Dr. Scott L. Nykl, Professor of Computer Science
Scott Nykl is a Professor of Computer Science at the Air Force Institute of Technology. His areas of interest are Real Time 3D Computer Graphics, computer vision, sensor fusion, parallel processing, Interactive Virtual Worlds, and computer networking. Throughout his graduate studies, he authored a 3D Visualization Engine and created avionics-related visualizations earning several national awards including mention in Forbe's "The Greatest Young Inventors In America". He was a National Collegiate Inventor’s Competition finalist as well as the Institution of Navigation (ION) graduate student award recipient. While earning his doctorate, he worked at Ohio University’s Avionics Engineering Center and focused on creating novel virtual visualizations & simulations of flights in real time. Throughout his Master’s degree, he was a National Science Foundation (NSF) Fellow. His undergraduate degree was in Software Engineering at the University of Wisconsin – Platteville, summa cum laude.
Education
2008–2013 Doctorate of Philosophy, COMPUTER SCIENCE, Ohio University, Athens, OH.
Summa cum laude, GPA: 4.0/4.0
Dissertation Title: Interactive Mesostructures
2011–2012 Master of Science, COMPUTER SCIENCE, Ohio University, Athens, OH.
Summa cum laude, GPA: 4.0/4.0
Thesis Title: High-Fidelity Distributed Physics for Continuous Interactive VirtualWorlds Using Server Clusters
2002–2006 Bachelor of Science, SOFTWARE ENGINEERING, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Platteville, WI.
Summa cum laude, GPA: 3.94/4.0
Awards
2024 Air Force Level Winner - The 2023 Harold Brown Award
The Harold Brown Award is the highest award given by the United States Air Force to
a scientist or engineer who applies scientific research to solve a problem critical
to the needs of the Air Force. Ceremony held at Pentagon, Secretary of the Air
Force, Frank Kendall, presented the award to Scott Nykl on 9 July 2024. Received
congratualtory phone call from Chief Scientist of USAF, Dr Victoria Coleman on 9
May 2024.
2024 General Bernard A. Schreiver Award Air Force Level Winner - The Air & Space Forces Association - Given in recognition of a person who advances aerospace power, technology, doctrine, or the Air Force as a profession.
2024 Air University Outstanding Airmen of the Year Award - Civ Cat IV (Non Supv) Air University Winner
2023 Air Force Level Winner - Air Force Outstanding Scientist/Engineer 2022 - Air Force level Winner - Air Force Outstanding Scientist/Engineer 2022, Junior Civilian (out of entire USAF).
2022 Air Force Outstanding Scientist/Engineer 2021 - AFIT/EN level Winner - Air Force Outstanding Scientist/Engineer 2021.
2021 Eta Kappa Nu EE/CE Faculty Member of the Year - Student-nominated recipient of HKN Honor Society EE/CE Faculty Member of
the Year Award.
2021 Dr. Leslie M. Norton Teaching Excellence Award - Student-nominated recipient of Dr. Leslie M. Norton Teaching Excellence Award.
2021 AETC iChallenge: First Place Winner Cyber Space Odyssey, $75K - Won first place in MAJCOM-wide innovation competition to bring Cyber Training & recruitment to Airmen.
2020 GSEM Dean’s Distinguished Teaching Professor - Awarded the Graduate School of Engineering & Management Dean’s Distin-
guished Teaching Professor.
2019 2019 Air Force LevelWinner - S&T Advanced Technology Development Award Outstanding breakthrough in applied research &flight tests – improved automated aerial refueling TRL level.
2018 2018 SOCHE Faculty Excellence Award Demonstrated excellence in teaching, service, and scholarship throughout the academic year.
2017 AETC MAJCOM Winner - Air Force Outstanding Scientist/Engineer, Junior
2017 AFIT/ ENG’s 3rd Quarter Nominee
2016 Annual Award Winner - AFIT/EN Graduate School of Engineering & Management
2016 Gage H. Crocker Outstanding Professor Award Nominee
2016 AFIT 2nd Quarter AwardWinner for EN
2016 July 2016 2nd Quarter Award Winner for EN Civ Cat III
2013 $100,000 Technology Development Grant
Awarded grant from State of Ohio Third Frontier. Technology Validation and Start Up Fund (TVSF).
2013 Best Paper Award - ACM SIGGRAPH Symposium on Interactive 3D Graphics & Games (i3D ’13)
Awarded Best Paper for Interactive Mesostructures
2013 Outstanding Student Innovator of the Year
Sensor Fusion with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. [Link].
2012 National Graduate Finalist in the 2012 Collegiate Inventors Competition
One of Seven National Graduate Finalists. Invented a Wake Turbulent Aware Altimeter. [YouTube Link]
2012 Forbe’s The Greatest Young Inventors in America
Inventor of aWake-Turbulence Aware Altimeter. [Forbes.com Link]
2012 Institute of Navigation Section Sponsored Graduate Student Award
Demonstrated Excellence in the Advancement of the Art and Science of Navigation.
2012 Innovation Engine Accelerator Grant $20,000
Ohio University’s Entrepreneurship Grant. Founded 3D Visualization company Affine Technologies to create real time 3D Visualization of large-scale, dynamic data focusing on avionics and engineering.
2011 Student Enhancement Award $6,000
Ohio University Research and Technology Center ‘Fusion of Low Cost Unmanned Aerial Vehicles with Real Time’. [Link]
2006 National Science Foundation GK-12 Fellow
OpenGL Computer Graphics Development during Master’s work. Created 3D Educational software to teach hard to teach science concepts to middle school children.
Publications
Journals JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS IN PRINT / TO APPEAR:
18. D. WorthA, J. ChoateA, J. LynchA , S. Nykl, and C. N. TaylorF, “Relative Vector-
ing Using Dual Object Detection for Autonomous Aerial Refueling,” Journal of
Neural Computing and Applications, vol. 0, no. 0, 2024, URL: https://tbd
17. J. ChoateA, D. WorthA, S. Nykl, C. N. TaylorF , B. BorghettiF, and C. S. KabbanF ,
“An Analysis of Precision: Occlusion and Perspective Geometry’s Role in 6D
Pose Estimation,” Journal of Neural Computing and Applications, vol. 0, no. 0, 2023,
URL: https://tbd(accepted not published)
16. R. H. Yuan, C. N. Taylor, and S. Nykl, “Accurate covariance estimation for
pose data from iterative closest point algorithm,” NAVIGATION: Journal of
the Institute of Navigation, vol. 70, no. 2, 2023, URL: https://navi.ion.org/
content/70/2/navi.562
15. R. RaettigA, J. AndersonA, S. Nykl, and L. MerkleF, “Accelerated Point Set
Registration Method,” Journal of Defense Modeling and Simulation, vol. 0, no. 0,
pp. 1–12, Feb 2023, URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/15485129221150454
14. J. AndersonA , R. RaettigA , J. LarsonA , S. Nykl, C. TaylorF , and T. WischgollE,
“Delaunay Walk for Fast Nearest Neighbor: Accelerating Correspondence
Matching for ICP,” Machine Vision and Applications, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 1–13,
Feb 2022, URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00138-022-01279-w
13. C. Arnold, S. Nykl, S. Graham , and R. Leishman, “Real-Time Structure from
Motion with Planar Homography Estimation: A Real-Time Low-Bandwidth
High-Resolution Variant for Aerial Reconnaissance, to Journal of Real-Time Im-
age Processing.” Journal of Defense Modeling and Simulation, pp. 1–12, December
2021, https://doi.org/10.1177/15485129211062880
12. J. Anderson , J. Miller, X. Wu , S. Nykl, C. Taylor , and W. Watkinson ,
“Real-Time Automated Aerial Refueling with Stereo Vision: Overcoming GNSS-
Denied Environments In or Near Combat Areas,” Inside GNSS, vol. 16, no. 4, pp.
32–41, 2021, https://insidegnss.com/real-time-automated-aerial-refueling-
with-stereo-vision-overcoming-gnss-denied-environments-in-or-near-
combat-areas/
11. K. Kim , R. Leishman, and S. Nykl, “Virtual Testbed for Monocular Visual
Navigation of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems,” The Journal of Defense Mod-
eling and Simulation, pp. 1–19, Sep 2020, URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/1548512920954545
10. K. Graham, B. Heitmeyer, P. Patel, J. AndersonS, S. Nykl, L. Merkle , and
A. LinF , “Cyber Space Odyssey: A Competitive, Team-Oriented Serious Game in
Computer Networking,” IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, vol. 13, no. 3,
pp. 502–515, Jul 2020, URL: https://doi.org/10.1109/TLT.2020.3008607
9. A. LeeA,W. DallmannA, S. Nykl, C. TaylorF, and B. BorghettiF, “Long Range Pose Estimation for Aerial Refueling Approaches Using Deep Neural Networks,” AIAA: Journal of Aerospace Information Systems, vol. TBD, no. TBD, p. 1-12,
June 2020, URL: https://doi.org/10.2514/1.I010658
8. A. LeighnerO, J. RoeberA, P. PatelO, J. PecarinaE, and S. Nykl, “FPGA Accelerated
Discrete-SURF for Vision based Aerial Navigation,” Journal of DoD Research
& Engineering (JDR&E), vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 1–13, 2020
7. J. RoeberA, S. Nykl, and S. GrahamF, “Assessment of Structure from Motion for
Reconnaissance Augmentation and Bandwidth Usage Reduction,” The Journal
of Defense Modeling and Simulation, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 213–225, 2020, URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/1548512919844021
6. C. ParsonsA, Z. PaulsonA, S. Nykl, W. DallmanA, B. G. WoolleyF, and
J. PecarinaF, “Analysis of Simulated Imagery for Real-Time Vision-Based Automated
Aerial Refueling,” AIAA: Journal of Aerospace Information Systems, vol. 16,
no. 3, pp. 77–93, Jan 2019, URL: https://doi.org/10.2514/1.I010658
5. Z. PaulsonA, S. Nykl, J. PecarinaF, and B.WoolleyF, “Mitigating the Effects of
Boom Occlusion on Automated Aerial Refueling through Shadow Volumes,”
The Journal of Defense Modeling and Simulation, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 175–189, 2018,
URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/1548512918808408
4. Becherer, Nicholas and Pecarina, John and Nykl, Scott and Hopkinson, Kenneth, “Improving optimization of convolutional neural networks through parameter fine-tuning,” Neural Computing and Applications, Nov 2017
3. D. T. Johnson, S. Nykl, and J. Raquet, “Combining Stereo Vision and Inertial Navigation for Automated Aerial Refueling,” Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, vol. 40, no. 9, pp. 2250–2259, May 2017
2. W. YoungE, S. Nykl**, G. WeckmanE, and D. ChelbergE, “Using Voronoi Diagrams to Improve Classification Performances When Modeling Imbalanced Datasets,” Neural Computing and Applications, vol. 26, no. 5, 2015
1. S. Nykl**, C. MourningS, and D. ChelbergE, “Interactive Mesostructures with Volumetric Collisions,” Visualization and Computer Graphics, IEEE Transactions on, vol. 20, no. 7, pp. 970–982, July 2014
BOOK CHAPTERS AUTHORED:
2. K. BentjenO, S. GrahamF, S. Nykl, and P. SimonO, “Introducing Persistent
Human Control into a Reservation-Based Autonomous Intersection Protocol,”
in Critical Infrastructure Protection XII, J. Staggs and S. Shenoi, Eds. New York
City: Springer, Feb 2019, ISBN: 978-3-030-04537-1
1. C. WolfeO, S. GrahamF, R. MillsF, and S. Nykl, “Securing Data-in-Transit for
Power-Limited Sensor Networks using Two-Channel Communication,” in Critical
Infrastructure Protection XII, J. Staggs and S. Shenoi, Eds. New York City:
Springer, Feb 2019, ISBN: 978-3-030-04537-1
Patents PATENTS PENDING AT US PATENT OFFICE:
2. C. Mourning and S. Nykl, “Reduction of Sensor Captured Data Streamed to an Operator,” U.S. Patent 9,756,280, September 5, 2017
1. S. Nykl and C. Mourning, “Wake Turbulence Analyzer for Real-Time Visualization, Detection, and Avoidance,” U.S. Patent 9,709,698, July, 2017
PENDING PATENTS PENDING:
1. S. Nykl, B. Woolley, and J. Pecarina, “Stereo Vision Relative Navigation of
Airborne Vehicles,” U.S. Patent Pending 62/886,550, August, 2019
Conf Full CONFERENCE PUBLICATIONS IN PRINT / TO APPEAR (REFEREED FULL PAPER):
22. J. ChoateA and S. Nykl, “Improving 6D Localization with Rigid Body Prediction
of Off-image Features,” in AIAA SCITECH 2024 Forum, URL: https:
//arc.aiaa.org/doi/abs/10.2514/6.2024-1299
21. R. H. YuanO , C. N. TaylorF, and S. Nykl, “Accurate covariance estimation for
pose data from iterative closest point algorithm,” in Proceedings of the 2021
International Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, 2021, pp. 766–774
20. B. GarlandO#, D. D. HodsonF , S. Nykl, R. DillF , and M. GrimailaF , “ECS Ar-
chitecture for Modern Military Simulators,” in Proceedings of the International
Conference on Computational Science and Computational Intelligence. International
Conference on Computational Science and Computational Intelligence, Dec
2020, pp. 118–122
19. K. SarantsevO# , C. TaylorF , and S. Nykl, “Effects of Stereo Vision Camera Posi-
tioning on Relative Navigation Accuracy,” in Proceedings of the 2020 International
Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, ser. ION ITM ’20. San Diego,
CA, USA: Institute of Navigation, Jan 2020, URL: https://doi.org/10.33012/
2020.17168
18. J. AndersonA#, S. Nykl, and T. WischgollE, “Augmenting Flight Imagery from
Aerial Refueling with a Virtual Boom to Test Occlusion,” in Advances in Visual
Computing: 12th International Symposium, ISVC 2019, Lake Tahoe, UT, USA, October
7-9, 2019, Proceedings, ser. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, G. Bebis, Ed.
Springer International Publishing, 2019, vol. 10073, pp. 605–615
17. J. A. VagedesO#, D. D. HodsonF, S. Nykl, and J. R. MillarF, “ECS Architecture
for Modern Military Simulators,” in Proceedings of the International Conference on
Scientific Computing (CSC). The Steering Committee of The World Congress in
Computer Science, 2019, pp. 118–122
16. B. BurfeindO#, R. MillsF, S. Nykl, J. BetancesF, and C. SielskiE, “Confidential
ADS-B: A Lightweight, Interoperable Approach,” in 2019 IEEE Aerospace Conference,
ser. IEEE Aerospace Conference. Big Sky, Montana: IEEE, 2019
15. N. SeydelA, W. DallmannA#, and S. Nykl, “Visualizing behaviors when using real vs synthetic imagery for computer vision,” in Proceedings of the 2018 International Conference on Scientific Computing, Las Vegas, NV, 2018
14. K. BentjenO#, S. GrahamF, and S. Nykl, “Modelling Misbehaviour in Automated Vehicle Intersections in a Synthetic Environment,” in 13th International Conference on Cyber Warefare and Security (ICCWS). ICCWS, March 2018
13. K. BentjenO#, S. GrahamF, and S. Nykl, “Introducing Persistent Human Control into a Reservation-Based Autonomous Intersection Protocol,” in International Conference of Critical Infrastructure Protection. IFIP, March 2018
12. C.WolfeO#, S. GrahamF, R. MillsF, S. Nykl, and P. SimonO, “Securing Data-in-Transit for Power-Limited Sensor Networks using Two-Channel Communication,” in International Conference of Critical Infrastructure Protection. IFIP, March 2018
11. C. ParsonsA and S. Nykl, “Real-Time Automated Aerial Refueling Using Stereo Vision,” in Advances in Visual Computing: 12th International Symposium, ISVC 2016, Las Vegas, NV, USA, December 12-14, 2016, Proceedings, Part II, ser. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, G. Bebis, Ed. Springer International Publishing, 2016, vol. 10073, pp. 605–615
10. J. RobinsonU, M. PiekenbrockU, L. BurchettO, S. Nykl#, B.Woolley, and A. Terzuoli, “Real-Time Automated Aerial Refueling Using Stereo Vision,” in Advances in Visual Computing: 12th International Symposium, ISVC 2016, Las Vegas, NV, USA, December 12-14, 2016, Proceedings, Part II, ser. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, G. Bebis, Ed. Springer International Publishing, 2016, vol. 10073, pp. 593–602
9. C. MourningS, S. Nykl**, and D. ChelbergE, “Disocclusion Mitigation for Image Based Point Cloud Imposters,” in Advances in Visual Computing, ser. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 2014, vol. 8888, pp. 861–871
8. S. Nykl**, C. MourningS, and D. ChelbergE, “Interactive Mesostructures,” in Proceedings of the ACM SIGGRAPH Symposium on Interactive 3D Graphics and Games, ser. I3D ’13, 2013, pp. 37–44
7. S. Nykl**, C. MourningS, E. NyklS, D. ChelbergE, and T. SkidmoreE, “JPALS Visualization Tool,” in Distributed Simulation and Real Time Applications (DS-RT), 2012 IEEE/ACM 16th International Symposium on, Oct 2012, pp. 3–10
6. S. Nykl**, C. MourningS, N. GhandiS, and D. ChelbergE, “A Flight Tested Wake Turbulence Aware Altimeter,” in Advances in Visual Computing, ser. Lecture Notes in Computer Science. Springer International Publishing, 2011, vol. 6939, pp. 219–228
5. C. MourningS, S. Nykl**, and D. ChelbergE, “An Analysis of Impostor Based Level of Detail Approximations for LIDAR Data,” in Advances in Visual Computing, ser. Lecture Notes in Computer Science. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2011, vol. 6939, pp. 637–646
4. C. MourningS, S. Nykl**, H. XuS, D. ChelbergE, and J. LiuE, “GPU Acceleration of Robust Point Matching,” in Advances in Visual Computing, ser. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, G. Bebis, Ed. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2010, vol. 6455, pp. 417–426
3. C. MourningS, S. Nykl**, D. ChelbergE, T. FranklinE, and C. LiuE, “An Overview of First Generation STEAMiE Learning Objects,” in Proceedings of EdMedia: World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2009, G. Siemens and C. Fulford, Eds. Honolulu, HI, USA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE), June 2009, pp. 3748–3757
2. S. Nykl**, C. MourningS, M. LeitchS, D. ChelbergE, T. FranklinE, and C. LiuE, “An Overview of the STEAMiE Educational Game Engine,” in Frontiers in Education Conference, 2008. FIE 2008. 38th Annual, Oct 2008, pp. F3B–21–F3B–25
1. S. L. Nykl**, K. T. RieseS, and J. E. RundeS, “A GPS Guided Remote Controlled Truck,” in 39th Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium (MICS ’06), ser. MICS ’06. Mt. Pleasant, IA, USA: Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium, 2006
Conf Abstr CONFERENCE PUBLICATIONS IN PRINT / TO APPEAR (REFEREED ABSTRACT):
30. S. Nykl#, “Towards Automated Aerial Refueling – Probe-to-Drogue Relative
Vectoring using Monocular Computer Vision: An Analysis of 2023 Flight Test
Data,” in Proceedings of the Aerial Refueling Systems Advisory Group (ARSAG)),
ser. ARSAG ’24. Cleveland, OH, USA: ARSAG, 26 April 2024
29. A. OwensO#, L. BoydA#, and S. Nykl, “Automated Identification and Landing
on Runways in Austere Conditions via Computer Vision,” in Proceedings of the
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Institute of Navigation (ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’24.
Covington, KY, USA: Institute of Navigation, Jun 2024
28. R. StifflerA# and S. Nykl, “Maximum Range of Computer Vision for Aircraft
Classification,” in Proceedings of the Institute of Navigation (ION) Joint Naviga-
tion Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’24. Covington, KY, USA: Institute of
Navigation, Jun 2024
27. S. HansonA#, L. WeinfurtnerA#, and S. Nykl, “An Analysis of Relative Pose
Estimation from Monocular Flight Imagery of Aerial Refueling,” in Proceedings
of the Institute of Navigation (ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION
JNC ’24. Covington, KY, USA: Institute of Navigation, Jun 2024
26. J. ChoateA# and S. Nykl, “Utilizing Asymmetric Aircraft Features for Highly
Occluded Position and Orientation Estimation,” in Proceedings of the Institute of
Navigation (ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’24. Covington,
KY, USA: Institute of Navigation, Jun 2024
25. J. ChoateA# and S. Nykl, “Increasing CNN Findable Features in Imagery via
Labeling Obscured Features,” in Proceedings of the Institute of Navigation (ION)
Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’23. San Diego, CA, USA:
Institute of Navigation, Jun 2023
24. J. KrutzA# , A. NasiA , and S. Nykl, “Fast Multi-View 3D Reconstruction of Large
Objects with April Tag Calibration,” in Proceedings of the Institute of Navigation
(ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’23. San Diego, CA, USA:
Institute of Navigation, Jun 2023
23. D. FriesenhahnA# , D. WorthA , and S. Nykl, “Improvements to Pose Estimation
for AAR with YOLO/Semantic Segmentation and Perspective-n-Point,” in
Proceedings of the Institute of Navigation (ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC),
ser. ION JNC ’23. San Diego, CA, USA: Institute of Navigation, Jun 2023
22. N. WilsonA#, X. WuA, and S. Nykl, “Using Motion Capture and Augmented
Reality to Test AAR with Drogue Occlusion,” in Proceedings of the Institute of
Navigation (ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’22. San Diego,
CA, USA: Institute of Navigation, Jun 2022
21. J. ChoateA# and S. Nykl, “CNN Robustness of Simulation Versus Real Imagery
for Aerial Refueling,” in Proceedings of the Institute of Navigation (ION) Joint
Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’22. San Diego, CA, USA: Institute
of Navigation, Jun 2022
20. D. WorthA#, J. LynchA , and S. Nykl, “Single-shot Pose Estimation for AAR
with YOLO and Perspective-n-Point,” in Proceedings of the Institute of Navigation
(ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’22. San Diego, CA, USA:
Institute of Navigation, Jun 2022
19. A. NasiA#, J. MillerA , and S. Nykl, “Robust Computer Vision-based Pose Estima-
tion for Automated Aerial Refueling,” in Proceedings of the Institute of Navigation
(ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’22. San Diego, CA, USA:
Institute of Navigation, Jun 2022
18. R. RaettigA#, J. MillerA#, and S. Nykl, “Aided Stereo Vision Calibration Process
for Automated Aerial Refueling,” in Proceedings of the Institute of Navigation
(ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’21. Cincinnati, OH, USA:
Institute of Navigation, Aug 2021
17. J. LarsonA , J. LynchA#, and S. Nykl, “Convolutional Neural Networks to Im-
prove Pose Estimation in Automated Aerial Refueling,” in Proceedings of the
Institute of Navigation (ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’21.
Cincinnati, OH, USA: Institute of Navigation, Aug 2021
16. V. BownesA , X. WuA# , and S. Nykl, “Using Augmented Reality to Test Boom
Occlusion Mitigation Methods in AAR,” in Proceedings of the Institute of Naviga-
tion (ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’21. Cincinnati, OH,
USA: Institute of Navigation, Aug 2021
15. R. RaettigA# and S. Nykl, “Aided Stereo Vision Calibration Process for Automated
Aerial Refueling,” in Proceedings of the Institute of Navigation (ION) Joint
Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’20. Cincinnati, OH, USA: Institute
of Navigation, Sept 2020
14. J. LarsonA# and S. Nykl, “Convolutional Neural Networks to Improve Pose
Estimation in Automated Aerial Refueling,” in Proceedings of the Institute of
Navigation (ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’20. Cincinnati,
OH, USA: Institute of Navigation, Sept 2020
13. V. BownesA# and S. Nykl, “Using Augmented Reality to Test Boom Occlusion
Mitigation Methods in AAR,” in Proceedings of the Institute of Navigation (ION)
Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’20. Cincinnati, OH, USA:
Institute of Navigation, Sept 2020
12. A. LeeA# and S. Nykl, “Biologically Inspired Machine Learning to Improve
Automated Aerial Refueling Algorithms,” in Proceedings of the Institute of Navigation
(ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’19. Long Beach,
CA, USA: Institute of Navigation, July 2019
11. B. FrenchA# and S. Nykl, “Determining Virtually Simulated Aerial Refueling
Fidelity using Physically Collected Stereo Vision Images and DGPS-based Truth
Data,” in Proceedings of the Institute of Navigation (ION) Joint Navigation Conference
(JNC), ser. ION JNC ’19. Long Beach, CA, USA: Institute of Navigation, July
2019
10. M. CrowlA# and S. Nykl, “Use of LIDAR in Automated Aerial Refueling (AAR):
An Improvement over the Existing Stereo Vision System,” in Proceedings of the
Institute of Navigation (ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’19.
Long Beach, CA, USA: Institute of Navigation, July 2019
9. C. ArnoldA# and S. Nykl, “Assessment of Computer Vision Techniques for Reconnaissance
Augmentation and Bandwidth Usage Reduction,” in Proceedings
of the Institute of Navigation (ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION
JNC ’18. Long Beach, CA, USA: Institute of Navigation, July 2018
8. W. DallmannA# and S. Nykl, “Matching Simulated Boom Occlusion Data to
Truth Data for Automated Aerial Refueling,” in Proceedings of the Institute of
Navigation (ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’18. Long
Beach, CA, USA: Institute of Navigation, July 2018
7. J. RoeberA# and S. Nykl, “Reducing C2 Bandwidth via Swarm-Based Real-time Three-Dimensional Model Synthesis,” in Proceedings of the Institute of Navigation (ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’17. Dayton, OH, USA: Institute of Navigation, 2017
6. Z. PaulsonA# and S. Nykl, “Quantifying the Effect of Boom Occlusion on Relative Positioning for AAR,” in Proceedings of the Institute of Navigation (ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’17. Dayton, OH, USA: Institute of Navigation, 2017
5. N. SeydelA# and S. Nykl, “Autonomous Aerial Refueling Flight Testing and Data Collection Engineering,” in Proceedings of the Institute of Navigation (ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’17. Dayton, OH, USA: Institute of Navigation, 2017
4. L. Burchett, J. Robinson, M. Piekenbrock, S. Nykl, B.Woolley, and A. Terzuoli, “Automated aerial refueling: Parallelized 3d iterative closest point,” in IEEE NAECON, 2016, pp. 1–5
3. C. ParsonsA# and S. Nykl, “Relative Positioning for Automated Aerial Refueling Using Stereoscopic Imagery from Geometrically Accurate Real-Time Virtual Worlds,” in Proceedings of the Institute of Navigation (ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’16. Dayton, OH, USA: Institute of Navigation, 2016
2. T. StuartA#, S. CalhounE#, and S. Nykl, “Integrity Monitoring for Stereo Vision-Based Automated Air Refueling,” in Proceedings of the Institute of Navigation (ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’16. Dayton, OH, USA: Institute of Navigation, 2016
1. D. JohnsonA# and S. Nykl, “Fusion of Stereo Machine Vision with INS/GPS for Automated Aerial Refueling,” in Proceedings of the Institute of Navigation (ION) Joint Navigation Conference (JNC), ser. ION JNC ’16. Dayton, OH, USA: Institute of Navigation, 2016
Presentations and Posters - No Corresponding Paper:
8. J. LynchA# , , and S. Nykl, “Monocular Pose Estimation with CNNs and Solve
PnP,” in Consortium of Ohio Universities on Navigation & Timekeeping (COUNT),
March 2022
7. J. MillerA# , , and S. Nykl, “Mitigating Boom Occlusion Errors with ICP,” in
Consortium of Ohio Universities on Navigation & Timekeeping (COUNT), March
2022
6. X. WuA# , , and S. Nykl, “Virtual Testing of Drogue Occlusion,” in Consortium of
Ohio Universities on Navigation & Timekeeping (COUNT), March 2022
5. A. LeeA#, C. ArnoldA#, and S. Nykl, “Real Time Structure from Motion Using
Planar Homography Estimation,” in Consortium of Ohio Universities on Navigation
& Timekeeping (COUNT), April 2019
4. M. CrowlA#, B. FrenchA#, and S. Nykl, “Real Time Visual Rel-NAV Using EO
and LWIR for Automated Aerial Refueling,” in Consortium of Ohio Universities
on Navigation & Timekeeping (COUNT), April 2019
3. W. DallmannA# and S. Nykl, “Matching Simulated Boom Occlusion Data to Truth Data for Automated Aerial Refueling,” in Consortium of Ohio Universities on Navigation & Timekeeping (COUNT), April 2018 2. C. ArnoldA# and S. Nykl, “Bandwidth Reduction via Structure from Motion on
Remote Imaging Systems,” in Consortium of Ohio Universities on Navigation & Timekeeping (COUNT), April 2018
1. N. SeydelA#, Z. PaulsonA#, C. ParsonsA, and S. Nykl, “Real Time Automated Aerial Refueling using Synthetic Stereo Vision Imagery,” in Consortium of Ohio Universities on Navigation & Timekeeping (COUNT), April 2017
Other Publications PUBLISHED WORK NOT MENTIONED ABOVE:
2. S. Nykl**, “Interactive Mesostructures,” Ph.D. dissertation, Ohio University,December 2013
1. S. Nykl**, “High-Fidelity Distributed Physics for Continuous Interactive Virtual Worlds Using Server Clusters,” Master’s thesis, Ohio University, August 2008
Invited Talks TALKS, LECTURES, AND PRESENTATIONS NOT MENTIONED ABOVE:
9. S. Nykl# , “Real Time Computer Vision Pose Estimation for Autonomous Aerial
Refueling,” in Proceedings of the 2023 Institute of Navigation (ION) Dayton Section,
ser. ION Dayton ’23. Dayton, OH, USA: ION, 12 Oct 2023
8. S. Nykl# , “Using 3D Digital Twins for Computer Vision Research and Cyber
Education,” in Proceedings of the 2023 Dayton Digital Transformation Summit, ser.
DDTS ’23. Dayton, OH, USA: DDTS, 12 May 2023
7. D. Worth and S. Nykl# , “Towards Autonomous Aerial Refueling,” in Proceed-
ings of the Aerial Refueling Systems Advisory Group (ARSAG)), ser. ARSAG ’23.
Orlando, FL, USA: ARSAG, 27 April 2023
6. S. Nykl, “Using Virtual Worlds for Research and Teaching,” in AFIT Lunch ’n
Learn Lectures, ser. Lunch ’n Learn. Wright Patterson AFB, OH, USA: AFIT,
2021
5. S. Nykl# and C. TaylorF, “Automated Aerial Refueling using Visual RelNav
– Preliminary 2019 Flight Test Results,” in Proceedings of the Aerial Refueling
Systems Advisory Group (ARSAG)), ser. ARSAG ’19. Charlotte, NC, USA:
ARSAG, 11 April 2019
4. S. Nykl#, “Automated Aerial Refueling using Visual RelNav,” in Proceedings of the Aerial Refueling Systems Advisory Group (ARSAG)), ser. ARSAG ’17. Orlando, FL, USA: ARSAG, 27 April 2017
3. S. Nykl#, “AFRL/Boeing/AFIT Aerial Refueling Operator Automation,” Technology Lecture, TecEdge, Dayton, OH, USA, February 2017
2. T. StuartA# and S. Nykl, “Integrity Monitoring for Stereo Vision-Based Automated Air Refueling,” in Proceedings of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots Great Lakes Symposium (SETP), ser. SETP ’16. Wright Patterson AFB, OH, USA: SETP, 2016
1. S. Nykl#, “Automated Aerial Refueling: Towards Autonomy & Crew Reduction,” in Proceedings of the Aerial Refueling Systems Advisory Group (ARSAG)), ser. ARSAG ’16. Jacksonville, FL, USA: ARSAG, 21 April 2016
