Continuous-Curvature Path Generation Using Fermat's Spiral

Autor: Anastasios M. Lekkas, Andreas Reason Dahl, Morten Breivik, Thor I. Fossen
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2013
Předmět:
Zdroj: Modeling, Identification and Control, Vol 34, Iss 4, Pp 183-198 (2013)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 0332-7353
1890-1328
DOI: 10.4173/mic.2013.4.3
Popis: This paper proposes a novel methodology, based on Fermat's spiral (FS), for constructing curvature-continuous parametric paths in a plane. FS has a zero curvature at its origin, a property that allows it to be connected with a straight line smoothly, that is, without the curvature discontinuity which occurs at the transition point between a line and a circular arc when constructing Dubins paths. Furthermore, contrary to the computationally expensive clothoids, FS is described by very simple parametric equations that are trivial to compute. On the downside, computing the length of an FS arc involves a Gaussian hypergeometric function. However, this function is absolutely convergent and it is also shown that it poses no restrictions to the domain within which the length can be calculated. In addition, we present an alternative parametrization of FS which eliminates the parametric speed singularity at the origin, hence making the spiral suitable for path-tracking applications. A detailed description of how to construct curvature-continuous paths with FS is given.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals