Autopilot using differential thrust for ARIES autonomous underwater vehicle
Authors
Sarton, Christopher J.
Subjects
Advisors
Healey, Anthony J.
Date of Issue
2003-06
Date
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Future underwater missions will require data transmission via satellite. In particular, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) is interested in experimenting with communications using the GOES satellite system, which is government owned. Unfortunately, communication antennas must point to specific satellites in this system and thus underwater vehicles must steer a specific course on the surface during the communication process. While surfaced, underwater vehicles are subject to wind and wave disturbances and it has been suggested that control using differential thrust from propellers may provide advantages. This thesis covers efforts to create and test such a steering autopilot based on the use of the ARIES AUV and differing the voltage supplied to each propeller. It is planned to use the ARIES in an ocean experiment to test this satellite communication capability. This control is embedded in the control of ARIES during extended pop up maneuvers for GPS navigational fixes. When surfaced, not only are navigational fixes obtained, but also data packets are communicated to a command center.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Mechanical Engineering
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funding
Format
xiv, 45 p. : ill. (some col.) ;
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.