existing UxS, and uniquely enables the platforms to operate beneficial to the science payload(s) and data collection.
Low‐Capability UxS now become ‘Smart’ UxS using the BisonCore, greatly increasing their capability including:
-
Payload Directed Operations
-
Collision Detection Features
-
Collision Avoidance Features
-
GPS Denied Navigation
-
Multi‐Vehicle Formation Operations
-
Multi‐Vehicle independent Operation
-
Cross Platform Operations (UxS)
-
Ground Station live view payload data and GUI
-
Future Feature Compatibility/Other – system is designed such that new technology can be implemented with just one additional program.
The BisonCore Software Architecture is installed on a companion computer and can communicate with sensors, payloads, and the UxS autopilot (if enough sensors are present, the BisonCore also has the capability to be its own autopilot). Each capability of the BisonCore is a callable program, or array of programs, that work to provide the functionality required by each mission set. To do this, the system’s architecture is written into the operating image of the companion computer, such that both the hardware and software within the computer are available for use by BisonCore system. Due to the diverse operational needs of the system, it functions and accepts programs written in CPP, Python, ROS, JavaScript, CSS, HTML, and some Ubuntu programs or kernels.
Each capability functions through the BisonCore system to output information based on the mission set. For example: the Collision Detection Avoidance programs utilize a multitude of sensors, Computer Vision neural networks, LiDar, etc., outputing information to the Autopilot to avoid and navigate around obstacles. If operating a multi-vehicle operation, then this information can be relayed to a following vehicle through the BisonCore so that it can make corrective and positive maneuvers ahead of time. Therefore, illustrating the scalability of the System to adapt to the mission specific needs.
Instead of creating a new system for each mission, the BisonCore is unique in its ability to run various programs independent of the other. This makes BisonCore highly adaptable, with an ecosystem that can not only run singular mission specific programs, but also run numerous programs simultaneously to match each mission need. This coincides with minimal project downtime between different scientific objectives, to even the possibility of changing a project’s objectives on-the-fly.
An ecosystem that is tailored for a science payload can dynamically improve data collection and mission success. For example: instead of just using a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) system built for overwatch to do source identification, the BisonCore system can augment the UxS to maneuver in a scientifically beneficial way—like tailoring the flight plan according the data (no need to repurpose the loitering selfie function for science), delegating work with another UxS to improve data collection coverage, or even operate in areas that require onboard terrain avoidance capability.
New scientific opportunities can emerge from utilizing this augmentation technology. For example, two uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) outfitted with Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) where one is transmitting, and the other is receiving, will be able to fly in close formation with one another. Utilizing the same system, receive input from the GPR payload, and communicate to a ground rover (also outfitted with BisonCore) to observe or collect a sample from a point of interest the two UAVs determined.
The BisonCore system can aid in finding sources faster, covering more area or faster using multiple UxS, collecting airborne and terrestrial data at the same location and time for attenuation or air column studies, cross platform operations that touch different domains, edge computing for limited live sensor processing, UxS system diagnostics while operating in caustic or dangerous environments, collecting data near obstacles, and many more opportunities.