scholarly journals Deeply Integrated GNSS/Gyro Attitude Determination System

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 2203
Author(s):  
Alexander Perov ◽  
Alexander Shatilov

Attitude determination systems based on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) work on principle of phase interferometer, using multiple receiving antennas. They rely on a good quality of carrier phase tracking, that is not the case in real dynamic environment with low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), for example, in a ground vehicle moving through an urban area or forest. There is still a problem in providing a GNSS attitude in such common conditions. This research is focused on improving sensitivity (i.e., the capability of providing attitude at a low SNR) and the reliability of the GNSS attitude determination system. It is contrasted with the majority of publications, where precision or computational efficiency is the main goal, but sensitivity and reliability are out of their scope. In the proposed system, sensitivity improved by using two measures: (a) tracking only phase differences instead of tracking full carrier phases—this is more sensitive due to the lower dynamics of the underlying process, and (b) using deep integration with gyroscope, where all phase differences are tracked in a vector gyro-aided loop closed on user’s attitude in state vector. The algorithm synthesis is given, and simulation results are presented in this article. This shows that the minimal working SNR is lowered from 27–36 dBHz (typical) down to 20 dBHz, even with a low-cost MEMS gyroscope.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Veras Guimarães ◽  
Fabrice Ardhuin ◽  
Peter Sutherland ◽  
Mickael Accensi ◽  
Michel Hamon ◽  
...  

Abstract. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and modern motion-sensor packages allow the measurement of ocean surface waves with low-cost drifters. Drifting along or across current gradients provides unique measurements of wave-current interactions. In this study, we investigate the response of several combinations of GNSS receiver, motion-sensor package and hull design in order to define a prototype surface kinematic buoy (SKIB) that is particularly optimized for measuring wave-current interactions, including relatively short wave components (relative frequency around 1 Hz) that are important for air-sea interactions and remote sensing applications. The comparison with existing Datawell Directional Waverider and SWIFT buoys, as well as stereo-video imagery demonstrates the accuracy of SKIB. The use of low-cost accelerometers and a spherical ribbed and skirted hull design provide acceptable heave spectra, while velocity estimates from GNSS receivers yield a mean direction and directional spread. Using a low-power acquisition board allows autonomous deployments over several months with data transmitted by satellite. The capability to measure current-induced wave variations is illustrated with data acquired in a macro-tidal coastal environment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Cobb ◽  
Tiffany Earley-Spadoni ◽  
Philip Dames

AbstractThe methodical recording and representation of spatial data are central to archaeological fieldwork and research. Until recently, centimeter-level precise geolocation equipment was the exclusive domain of researchers who could afford setups costing tens of thousands of dollars. However, high-quality measurements are being made more accessible by rapidly evolving technologies. These new tools, when used together with mobile technology for efficiently recording field data, open up the possibility of capturing the precise location of every find during an archaeological surface survey. An important step in reaching the desired outcome—centimeter-level recording for all—is experimentation with a variety of emerging low-cost setups. Accordingly, we tested the Reach and Reach RS, differential global navigation satellite systems (dGNSS) equipment produced by the company Emlid, during a surface survey in Armenia in June 2018. Our field application demonstrates that the use of dGNSS is already possible and that the described advances in precision enable improved recording and representation of spatial data.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 747
Author(s):  
Peng Zhang ◽  
Yinzhi Zhao ◽  
Huan Lin ◽  
Jingui Zou ◽  
Xinzhe Wang ◽  
...  

The global navigation satellite system (GNSS)-based attitude determination system has attracted more and more attention with the advantages of having simplified algorithms, a low price and errors that do not accumulate over time. However, GNSS signals may have poor quality or lose lock in some epochs with the influence of signal fading and the multipath effect. When the direct attitude determination method is applied, the primary baseline may not be available (ambiguity is not fixed), leading to the inability of attitude determination. With the gradual popularization of low-cost receivers, making full use of spatial redundancy information of multiple antennas brings new ideas to the GNSS-based attitude determination method. In this paper, an attitude angle conversion algorithm, selecting an arbitrary baseline as the primary baseline, is derived. A multi-antenna attitude determination method based on primary baseline switching is proposed, which is performed on a self-designed embedded software and hardware platform. The proposed method can increase the valid epoch proportion and attitude information. In the land vehicle test, reference results output from a high-accuracy integrated navigation system were used to evaluate the accuracy and reliability. The results indicate that the proposed method is correct and feasible. The valid epoch proportion is increased by 16.2%, which can effectively improve the availability of attitude determination. The RMS of the heading, pitch and roll angles are 0.52°, 1.25° and 1.16°.


2014 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 633-649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chong-hui Li ◽  
Yong Zheng ◽  
Chao Zhang ◽  
Yu-Lei Yuan ◽  
Yue-Yong Lian ◽  
...  

Celestial navigation is an important type of autonomous navigation technology which could be used as an alternative to Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) when a vessel is at sea. After several centuries of development, a variety of astronomical vessel position (AVP) determination methods have been invented, but the basic concepts of these methods are all based on angular observations with a device such as a sextant, which has disadvantages including low accuracy, manual operation, and a limited period of observation. This paper proposes a new method that utilises a fisheye camera to image the celestial bodies and horizon simultaneously. Then, we calculate the obliquity of the fisheye camera's principal optical axis according to the image coordinates of the horizon. Next, we calculate the altitude of the celestial bodies according to the image coordinates of the celestial bodies and the obliquity. Finally, the AVP is determined by the altitudes according to the robust estimation method. Experimental results indicate that this method not only could realize automation and miniaturization of the AVP determination system, but could also greatly improve the efficiency of celestial navigation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-72
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Czopik ◽  
Tomasz Kraszewski

The GNSS (GNSS — Global Navigation Satellite Systems) receivers can be utilized to obtain accurate time markers. The preliminary results of the cheap GNSS receivers’ tests are presented in the paper. The one receiver’s price (including antenna) does not exceed 30 $. The studies on the use of receivers in the time synchronization systems were executed. Three identical models of receiver modules were used. The 1PPS (1PPS — 1 Pulse Per Second) signals available on the receiver’s output were used. The 1PPS’s main time characteristics were described. Delay times between different receivers 1PPS signals were measured. Measurements were taken using 1 GHz oscilloscope and precise time/frequency counter T3200U. Keywords: time synchronization, 1PPS, GNSS, GPS time


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rayan Imam ◽  
Marco Pini ◽  
Gianluca Marucco ◽  
Fabrizio Dominici ◽  
Fabio Dovis

Signals from global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) can be utilized as signals of opportunity in remote sensing applications. Geophysical properties of the earth surface can be detected and monitored by processing the back-scattered GNSS signals from the ground. In the literature, several airborne GNSS-based passive radar experiments have been successfully demonstrated. With the advancements in small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and their applications for environmental monitoring, we want to investigate whether GNSS-based passive radar can provide valuable geospatial information from such platforms. Low-cost GNSS reflectometry sensors, developed using commercial of the shelf components, can be mounted onboard UAVs and flown to sense environmental parameters. This paper presents the results of a preliminary study to investigate the feasibility of utilizing data collected by UAV-based GNSS-R sensors to detect surface water for a potential application in supporting flood monitoring operations. The study was conducted in the area surrounding the Avigliana lakes in Northern Italy. The results show the possibility of detecting small water surfaces with few tens of meters resolution, and estimating the area of the lake surface with 92% accuracy. Furthermore, it is proved through simulations that the use of multi-GNSS increases this accuracy to about 99%.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shady Zahran ◽  
Adel Moussa ◽  
Naser El-Sheimy

The last decade has witnessed a wide spread of small drones in many civil and military applications. With the massive advancement in the manufacture of small and lightweight Inertial Navigation System (INS), navigation in challenging environments became feasible. Navigation of these small drones mainly depends on the integration of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and INS. However, the navigation performance of these small drones deteriorates quickly when the GNSS signals are lost, due to accumulated errors of the low-cost INS that is typically used in these drones. During GNSS signal outages, another aiding sensor is required to bound the drift exhibited by the INS. Before adding any additional sensor on-board the drones, there are some limitations that must be taken into considerations. These limitations include limited availability of power, space, weight, and size. This paper presents a novel unconventional method, to enhance the navigation of autonomous drones in GNSS denied environment, through a new utilization of hall effect sensor to act as flying odometer “Air-Odo” and vehicle dynamic model (VDM) for heading estimation. The proposed approach enhances the navigational solution by estimating the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) velocity, and heading and fusing these measurements in the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) of the integrated system.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Medina ◽  
Jordi Vilà-Valls ◽  
Anja Hesselbarth ◽  
Ralf Ziebold ◽  
Jesús García

Global Navigation Satellite Systems’ (GNSS) carrier phase observations are fundamental in the provision of precise navigation for modern applications in intelligent transport systems. Differential precise positioning requires the use of a base station nearby the vehicle location, while attitude determination requires the vehicle to be equipped with a setup of multiple GNSS antennas. In the GNSS context, positioning and attitude determination have been traditionally tackled in a separate manner, thus losing valuable correlated information, and for the latter only in batch form. The main goal of this contribution is to shed some light on the recursive joint estimation of position and attitude in multi-antenna GNSS platforms. We propose a new formulation for the joint positioning and attitude (JPA) determination using quaternion rotations. A Bayesian recursive formulation for JPA is proposed, for which we derive a Kalman filter-like solution. To support the discussion and assess the performance of the new JPA, the proposed methodology is compared to standard approaches with actual data collected from a dynamic scenario under the influence of severe multipath effects.


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