Session
Technical Poster Session I
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
The traditional Monte Carlo based approaches to Verification & Validation (V&V) of Guidance Navigation and Control (GN&C) algorithms suffers from drawbacks, including typically requiring a significant amount of computational resources to guarantee a candidate algorithm’s appropriateness. Formal approaches to V&V of GN&C algorithms can help address these is-sues as they are not based on simulation. Therefore, we are investigating and developing an innovative formal V&V algorithm for spacecraft GN&C, specifically in the determination of safety of maneuvers for satellite Remote Proximity Operations and Docking (RPOD). Formal V&V methods could provide rigorous and quantifiable assurances of safety for a given satellite maneuver without the need to perform extensive simulations, enhancing the autonomous decision-making capability of a spacecraft with limited computational resources. The research leverages a novel approach to the forward stochastic reachability analysis problem utilizing Fourier transforms. Initial results indicate quantifiable assurance of safety for a maneuvering satellite reach and reach-avoid problem can be achieved that match (sometimes conservatively) the Monte Carlo runs but use up to three or more orders of magnitude less computation resources.
A Formal Approach to Verification and Validation of Guidance, Navigation, and Control Algorithms
Utah State University, Logan, UT
The traditional Monte Carlo based approaches to Verification & Validation (V&V) of Guidance Navigation and Control (GN&C) algorithms suffers from drawbacks, including typically requiring a significant amount of computational resources to guarantee a candidate algorithm’s appropriateness. Formal approaches to V&V of GN&C algorithms can help address these is-sues as they are not based on simulation. Therefore, we are investigating and developing an innovative formal V&V algorithm for spacecraft GN&C, specifically in the determination of safety of maneuvers for satellite Remote Proximity Operations and Docking (RPOD). Formal V&V methods could provide rigorous and quantifiable assurances of safety for a given satellite maneuver without the need to perform extensive simulations, enhancing the autonomous decision-making capability of a spacecraft with limited computational resources. The research leverages a novel approach to the forward stochastic reachability analysis problem utilizing Fourier transforms. Initial results indicate quantifiable assurance of safety for a maneuvering satellite reach and reach-avoid problem can be achieved that match (sometimes conservatively) the Monte Carlo runs but use up to three or more orders of magnitude less computation resources.
