Ultra-wideband Anchors Research Articles

A unanimous trajectory calibration framework based on anchors in inertial pedestrian positioning

PurposeAiding information is frequently adopted to calibrate the errors from inertia-generated trajectories in pedestrian positioning. However, existing calibration methods lack interior connections and unanimity, making it difficult to incorporate multiple sources of aiding information. This paper aims to propose a unanimous anchor-based trajectory calibration framework, which is expandable to encompass different types of anchor information.Design/methodology/approachThe concept of anchors is introduced to represent different types of aiding information, which are, in essence, different constraint conditions on inertia-derived raw trajectories. The foundation of the framework is a particle filter which is implemented based on various particle weight updating strategies using diverse types of anchor information. Herein, three representative anchors are chosen to elaborate and validate the proposed framework, namely, ultra-wide-band (UWB) ranging anchors, iBeacons and the building structure-based virtual anchors.FindingsIn the simulations, with the particle reweighting strategies of the proposed framework, the positioning errors can be compensated. In the experimental test in an office building in which three anchors, including one UWB anchor, one iBeacon and one building structure-based virtual anchor are deployed; the final positioning error is decreased from 1.9 to 1.2 m; and the heading error is reduced from about 21° to 7°, respectively.Originality/valueHerein, an anchor-based unanimous trajectory calibration framework for inertial pedestrian positioning is proposed. This framework is applicable to the schemes with different configurations of the anchors and can be expanded to adopt as much anchor information as possible.

A UWB positioning network enabling unmanned aircraft systems auto land

Although Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have become popular, the auto land of a fixed wing UAS has still remained as a significant challenge. This paper presents a UAS auto landing system based on a Ultra Wide Band (UWB) positioning network. The geometry of the UWB anchors in the network is optimized to provide precise positioning accuracy during the course of UAS landing. The notable performance characteristics of the system is that the positioning of the UAS becomes more accurate as it approaches to the runway more closely. At the point of a landing flare, the landing system is expected to provide vertical positioning accuracy better than 20 cm in 95 percent of time. The paper discusses the methodology of designing the proposed UWB positioning network architecture and the positioning performance analysis through simulations.

Planning of UWB indoor positioning network using binary integer linear programming

The ultra wide band (UWB) is a promising indoor positioning sensor. Its precise range measurement and wall penetration capability are well suited for indoor navigation. UWB anchor locations must also be carefully determined to achieve the optimal performance of a UWB positioning. However, previous approaches on the UWB anchor placement resulted in poor positioning accuracy around corners of an indoor environment and ignored UWB wall penetration effects. To overcome those shortcomings, this paper introduces an advanced method of an UWB anchor network design that provides high positioning accuracy in all user space and minimises uncertainty due to UWB signal wall penetrations with a binary integer linear programming. It is expected that the presented method would provide a reliable positioning performance that is needed for the navigation of autonomous systems.

Planning of UWB indoor positioning network using binary integer linear programming

The ultra wide band (UWB) is a promising indoor positioning sensor. Its precise range measurement and wall penetration capability are well suited for indoor navigation. UWB anchor locations must also be carefully determined to achieve the optimal performance of a UWB positioning. However, previous approaches on the UWB anchor placement resulted in poor positioning accuracy around corners of an indoor environment and ignored UWB wall penetration effects. To overcome those shortcomings, this paper introduces an advanced method of an UWB anchor network design that provides high positioning accuracy in all user space and minimises uncertainty due to UWB signal wall penetrations with a binary integer linear programming. It is expected that the presented method would provide a reliable positioning performance that is needed for the navigation of autonomous systems.