Monitoring the current trajectories of autonomous heavy platforms moving along the quarry routes of mining enterprises
Authors: Chicherin I.V. , Fedosenkov B.A. , Dubinkin D.M. 
Published: November 2021

In order to obtain information about the generated current trajectories (CT) of unmanned mining dump trucks, in the software and hardware complexes of the computer-aided dispatching system (in the external control subsystem and the autonomous control subsystem) installed on-board of an (AHP), one-dimensional (scalar) continuous signals (hereinafter converted into discrete digital ones) with a time-dependent instantaneous frequency, the so-called chirp signals, are put in accordance with the current trajectories of the AHP. This approach makes it possible to continuously monitor and manage the dynamics of current AHP trajectories with a high degree of efficiency. Note that for the purpose of information-rich and semantically transparent representation of information about the current state of the AHP CT, the chirp signals of the CT are converted into multidimensional Cohen’s class time-frequency wavelet distributions. The Wigner-Ville distribution (hereinafter referred to as the Wigner distribution) is selected as a working tool for performing computational procedures in the hardware / software module. This distribution is based on the Gabor basis wavelet functions and the wavelet matching pursuit algorithm. The choice of Gabor wavelets as the main ones is explained by their sinusoidal-like shape, since they are sinusoidal signals modulated by the Gauss window. On the other hand, the analyzed 1D-signals indicating the current position of the AHP on the route are also sinusoidal-like. This makes it possible to approximate current signals with high accuracy based on their comparison with the wavelet functions selected from the redundant wavelet dictionary. This approximation is adaptive, since it is performed on separate local fragments of the signal analyzed depending on approximating wavelets. This is the essence of the wavelet matching pursuit algorithm. The resulting wavelet series is then transformed into the Wigner time-frequency distribution, which is used to form a corresponding CT. As an example, reconstructions of time-frequency distributions (TFD) are given, corresponding to the deviation of a certain CT to the left (the trajectory signal decreases exponentially) and to the right (the CT-signal increases) from the nominal axial trajectory (NAT). The calculated scalar signal and its TFD for the AHP CT deviating to the left from NAT are also presented. In addition, on the basis of theoretical explanations the calculated linear-increasing TFD is demonstrated, corresponding to the CT-deviation to the right from NAT, and the time invariant stationary TFD characterizing the movement of AHP along the NAT line. In conclusion, based on the results obtained, it is concluded that the most appropriate ways to monitor the current trajectories of AHP movement and procedures for processing the corresponding signals are the operations implemented in computer-aided subsystems of external and autonomous control and based on such concepts as the Cohen’s class wavelet distributions, Gabor redundant dictionary of wavelet functions, the wavelet matching pursuit algorithm, and the representation of technological chirp-signals, as well as frequency-stationary signals about the current AHP trajectories represented in the wavelet medium. In this connection, the authors concluded that the procedures realizing the current monitoring of AHP movement on open pit mine routes and implementing the process of analyzing a relevant dynamic change in current trajectories, described in the article and embedded in software and hardware autonomous and external control subsystems of “Smart quarry” are adequate for performing required functions. The introduction of the principles of computer-aided controlling the unmanned mining vehicles allows you to optimize labor costs for the operation of mining equipment, reduce the cost of current work, and attract highly qualified specialists for the development and operation of innovative transport equipment.