Particle filter based multi-sensor data fusion techniques for RPAS navigation and guidance

Francesco Cappello, Roberto Sabatini, Subramanian Ramasamy, Matthew Marino

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper presents a Particle Filter (PF) based Multi-Sensor Data Fusion (MSDF) technique in an integrated Navigation and Guidance System (NGS) design based on low-cost avionics sensors. The performance of PF based MSDF method is compared with other previously implemented data fusion architectures for small-sized Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). The sensor suite of the implemented NGS includes; Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) sensor, which is adopted as the primary means of navigation, Micro-ElectroMechanical System (MEMS) based Inertial Measuring Unit (IMU) and Vision-Based Navigation (VBN) sensor. Additionally, an Aircraft Dynamics Model (ADM) is used as a virtual sensor to compensate for the MEMS-IMU sensor shortcomings in high-dynamics attitude determination tasks. The PF is specifically implemented to increase the accuracy of navigation solution obtained from the inherently inaccurate, low-cost Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) sensors. Simulations are carried out on the AEROSONDE RPAS performing high-dynamics manoeuvres representative of the RPAS operational flight envelope. The Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) based VBN-IMU-GNSS-ADM (E-VIGA) system, Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) based U-VIGA system and the PF based P-VIGA system performances are evaluated and compared. Additionally, an error covariance analysis is performed on the centralised filter using Monte Carlo simulation. Results indicate that the PF is computationally expensive as the number of particles is increased. Compared to E-VIGA and U-VIGA systems, P-VIGA system shows an improvement of accuracy in the position, velocity and attitude measurements.

Original languageBritish English
Title of host publication2nd IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Aerospace, MetroAeroSpace 2015 - Proceedings
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages395-400
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781479975693
DOIs
StatePublished - 5 Aug 2015
Event2nd IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Aerospace, MetroAeroSpace 2015 - Benevento, Italy
Duration: 3 Jun 20155 Jun 2015

Publication series

Name2nd IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Aerospace, MetroAeroSpace 2015 - Proceedings

Conference

Conference2nd IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Aerospace, MetroAeroSpace 2015
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityBenevento
Period3/06/155/06/15

Keywords

  • Aircraft Dynamics Model
  • Global Navigation Satellite System
  • Low-Cost Avionics Sensors
  • Particle Filter
  • Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems
  • Unscented Kalman Filter

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