Real Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System Research Articles

Proposal of UAV-SLAM-Based 3D Point Cloud Map Generation Method for Orchards Measurements

This paper proposes a method for generating highly accurate point cloud maps of orchards using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with light detection and ranging (LiDAR). The point cloud captured by the UAV-LiDAR was converted to a geographic coordinate system using a global navigation satellite system / inertial measurement unit (GNSS/IMU). The converted point cloud is then aligned with the simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) technique. As a result, a 3D model of an orchard is generated in a low-cost and easy-to-use manner for pesticide application with precision. The method of direct point cloud alignment with real-time kinematic-global navigation satellite system (RTK-GNSS) had a root mean square error (RMSE) of 42 cm between the predicted and true crop height values, primarily due to the effects of GNSS multipath and vibration of automated vehicles. Contrastingly, our method demonstrated better results, with RMSE of 5.43 cm and 2.14 cm in the vertical and horizontal axes, respectively. The proposed method for predicting crop location successfully achieved the required accuracy of less than 1 m with errors not exceeding 30 cm in the geographic coordinate system.

Low-Cost Real-Time Localisation for Agricultural Robots in Unstructured Farm Environments

Agricultural robots have demonstrated significant potential in enhancing farm operational efficiency and reducing manual labour. However, unstructured and complex farm environments present challenges to the precise localisation and navigation of robots in real time. Furthermore, the high costs of navigation systems in agricultural robots hinder their widespread adoption in cost-sensitive agricultural sectors. This study compared two localisation methods that use the Error State Kalman Filter (ESKF) to integrate data from wheel odometry, a low-cost inertial measurement unit (IMU), a low-cost real-time kinematic global navigation satellite system (RTK-GNSS) and the LiDAR-Inertial Odometry via Smoothing and Mapping (LIO-SAM) algorithm using a low-cost IMU and RoboSense 16-channel LiDAR sensor. These two methods were tested on unstructured farm environments for the first time in this study. Experiment results show that the ESKF sensor fusion method without a LiDAR sensor could save 36% of the cost compared to the method that used the LIO-SAM algorithm while maintaining high accuracy for farming applications.

An efficient method for modeling and evaluating the bench terrain of open-pit mines

In order to quantitatively analyze the roughness of the bench floor during open-pit mine blasting, this study proposes a real-time measuring method for the three-dimensional terrain of the bench floor during the excavation process. Real-time monitoring is conducted at the boundary and discrete internal points of the workbench floor during electric shovel operation, utilizing real-time kinematic global navigation satellite system (RTK-GNSS) positioning technology. An improved convex hull algorithm is introduced to automatically extract the optimal boundary of discrete point clouds based on their spatial distribution characteristics. This study establishes a digital elevation model (DEM) using five interpolation algorithms for 3D terrain visualization simulation. Through cross-validation, a comparative analysis of the DEM accuracy, the simulation results of the ordinary kriging interpolation algorithm were found to be optimized. The optimized interpolation algorithm is applied to simulate the 3D terrain in the Dexing open-pit copper mine, and the relevant terrain parameters were calculated. This dataset can serve as a precise foundation for the real-time path planning of elevation blasting design and ground leveling operations.

Modified RTK-GNSS for Challenging Environments.

Real-Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System (RTK-GNSS) is currently the premier technique for achieving centimeter-level accuracy quickly and easily. However, the robustness of RTK-GNSS diminishes in challenging environments due to severe multipath effects and a limited number of available GNSS signals. This is a pressing issue, especially for GNSS users in the navigation industry. This paper proposes and evaluates several methodologies designed to overcome these issues by enhancing the availability and reliability of RTK-GNSS solutions in urban environments. Our novel approach involves the integration of conventional methods with a new technique that leverages surplus satellites-those not initially used for positioning-to more reliably detect incorrect fix solutions. We conducted three tests in densely built-up areas within the Tokyo region. The results demonstrate that our approach not only surpasses the fix rate of the latest commercial receivers and a popular open-source RTK-GNSS program but also improves positional reliability to levels comparable to or exceeding those of the aforementioned commercial technology.

GNSS and LiDAR Integrated Navigation Method in Orchards with Intermittent GNSS Dropout

Considering the vulnerability of satellite positioning signals to obstruction and interference in orchard environments, this paper investigates a navigation and positioning method based on real-time kinematic global navigation satellite system (RTK-GNSS), inertial navigation system (INS), and light detection and ranging (LiDAR). This method aims to enhance the research and application of autonomous operational equipment in orchards. Firstly, we design and integrate robot vehicles; secondly, we unify the positioning information of GNSS/INS and laser odometer through coordinate system transformation; next, we propose a dynamic switching strategy, whereby the system switches to LiDAR positioning when the GNSS signal is unavailable; and finally, we combine the kinematic model of the robot vehicles with PID and propose a path-tracking control system. The results of the orchard navigation experiment indicate that the maximum lateral deviation of the robotic vehicle during the path-tracking process was 0.35 m, with an average lateral error of 0.1 m. The positioning experiment under satellite signal obstruction shows that compared to the GNSS/INS integrated with adaptive Kalman filtering, the navigation system proposed in this article reduced the average positioning error by 1.6 m.

Dynamic rail wear measurement: integration of RTK GNSS, IMU, and laser

Currently, laser sensors are widely utilized in railway systems for monitoring rail wear. However, the lack or insufficiency of rail waist data poses a challenge to accurately match profiles and calculate wear. In this paper, we propose a novel approach for dynamic rail wear monitoring that comprises three major modules: a filtering methodology to smooth rail profile data, fine compensation to calibrate the angle distortion, and fast profile alignment. Initially, the AF technique and Kalman filter are applied to reconstruct the profile. This is followed by integrating real-time kinematic global navigation satellite system, inertial measurement unit, and laser to precisely correct the rail profile dynamic distortion. Additionally, genetic algorithms-least squares method is used for rapid determination of the R20mm center of the profile. Rigorous testing and trials have demonstrated that our proposed approach achieves precision as low as 0.03 mm with significant potential in dynamic rail wear monitoring.

Assessment of the GNSS-RTK for Application in Precision Forest Operations

A smart thinning operation refers to an advanced method of selecting and cutting trees to be thinned based on digitally captured forest information. In smart thinning operations, workers use the coordinates of individual trees to navigate to the target trees for thinning. However, it is difficult to accurately locate individual trees in a forest stand covered with a canopy, necessitating a precise real-time positioning system that can be used in the forest. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the applicability of the global navigation satellite system real-time kinematic (GNSS-RTK) device in a forest stand through analysis of its positioning accuracy within the forest environment and evaluation of the operational range of the single-baseline RTK based on analysis of the positioning precision and radio signal strength index (RSSI) change with increasing distance from the base station. The results showed that the root mean square error (RMSE) of the horizontal positioning error was highly accurate, with an average of 0.26 m in Larix kaempferi stands and 0.48 m in Pinus koraiensis stands. The RSSI decreased to a minimum of −103.3 dBm within 1 km of distance from the base station; however, this had no significant impact on the horizontal positioning precision. The conclusion is that the GNSS-RTK is suitable for use in smart thinning operations.

Low-Tech and Low-Cost System for High-Resolution Underwater RTK Photogrammetry in Coastal Shallow Waters

Monitoring coastal seabed in very shallow waters (0–5 m) is a challenging methodological issue, even though such data is of major importance to many scientific and technical communities. Over the years, Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry has emerged as a flexible and inexpensive method able to provide both a 3D model and high-resolution imagery of the seabed (~cm level). In this study, we propose a low-cost (about USD 1500), adaptable, lightweight and easily dismantled system called POSEIDON (for Platform Operating in Shallow-water Environment for Imaging and 3D reconstructiON). This prototype combines a floating support (typically a bodyboard), two imagery sensors (here, GoPro® cameras) and an accurate positioning system using Real Time Kinematic GNSS. Validation of this method was deployed in a macrotidal zone, comparing on the foreshore the point cloud provided by POSEIDON “SfM bathymetry” and by classical terrestrial SfM survey. Mean deviation was 5.2 cm and standard deviation was 4.6 cm. Such high-resolution SfM bathymetric surveys have a great potential for a wide range of applications: micro-bathymetry, hydrodynamics (bottom roughness), benthic habitats, ecological inventories, archaeology, etc.

Design and Experiment of a Breakpoint Continuous Spraying System for Automatic-Guidance Boom Sprayers

Repeated and missed spraying are common problems during the working of boom sprayers, especially in the breakpoint continuous process. Therefore, the present study investigated a breakpoint continuous spraying system for automatic-guidance boom sprayers based on a hysteresis compensation algorithm for spraying. An operational breakpoint identification algorithm, which combines a real-time kinematic global navigation satellite system (RTK-GNSS) and wheel odometer, was proposed; a pre-adjusted proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control algorithm for the opening degree of the proportional control valve was designed in thus study. Tests were conducted to establish equations correlating the opening degree of the proportional control valve, pump output flow rate, and main pipeline flow rate, with an R2 ≥ 0.9525. The time to adjust to the target flow rate was experimentally tested. The breakpoint identification accuracy of the RTK-GNSS and RTK-GNSS + wheel odometer was experimentally assessed. A field spraying deposition variation experiment was conducted. According to the results, the system effectively eliminated missed spraying, with a maximum repeated spraying distance of ≤3.3 m, and it achieved a flow control error within 3%. This system also reduced the repeated spraying area and enhanced the pesticide spraying quality of breakpoint continuous spraying for automatic-guidance boom sprayers.

Comparison of MyRTKnet Performance with Various Real-Time Corrections Based on Different Time

Virtual Reference Station (VRS), Master-Auxiliary Corrections (MAX), Individualised Master-Auxiliary Corrections (IMAX), Nearest Base, and Network D-GNSS are among the Network Real-Time Kinematic (NRTK) techniques supported by the Malaysia Real-Time Kinematic GNSS Network (MyRTKnet) in providing network-based solutions to users. However, different network corrections have different limits due to different characters, thus offering a variety of position accuracy. Therefore, this study evaluated the accuracy of real-time corrections, VRS, MAX, IMAX, D-GNSS, and Nearest Base, for the coordinates at two different times, morning and evening. The study was conducted at two different times to make it easier for users to choose a suitable and quality time to conduct observations. This research was implemented on the pillars at the calibration site of Politeknik Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (POLISAS) in Kuantan, Pahang. The coordinates in the pillar become a benchmark to differentiate with real-time correction coordinates. The result of that difference can be used to analyse the level of accuracy for real-time corrections. The study’s findings show that the real-time correction accuracy of the VRS type is the most stable and has the highest accuracy. Nearest Base and MAX corrections also give relatively good accuracy and can be improved by increasing observation time and depending on the area. IMAX produces inconsistent results with relatively low accuracy, but some techniques can be applied to obtain good accuracy. D-GNSS type corrections give inconsistent results and low position accuracy as it utilises code measurement only. The research concludes that the best correction is VRS. The Nearest Base and MAX produce acceptable accuracy and can be safely chosen over IMAX and D-GNSS.

Best Integer Equivariant Estimation With Quality Control in GNSS RTK for Canyon Environments

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) has been widely used for navigation and positioning in many areas, from professional applications to the mass market. However, in the real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning, the ambiguities usually cannot be fixed in natural and urban canyon environments due to the high occlusion, strong reflection, and frequent maneuvering. In this paper, the best integer equivariant (BIE) estimation with quality control is proposed. Specifically, the quality control issues based on the observation and state domains are added to the BIE estimator. First, an improved multipath processing approach is used to mitigate the effects of multipath and diffraction, and a modified detection, identification, and adaptation procedure is adopted for processing the outliers and non-line-of-sight reception. For state-domain quality control, a two-step selection and segment estimation are used to refine the ambiguity candidates. Finally, the BIE estimator is obtained. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, two experiments, including natural and urban canyon environments, are conducted. Compared with the float, fixed, and traditional BIE solutions, the BIE solution with quality control has the best positioning performance, including precision and reliability. Moreover, the problem of ambiguity resolution is also alleviated to a great extent. Specifically, in real-time monitoring, the real-time single-epoch positioning accuracy in east, north, and up directions are approximately 0.023, 0.014, and 0.044 m, respectively. For the low-cost urban vehicle data, the proposed method performs best regarding availability, precision, and reliability.

Modal frequencies evaluation of a damaged bridge using RCVMD algorithm based on sensor dynamic responses

This paper aims to employ high-rate global navigation satellite system real-time kinematic (GNSS-RTK) and triaxial accelerometer sensors to evaluate the modal frequencies of a damaged long-span bridge based on the proposed modified variational mode decomposition algorithm. Firstly, in the modified VMD, the relative root mean square error was presented to optimize the decomposition parameter K, the correlation criterion was introduced to select the suitable intrinsic mode function components. The above procedure is called the RCVMD algorithm. Subsequently, the performance comparison evaluation experiments proved that the RCVMD algorithm was more advantageous in the decomposition and reconstruction of signals, had a better noise reduction effect in the signal with different noise levels, and was suitable to process the actual measurement response. Finally, in the field experiment, the modal frequencies of the damaged bridge were correctly detected from the GNSS-RTK displacement and acceleration responses according to the RCVMD algorithm, and the accelerometer picked up the high-order structural frequencies, demonstrating the reliability of the proposed method. The frequency characteristics of the damaged bridge are different from the normal state. The first and third-order frequencies increase, which is especially obvious in the first-order frequency, yet the second-order frequency decreases. The measured results have practical applications and can provide data support for the maintenance of the damaged bridge.

Image Mapping Accuracy Evaluation Using UAV with Standalone, Differential (RTK), and PPP GNSS Positioning Techniques in an Abandoned Mine Site.

Global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) provide a common positioning method that utilizes satellite signals to determine the spatial location of a receiver. However, there are several error factors in standalone GNSS positioning due to instrumental, procedural, and environmental factors that arise during the signal transmission process, and the final positioning error can be up to several meters or greater in length. Thus, real-time kinematic (RTK) correction and post-mission precise point positioning (PPP) processing technologies are proposed to improve accuracy and accomplish precise position measurements. To evaluate the geolocation accuracy of mosaicked UAV images of an abandoned mine site, we compared each orthomosaic image and digital elevation model obtained using standalone GNSS positioning, differential (RTK) GNSS positioning, and post-mission PPP processing techniques. In the three types of error evaluation measure (i.e., relative camera location error, ground control points-based absolute image mapping error, and volumetric difference of mine tailings), we found that the RTK GNSS positioning method obtained the best performance in terms of the relative camera location error and the absolute image mapping error evaluations, and the PPP post-processing correction effectively reduced the error (69.5% of the average total relative camera location error and 59.3% of the average total absolute image mapping error) relative to the standalone GNSS positioning method. Although differential (RTK) GNSS positioning is widely used in positioning applications that require very high accuracy, post-mission PPP processing can also be used in various fields in which it is either not feasible to operate expensive equipment to receive RTK GNSS signals or network RTK services are unavailable.

Low-cost multi-GNSS, single-frequency RTK averaging for marine applications: accurate stationary positioning and vertical tide measurements

The use of Real Time Kinematic (RTK) Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) for accurate horizontal and vertical measurements in the marine environment has been considered since the late-1980’s and tested from the 1990’s when GPS and GLONASS were the only operational constellations available and high-cost multi-frequency receiver equipment was required. This paper modernizes the conversation using multi-constellation, low-cost, single-frequency RTK GNSS measurements and proves their value with accurate positioning and tide measurements. Our tests show average stationary horizontal positioning measurements using this equipment are suitable (95% CI) for the most stringent International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Standard S-44 ‘Exclusive Order’ at base station ranges of up to 27 km. Vertical observations on a moving platform, smoothed using a baseline distance-dependent moving average filter show the equipment and method are comparable with traditional electronic tide gauge observations over the same base station range. All of our measurement results show the potential to improve total uncertainty calculations undertaken by hydrographers, engineers and scientists in the marine realm, while the low-cost equipment raises the possibility that more measurements can be taken, leading to improvements in monitoring, modelling and understanding the marine environment.

Development and experimental evaluation of visual-acoustic navigation for safe maneuvering of unmanned surface vehicles in harbor and waterway areas

Ship maneuvering in narrow harbor environments requires accurate navigation data to operate safely. Since Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) can be unreliable and inaccurate in such environments, other aiding techniques should be used for increased redundancy and reliability. To this end, we present a GNSS-free sensor suite consisting of visual, acoustic, and inertial sensors that can be used to navigate small vehicles in a harbor environment. The proposed method is aided by two navigation systems: a doppler velocity log (DVL) for low-drift velocity aiding and a visual fiducial system to estimate the drift-free position and attitude of a camera onboard the vehicle with respect to easily identifiable tags at the dockside. The visual and acoustic measurements are fused with inertial data using an error-state Kalman filter for robust state estimation. To benchmark the performance, we employ an unmanned surface vehicle equipped with a dual-antenna real-time kinematic GNSS receiver for accurate positioning and heading. The benefits of supplementing landmark-based navigation with acoustic measurements are demonstrated by conducting adverse scenarios that include noisy measurements and sensor dropouts in the harbor environment. As a result, the proposed visual-acoustic system can supplement satellite-based navigation systems for safety-critical harbor maneuvering.

Fast Deployment of a UWB-Based IPS for Emergency Response Operations.

A wide range of applications from multiple sectors already use ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to locate and track assets precisely. This is not the case, however, for first responder localization during emergency response (ER) operations, which are highly conditioned by procedural and environmental constraints. After analyzing these limitations and reviewing the current state-of-the-art solutions, this work presents a UWB-based indoor positioning system (IPS) that relies on the global navigation satellite system real-time kinematic (GNSS-RTK) technology to quickly, accurately, and safely deploy its required infrastructure on site. A set of tests conducted on a two-story building prove the suitability of such a system, providing an average accuracy of less than 1 meter for static targets and the ability to faithfully reproduce the path followed by a mobile target inside the building. The obtained results strengthen the presented approach and pave the way for more sophisticated UWB-based IPSs that would include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and/or mobile robots to speed up network deployment even more while offering additional ER services.

High-precision plant height measurement by drone with RTK-GNSS and single camera for real-time processing

Conventional crop height measurements performed using aerial drone images require 3D reconstruction results of several aerial images obtained through structure from motion. Therefore, they require extensive computation time and their measurement accuracy is not high; if the 3D reconstruction result fails, several aerial photos must be captured again. To overcome these challenges, this study proposes a high-precision measurement method that uses a drone equipped with a monocular camera and real-time kinematic global navigation satellite system (RTK-GNSS) for real-time processing. This method performs high-precision stereo matching based on long-baseline lengths (approximately 1 m) during the flight by linking the RTK-GNSS and aerial image capture points. As the baseline length of a typical stereo camera is fixed, once the camera is calibrated on the ground, it does not need to be calibrated again during the flight. However, the proposed system requires quick calibration in flight because the baseline length is not fixed. A new calibration method that is based on zero-mean normalized cross-correlation and two stages least square method, is proposed to further improve the accuracy and stereo matching speed. The proposed method was compared with two conventional methods in natural world environments. It was observed that error rates reduced by 62.2% and 69.4%, for flight altitudes between 10 and 20 m respectively. Moreover, a depth resolution of 1.6 mm and reduction of 44.4% and 63.0% in the error rates were achieved at an altitude of 4.1 m, and the execution time was 88 ms for images with a size of 5472 × 3468 pixels, which is sufficiently fast for real-time measurement.

Real-time unmanned aerial vehicle surveying using spatial criteria: a simulated study

Precise coordinate estimation is a fundamental engineering challenge in many mapping applications. Conventional surveying techniques based on global navigation satellite system (GNSS), light detection and ranging (LiDAR), or total stations involve costly equipment and time-consuming methodologies and may suffer from restrictions, such as occlusions and low satellite availability. In this study, a surveying approach, based on a custom-equipped unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and ArUco markers distributed in an unknown area as the potential target mapping points, is proposed and evaluated through simulation. The UAV incorporates a real-time kinematic GNSS receiver and a gimbal unit, with a simple camera and an electronic rangefinder module. The system demonstrates a real-time hierarchy targeting system that allows the UAV to engage with the ground targets through the camera, measure corresponding distances, record UAV coordinates, and then perform a multilateration-based target coordinate estimation. To evaluate the flexibility, efficiency, and onboard performance of the proposed target positioning approach, the method was developed as a robotic operating system software package and tested in the Gazebo robotic simulator on an NVIDIA Jetson TX2. Several mapping environments, along with varying flight type scenarios, were created to evaluate the resulting coordinate estimation errors. The achieved positioning accuracy is very promising and demonstrates a possible use for circular flying trajectories. Along these lines, the proposed methodology may pave the way toward a precise surveying alternative, as it may establish the main surveying method for common mapping applications in the near future and even provide coordinate estimations in demanding and, until now, unattainable areas.

Linear regression models with autoregressive integrated moving average errors for measurements from real time kinematics-global navigation satellite system during dynamic test

<span lang="EN-US">The autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) method has been used to model global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) measurement errors. Most ARIMA error models describe time series data of static GNSS receivers. Its application for modeling of GNSS under dynamic tests is not evident. In this paper, we aim to describe real time kinematic-GNSS (RTK-GNSS) errors during dynamic tests using linear regression with ARIMA errors to establish a proof of concept via simulation that measurement errors along a trajectory logged by the RTK-GNSS can be “filtered”, which will result in improved positioning accuracy. Three sets of trajectory data of an RTK-GNSS logged in a multipath location were collected. Preliminary analysis on the data reveals the inability of the RTK-GNSS to achieve fixed integer solution most of the time, along with the presence of correlated noise in the error residuals. The best linear regression models with ARIMA errors for each data set were identified using the Akaike information criterion (AIC). The models were implemented via simulations to predict improved coordinate points. Evaluation on model residuals using autocorrelation, partial correlation, scatter plot, quantile-quantile (QQ) plot and histogram indicated that the models fitted the data well. Mean absolute errors were improved by up to 57.35% using the developed models.</span>

3-D Displacement Detection Based on Enhanced Clustering From GNSS Positioning in a Kinematic Mode for Deformation Monitoring

For decades, displacement detection based on global navigation satellite system (GNSS) has increasingly been an important part of deformation monitoring for applications, such as dams, bridges, and high-rise buildings. Automatic identification and extraction of 3-D displacements from GNSS kinematic positioning can provide a basis for emergency response decision-making and play a crucial role in natural and secondary disasters. However, due to the limitation of single epoch positioning accuracy, automatic detection of displacement from GNSS kinematic positioning results is still a challenge. To resolve this, we propose an enhanced <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$ </tex-math></inline-formula> -means clustering method to detect displacements from GNSS kinematic positioning, which identifies the displacement by clustering and obtains displacements from adjacent clusters. Results from simulation and field experiments have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method. The accuracy of 3-D displacement extraction from GNSS real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning can reach millimeter level.