Fusing Low-Cost Image and Inertial Sensors for Passive Navigation

MAJOR M. VETH, J. RAQUET
2007 Navigation  
Aircraft navigation information (position, velocity, and attitude) can be determined using optical measurements from imaging sensors combined with an inertial navigation system. This can be accomplished by tracking the locations of optical features in multiple images and using the resulting geometry to estimate and remove inertial errors. A critical factor governing the performance of image-aided inertial navigation systems is the robustness of the feature tracking algorithm. Previous research
more » ... as shown the strength of rigorously coupling the image and inertial sensors at the measurement level using a tactical-grade inertial sensor. While the tactical-grade inertial sensor is a reasonable choice for larger platforms, the greater physical size and cost of the sensor limits its use in smaller, low-cost platforms. In this paper, an image-aided inertial navigation algorithm is implemented using a multi-dimensional stochastic feature tracker. In contrast to previous research, the algorithms are specifically evaluated for operation using lowcost, CMOS imagers and MEMS inertial sensors. The performance of the resulting image-aided inertial navigation system is evaluated using Monte Carlo simulation and ex-perimental data and compared to the performance using more expensive inertial sensors. Report Documentation Page Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. 14. ABSTRACT 15. SUBJECT TERMS 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT 18. NUMBER OF PAGES 11 19a. NAME OF RESPONSIBLE PERSON a. REPORT unclassified b. ABSTRACT unclassified c. THIS PAGE unclassified Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18
doi:10.1002/j.2161-4296.2007.tb00391.x fatcat:5qcvskm5nzevfj6jk5zb4fdwgq