scholarly journals Skymask Matching Aided Positioning Using Sky-Pointing Fisheye Camera and 3D City Models in Urban Canyons

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (17) ◽  
pp. 4728
Author(s):  
Max Jwo Lem Lee ◽  
Shang Lee ◽  
Hoi-Fung Ng ◽  
Li-Ta Hsu
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Building Model ◽  
Gnss Positioning ◽  
3D Building Model ◽  
Fisheye Camera ◽  
Heading Angle ◽  
Heading Estimation ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite ◽  
Degree Level

3D-mapping-aided (3DMA) global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning that improves positioning performance in dense urban areas has been under development in recent years, but it still faces many challenges. This paper details a new algorithm that explores the potential of using building boundaries for positioning and heading estimation. Rather than applying complex simulations to analyze and correct signal reflections by buildings, the approach utilizes a convolutional neural network to differentiate between the sky and building in a sky-pointing fisheye image. A new skymask matching algorithm is then proposed to match the segmented fisheye images with skymasks generated from a 3D building model. Each matched skymask holds a latitude, longitude coordinate and heading angle to determine the precise location of the fisheye image. The results are then compared with the smartphone GNSS and advanced 3DMA GNSS positioning methods. The proposed method provides degree-level heading accuracy, and improved positioning accuracy similar to other advanced 3DMA GNSS positioning methods in a rich urban environment.

scholarly journals Simulation of GNSS Availability in Urban Environments Using a Panoramic Image Dataset

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sakpod Tongleamnak ◽  
Masahiko Nagai
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Accuracy Assessment ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Panoramic Image ◽  
Image Processing Techniques ◽  
Gnss Positioning ◽  
Image Dataset ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite ◽  
Processing Techniques

Performance of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning in urban environments is hindered by poor satellite availability because there are many man-made and natural objects in urban environments that obstruct satellite signals. To evaluate the availability of GNSS in cities, this paper presents a software simulation of GNSS availability in urban areas using a panoramic image dataset from Google Street View. Photogrammetric image processing techniques are applied to reconstruct fisheye sky view images and detect signal obstacles. Two comparisons of the results from the simulation and real world observation in Bangkok and Tokyo are also presented and discussed for accuracy assessment.

scholarly journals Precise and Robust RTK-GNSS Positioning in Urban Environments with Dual-Antenna Configuration

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (16) ◽  
pp. 3586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan ◽  
Li ◽  
Cui ◽  
Lu
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Attitude Determination ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Multiple Antenna ◽  
Gnss Positioning ◽  
Single Antenna ◽  
Gnss Measurements ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite

Robust and centimeter-level Real-time Kinematic (RTK)-based Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning is of paramount importance for emerging GNSS applications, such as drones and automobile systems. However, the performance of conventional single-rover RTK degrades greatly in urban environments due to signal blockage and strong multipath. The increasing use of multiple-antenna/rover configurations for attitude determination in the above precise positioning applications, just as well, allows more information involved to improve RTK positioning performance in urban areas. This paper proposes a dual-antenna constraint RTK algorithm, which combines GNSS measurements of both antennas by making use of the geometric constraint between them. By doing this, the reception diversity between two antennas can be taken advantage of to improve the availability and geometric distribution of GNSS satellites, and what is more, the redundant measurements from a second antenna help to weaken the multipath effect on the first antenna. Particularly, an Ambiguity Dilution of Precision (ADOP)-based analysis is carried out to explore the intrinsic model strength for ambiguity resolution (AR) with different kinds of constraints. Based on the results, a Dual-Antenna with baseline VEctor Constraint algorithm (RTK) is developed. The primary advantages of the reported method include: 1) Improved availability and success rate of RTK, even if neither of the two single-antenna receivers can successfully solve the AR problem; and 2) reduced computational burden by adopting the concept of measurement projection. Simulated and real data experiments are performed to demonstrate robustness and precision of the algorithm in GNSS-challenged environments.

scholarly journals OutFin, a multi-device and multi-modal dataset for outdoor localization based on the fingerprinting approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahad Alhomayani ◽  
Mohammad H. Mahoor
Keyword(s):  
Global Navigation Satellite System ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Reference Points ◽  
Navigation Satellite ◽  
Data Types ◽  
Entry Barrier ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Global Navigation ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite

AbstractIn recent years, fingerprint-based positioning has gained researchers’ attention since it is a promising alternative to the Global Navigation Satellite System and cellular network-based localization in urban areas. Despite this, the lack of publicly available datasets that researchers can use to develop, evaluate, and compare fingerprint-based positioning solutions constitutes a high entry barrier for studies. As an effort to overcome this barrier and foster new research efforts, this paper presents OutFin, a novel dataset of outdoor location fingerprints that were collected using two different smartphones. OutFin is comprised of diverse data types such as WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular signal strengths, in addition to measurements from various sensors including the magnetometer, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, and ambient light sensor. The collection area spanned four dispersed sites with a total of 122 reference points. Each site is different in terms of its visibility to the Global Navigation Satellite System and reference points’ number, arrangement, and spacing. Before OutFin was made available to the public, several experiments were conducted to validate its technical quality.

scholarly journals GNSS SATELLITE VISIBILITY ANALYSIS BASED ON 3D SPATIAL INFORMATION IN URBAN AREAS

2020 ◽  
Vol XLIII-B4-2020 ◽  
pp. 123-128
Author(s):  
Y.-H. Lu ◽  
J.-Y. Han
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Data ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Signal Transmission ◽  
Point Clouds ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Topographic Effects ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Satellite Visibility ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite

Abstract. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is a matured modern technique for spatial data acquisition. Its performance has a great correlation with GNSS receiver position. However, high-density building in urban areas causes signal obstructions and thus hinders GNSS’s serviceability. Consequently, GNSS positioning is weakened in urban areas, so deriving proper improvement resolutions is a necessity. Because topographic effects are considered the main factor that directly block signal transmission between satellites and receivers, this study integrated aerial borne LiDAR point clouds and a 2D building boundary map to provide reliable 3D spatial information to analyze topographic effects. Using such vector data not only reflected high-quality GNSS satellite visibility calculations, but also significantly reduced data amount and processing time. A signal obstruction analysis technique and optimized computational algorithm were also introduced. In conclusion, this paper proposes using superimposed column method to analyze GNSS receivers’ surrounding environments and thus improve GNSS satellite visibility predictions in an efficient and reliable manner.

scholarly journals GNSS Multipath Detection Using Continuous Time-Series C/N0

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (14) ◽  
pp. 4059
Author(s):  
Nobuaki Kubo ◽  
Kaito Kobayashi ◽  
Rei Furukawa
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Continuous Time ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Line Of Sight ◽  
Static Tests ◽  
Gnss Receivers ◽  
Multipath Detection ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite ◽  
Multipath Errors

The reduction of multipath errors is a significant challenge in the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), especially when receiving non-line-of-sight (NLOS) signals. However, selecting line-of-sight (LOS) satellites correctly is still a difficult task in dense urban areas, even with the latest GNSS receivers. This study demonstrates a new method of utilization of C/N0 of the GNSS to detect NLOS signals. The elevation-dependent threshold of the C/N0 setting may be effective in mitigating multipath errors. However, the C/N0 fluctuation affected by NLOS signals is quite large. If the C/N0 is over the threshold, the satellite is used for positioning even if it is still affected by the NLOS signal, which causes the positioning error to jump easily. To overcome this issue, we focused on the value of continuous time-series C/N0 for a certain period. If the C/N0 of the satellite was less than the determined threshold, the satellite was not used for positioning for a certain period, even if the C/N0 recovered over the threshold. Three static tests were conducted at challenging locations near high-rise buildings in Tokyo. The results proved that our method could substantially mitigate multipath errors in differential GNSS by appropriately removing the NLOS signals. Therefore, the performance of real-time kinematic GNSS was significantly improved.

scholarly journals Variability and Performance of Short to Long-Range Single Baseline RTK GNSS Positioning in Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 94 ◽  
pp. 01012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irwan Gumilar ◽  
Brian Bramanto ◽  
Fuad F. Rahman ◽  
I Made D. A. Hermawan
Keyword(s):  
Long Range ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Carrier Phase ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
High Accuracy ◽  
Gnss Positioning ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Gnss Network ◽  
Single Baseline ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite

As the modernized Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) method, Real Time Kinematic (RTK) ensures high accuracy of position (within several centimeters). This method uses Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio to transmit the correction data, however, due to gain and power issues, Networked Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol (RTCM) is used to transmit the correction data for a longer baseline. This Research aims to investigate the performance of short to long-range single baseline RTK GNSS (Up to 80 KM) by applying modified LAMBDA method to resolve the ambiguity in carrier phase. The RTK solution then compared with the differential GNSS network solution. The results indicate that the differences are within RTK accuracy up to 80 km are several centimeter for horizontal solution and three times higher for vertical solution.

Lower Bounds on DOP

2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
pp. 1041-1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter F. Swaszek ◽  
Richard J. Hartnett ◽  
Kelly C. Seals
Keyword(s):  
Lower Bounds ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite System ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Navigation Satellite ◽  
Satellite Constellations ◽  
Dilution Of Precision ◽  
Gnss Positioning ◽  
Satellite Selection ◽  
Global Navigation ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite

Code phase Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning performance is often described by the Geometric or Position Dilution of Precision (GDOP or PDOP), functions of the number of satellites employed in the solution and their geometry. This paper develops lower bounds to both metrics solely as functions of the number of satellites, effectively removing the added complexity caused by their locations in the sky, to allow users to assess how well their receivers are performing with respect to the best possible performance. Such bounds will be useful as receivers sub-select from the plethora of satellites available with multiple GNSS constellations. The bounds are initially developed for one constellation assuming that the satellites are at or above the horizon. Satellite constellations that essentially achieve the bounds are discussed, again with value toward the problem of satellite selection. The bounds are then extended to a non-zero mask angle and to multiple constellations.

Urban Fleet Monitoring with GPS and GLONASS

1998 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 382-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Tsakiri ◽  
M. Stewart ◽  
T. Forward ◽  
D. Sandison ◽  
J. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Global Positioning System ◽  
Public Transport ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Dead Reckoning ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Basic Function ◽  
Positioning System ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite

The increasing volume of traffic in urban areas has resulted in steady growth of the mean driving time on fixed routes. Longer driving times lead to significantly higher transportation costs, particularly for vehicle fleets, where efficiency in the distribution of their transport tasks is important in staying competitive in the market. For bus fleets, the optimal control and command of the vehicles is, as well as the economic requirements, a basic function of their general mission. The Global Positioning System (GPS) allows reliable and accurate positioning of public transport vehicles except within the physical limitations imposed by built-up city ‘urban canyons’. With a view to the next generation of satellite positioning systems for public transport fleet management, this paper highlights the limitations imposed on current GPS systems operating in the urban canyon. The capabilities of a future positioning system operating in this type of environment are discussed. It is suggested that such a system could comprise receivers capable of integrating the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Russian equivalent, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), and relatively cheap dead-reckoning sensors.

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