American GNC Corporation
Product Series
The STI enables deploying wireless smart sensors and/or advanced communication interfaces. Based on the selected configuration, the STI can be set up as either: (1) a smart sensor node with advanced data acquisition and embedded processing features or (2) a communication bridge (with wired, wireless RF, or wireless ultrasound through solid barrier options). The STI is “smart” because: it includes a digital core with machine-readable Transducer Electronic Data Sheets (TEDS); the control and data associated with transducers are digital; triggering, status, and control are provided to support integration of legacy or new transducers into the STI; and intelligent software functions (such as embedded sensor data signal processing, sensor validation, neural network classification) are included.
The AISTS is a comprehensive smart sensor that was built to access, upload, and download data from areas that are not traditionally accessible due to metal enclosures or barriers. This technology utilizes advanced sensing schemes (based on temperature and vibration measurements with low-power activity detection sleep modes along with active measurement modes) that are customizable for applications that have a need to monitor, analyze, or maintain assets under demanding constraints. The non-intrusive AISTS has through-metal data and energy transferal capability by ultrasound, but it can also be easily setup with conventional powering and communication electronics. The device can last between charges for 1 month (active) up to 1 year (sleep) with a miniature 450 mAh rechargeable battery.
This ultra low power, miniaturized (down to 1.7"x1.7"x1.1"), and multi-functional Smart Sensor provides high performance functions with robust data acquisition, an IEEE 1451 software stack (standard communication protocol, fault detection awareness, and TEDS management); flexible on-board communications (I2C, UART, IrDA, SPI, and RS232); and wireless communications (ZigBee).The CRE-SSN allows sensing one or more physical variables based on analog or digital transducers that can be easily attached to it. In addition to the baseline available sensing options (temperature, pressure, and flow rate sensing of fluids in pipes) the CRE-SSN can be used for enhancing the capabilities of a user's current sensors (retrofitting). This is a customizable, low-cost sensor node that can be tailored for applications that require optimized power consumption, size, weight, and very specific advanced processing capabilities. An easy to use friendly graphical user interface expedites sensor deployment and testing.
This health monitoring software toolset expedites signal and vibration analysis by providing communication to sensors, data acquisition, visualization and signal processing, access to a library of preprocessing algorithms, datalog generation capability, feature selection, and the generation of training and testing files for applying the Optimized Neuro Genetic Fast Estimator's (ONGFE) fast learning algorithms for neural network training. This software is designed for operation with our smart sensors such as the CRE-SSN but can also work on datalogs. It includes time, frequency, and wavelet analysis based algorithms and features for characterizing the acquired sensor data and waveforms.
The Smart Wireless Network is a complete systems health monitoring solution based on AGNC's smart sensor and intelligent processing technologies. A network of sensor nodes (e.g. Smart Transducer Integrators, STIs) may conduct data acquisition (sensors) or control (actuators) and wirelessly transfer data over ZigBee communication links to a coordinator Network Capable Application Processor (NCAP). Then over an Ethernet (WLAN, LAN, WiFi) link, a user may access the system with a Graphical User Interface/Man Machine Interface (MMI). The system can also accommodate sensing in areas isolated by metal barriers (e.g. pressurized tanks) based on its wireless ultrasonic power and data transfer technology. Applications include Condition Based Maintenance, Structural Health Monitoring, Machinery Monitoring, Fluid Systems Monitoring, and more
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The coremicro® Robots serve as ideal platforms for integrating new technologies that reduce operator workload and increase autonomy. Capabilities include target detection and tracking, obstacle avoidance, localization, terrain mapping, route formulation, resource allocation, among many others. Applications include: (i) GPS-denied and unstructured navigation; (ii) surveillance and reconnaissance; (iii) medical and triage support in the field; (iv) layered sensing for military command and control; and (v) terrain analysis and classification by computer vision. The resulting intelligent remotely controlled station system components consist of the following robotic systems and functionalities:
• Coremicro Robot with a ruggedized differential tracked system
• Coremicro Robot Control Processor
• Coremicro Sensor Fusion Processor
• Coremicro Image Processor
• Coremicro 4D GIS – Operator Control Unit
• Camera/Laser Range Finder Gimbaled System
• Turret System or Multiple Degree of Freedom Arm
4D GIS is an integrated system which brings together the various components, subsystems within AGNC's coremicro product line. This software provides the user a GIS based, three dimensional virtual/augmented reality interfaces for controlling, monitoring and prediction of manned/unmanned systems. The realistic 3D visualization engine introduces enhanced situation awareness to the operator. With the transmission of onboard sensor measurements, the operators acquire the local measurements as if they are right on the spot. To manipulate multiple robots in Coremicro 4D GIS, several standardized communication protocols such as JAUS and STANAG are made compatible. The Coremicro 4D GIS also allows predetermined customized protocols for accessing and controlling multiple unmanned vehicles, sensors, and manipulators. The software serves as an Operation Control Unit (OCU) with a simple intuitive control utilizing the combination of the head tracker for gimbaled control and a controller for moving the Coremicro Robot. Alternatively, robots can be moved based on a sequence of waypoints, where the robot onboard GPS and INS navigtion technologies ensure that these waypoints are succesfully met.
"The world's smallest(1999)" IMU with microelectromechanical system (MEMS)
The AGNC-2000CMIMU coremicro IMU is a fully self-contained motion sensing unit ideal for various communication, instrumentation, guidance, navigation, and control applications. It provides angle increments, velocity increments, a time base (sync) in three axes, and is capable of withstanding high vibration and accelerations. Applications include land navigation, automobiles, personal navigators, robotics and marine vehicles, etc. The AGNC coremicro IMU uses advanced MEMS angle rate and accelerometers combined with precision interface circuitry and digital conversion to achieve accurate angle increment and velocity increment sensing. The device provides a simple all digital serial interface for ease of connection to additional system components. The inertial data provided by this unit establishes a frame of reference for the equipment to which it is affixed. The frame is defined by the sensitive axis of each of the six sensors and provides all three dimensions of motion sensing.
Based on the coremicro IMU and advanced navigation processing, the AGNC-coremicro-UNCU Universal Navigation and Control Unit was developed as a versatile implementation platform for guidance, navigation, control, and communications (GNCC) system development. It can be configured and tailored into a series of commercial products and provides a responsive and high-performance integration platform with flexible interface controls. The coremicro integrated AHRS/INS technology consists of MEMS inertial sensors for acceleration and angular rate sensing along with an integrated Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) and Inertial Navigation System (INS) processing for navigation with flexible interfaces (USB and RS-232 interface ports for sensors and host computer communications).
The coremicro UNCU1 combines a GPS receiver, coremicro IMU, as well as a processor module with embedded software for Attitude and Heading Reference (AHRS) capabilities. The unit outputs three position coordinates (latitude, longitude, and altitude), three velocity vectors (north, east, and down), and three attitudes (pitch, roll, and heading), with a position accuracy of about 3 meters (in GPS only mode and within the coverage of WAAS services). Connecting the UNCU1 to a PC permits the display of position time histories for information and study. The UNCU1 can be mounted on vehicles to provide real-time position, orientation, motion, and navigational information. The unit's power supply ranges between 9 and 28 Volts; its user interface can be either USB or RS-232.
The UNCUEO comprises electro-optical (EO) sensors, stereo cameras, a MEMS IMU, GPS receiver, laser ranger/LIDAR, preprocessing module, segmentation module, detection module, recognition module, 3D positioning module, and tracking module. Autonomous, reliable and real time object positioning and tracking can be achieved with this suite of sensors. The UNCUEO can be used to provide location measurements of an object from a sequence of images. This unit is ideal for mounting on autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles based on its integrated positioning, navigation, and computer vision technology.
coremicro Navigators
The coremicro Navigators provide interruption-free navigation when GPS is not available. AGNC's patented work and products are responsible for the development of these interruption-free navigation and tracking methods and systems which exhibit high accuracy even where GPS signals are not available. The interruption-free method and system can receive, but does not rely, on GPS signals. Without GPS signals, the system provides a highly accurate positioning and attitude solution. The system is highly useful in areas where GPS signals are not available, such as, under high jamming environments.
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coremicro Land Navigator AGNC-coremicro-LN
Based on AGNC’s coremicro IMU and proprietary GPS/IMU integration technology, the Land Navigator is designed for land navigation. Its configuration is flexible and is able to incorporate external signals from sensors in the vehicle and its carrier, such as an odometer. Because of its small size, low cost, and light weight, the Land Navigator has wide applications in guidance, navigation, control, and communications (GNCC) of automotive vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles, robots etc. The system navigation accuracy is about 3 meters (within the coverage of WAAS services). When there is no GPS signal available, AGNC's proprietary integration technology and sensor calibration methods are used for system processing.
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coremicro Air Navigator AGNC-coremicro-AN
Based on AGNC’s coremicro IMU and proprietary fully-coupled GPS/IMU processing technique, the Air Navigator achieves an unparalleled high-accuracy and high-dynamic performance that meets navigation requirements of most aircraft applications. The interfaces of the system are configurable and external data from onboard avionics are easily incorporated into the navigation solution to enhance the performance and reliability. The typical applications of the AN include guidance, navigation, control, and communications (GNCC) of aircraft, helicopter, unmanned air vehicles (UAV), spacecraft, launch vehicles, balloon platforms, etc.
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coremicro Marine Navigator AGNC-coremicro-MN
Based on AGNC’s coremicro IMU and proprietary GPS/IMU integration technology, the Marine Navigator is designed for marine navigation. Its configuration is flexible and is able to incorporate external signals from sensors in the vehicle and its carrier, such as acoustic sensors. Its typical applications include: unmanned underwater vehicles, sea microrovers, underwater robots, small boats etc.
- coremicro Land and Water Navigator AGNC-coremicro-LWN
It is designed for amphibious vehicle navigation with the combination of the Land Navigator and the Marine Navigator through application-specific integration. Navigation sensors are calibrated and tuned to fit the LWN applications.
The coremicro PS is based on coremicro IMU angular measurements and closed loop control technologies. It stabilizes the attitude of a sensor on a platform and makes the sensor stationary with respect to inertial space or moves according to the input command. The interference induced by the motion of the platform is eliminated by the stabilization mechanism. The typical applications of the Pointing and Stabilization Mechanism include pointing and stabilization control of antennas, telescopes, remote sensors, optical communications on a moving base, etc.
Applications include: (a) Antennas for wireless communication systems; (b) Radar beams; (c) Laser beam, laser pointing systems; (d) Measurement devices for land surveying; (e) Optical pointing cameras; (f) Optical communication devices; (g) Telescope systems; (e) Imaging systems
The coremicro Robust Kalman Filter (RKF) is designed to provide outstanding performance for the estimation and filtering of data sets and associated variables. A typical RKF application system comprises a set of sensor or database derived input data, an RKF unit, and host computer/application facilities. The RKF can be used to provide state estimates related to the particular application or to accurately estimate variables, such as, position and velocity for trajectory reconstruction. The software supports Linear and Nonlinear state models, Linear and Nonlinear measurement models, and customer specific algorithms. The RKF is available as a hardware unit with convenient interfaces between real-time data streams and a PC (USB) or as a software package only.
The AGNC coremicro® Robot Control Processor is based on an efficient, state of the art embedded processor that provides JAUS compliant interface to the coremicro Robot’s sensors and actuators over an IP network. The modular architecture of the CRCP makes it easy to reconfigure its interface to new hardware and robots. Combined with the AGNC CSFP, AGNC provides a powerful and efficient system for the teleoperation /autonomous robot control.
The AGNC coremicro® Sensor Fusion Processor is an efficient, state of the art embedded processor that provides a clean and simple interface to the robot sensors, such as LIDAR scanners, GPS/IMU, encoders, Laser Range finders, Cameras, and more. Working with the AGNC CRCP, the CSFP provides sensor fusion and communication for the teleoperation /autonomous robot control.
The AGNC-GMSS is a suite of tools for testing, modeling, analysis, and simulation that can greatly facilitate the development and evaluation of gyrocompassing based Precision Azimuth and Vertical Angle Measurement (PAVAM) systems and other azimuth and attitude determination devices and modules. The Gyrocompass Modeling and Simulation System (GMSS) which is especially developed for these systems is used as a virtual laboratory to provide a suite of software modules to simulate a detailed anatomy of a PAVAM system. Users can perform any kind of virtual experiments they desire as to explore the behavior of a PAVAM system design under different combinations of conditions for motion, sensor accuracy, and processing algorithms. The GMSS can perform many virtual experiments that are costly or even impossible in a real hardware system test.
The IMU Real-Time Simulator is designed to dramatically reduce the need to perform expensive and time-consuming field trials for testing, evaluating and qualifying vehicles with Inertial Measurement Units (IMU). Parametric inputs allow the system under test to accommodate the specific configuration of interest, including motion description, vibration model, environmental model, sensor and system error model and parameter estimation considerations. Real-time hardware-in-the-loop evaluations and general purpose off-line simulations are accommodated. The RTIS receives real-time flight data from the 6 DOF flight simulator and generates IMU electronic signals according to the IMU measurement models and error models defined by the user. Emulated electronic signals are injected into the installed avionics system which causes the on-board GNC system computer into "thinking" that the vehicle is actually flying. Now available as a portable PC software application without requiring the hardware workstation.
The GPS/IMU REALTIME SIMULATOR is designed to dramatically reduce the need to perform expensive and time-consuming field trials for testing, evaluating and qualifying vehicles with IMU and GPS integrated systems. Parametric inputs allow the system under test to accommodate the specific configuration of interest, including motion description, vibration model, environmental model, sensor and system error model and parameter estimation considerations. Real-time hardware-in-the-loop evaluations and general purpose off-line simulations are readily accommodated. The RTGIS receives real-time data from the 6DOF trajectory generator and simulates IMU and GPS electronic signals according to the GPS/IMU measurement models and error models defined by the user. Simulated electronic signals are injected into the installed avionics system, which causes the on-board GNC system computer into "thinking" that the vehicle is actually flying, or driving, or sailing. The RTGIS also simulates a nearby reference site and performs real-time differential GPS positioning for the vehicle. Now available as a portable PC software application without requiring the hardware workstation.
