A Photogrammetry-Based Hybrid System for Dynamic Tracking and Measurement

<p>Noncontact measurements of lightweight flexible aerospace structures present several challenges. Objects are usually mounted on a test stand because current noncontact measurement techniques require that the net motion of the object be zero. However it is often desirable to take measurements of the object under operational conditions and in the case of miniature aerial vehicles (MAVs) and deploying space structures the test article will undergo significant translational motion. This thesis describes a hybrid noncontact measurement system which will enable measurement of structural kinematics of an object freely moving about a volume. By using a real-time videogrammetry system a set of pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras is coordinated to track large-scale net motion and produce high speed high quality images for photogrammetric surface reconstruction. The design of the system is presented in detail. A method of generating the calibration parameters for the PTZ cameras is presented and evaluated and is shown to produce good results. The results of camera synchronization tests and tracking accuracy evaluation are presented as well. Finally a demonstration of the hybrid system is presented in which all four PTZ cameras track an MAV in flight.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>