looking for lane-level accuracy, rather than centimeter-level. Further, because vehicles aren’t limited to a distinct geographic area, RTK-based correction services are not as effective as globally available PPP services.
As we saw in episode five on sensor fusion, a combined GNSS and INS solution is incredibly useful in a kinematic or dynamic solution like a moving vehicle. Sensor fusion with IMUs, LiDAR, photogrammetry and more helps build positioning redundancy if the GNSS signals are disrupted while the car moves through downtown areas. Positioning and the GNSS signals must be resilient to multipath, blocked signals, and more.
The automotive industry requires GNSS positioning that balances accuracy and availability with system redundancy and solution integrity. The defense industry, however, prioritizes signal resiliency.
The defense industry needs a positioning solution that will continue delivering an accurate position even while in a contested environment. Episode six explained some the specific technologies developed for contested GNSS environments. Resiliency of GNSS signals against interference is a major priority for the defense industry, as well as global availability of signals, and having built-in redundancy should GNSS signals be lost.
One requirement of positioning in Defense that we don’t see in agriculture and automotive is the need for situation awareness. As we saw in episode six, situation awareness provides an understanding of undesired and malicious signals that may interfere with desired position. It helps the user determine the best method to preserve GNSS signals and maintain their positioning solution.
Delivering Precise Positioning and Autonomy
While each industry has its own unique needs and requirements of their positioning solution, the technology and concepts we’ve covered in the past seven episodes outline how GNSS meets those needs.
Hardware like receivers, antennas, and inertial navigation systems build upon each other with advanced algorithms for a holistic positioning solution. A solution’s reliability and accuracy are strengthened through correction services. Positioning engines deliver real-time GNSS calculations, while post-processing software can further refine the solution for use cases like surveying or mapping where the final position can be computed after-the-fact.
These technologies, and the concepts underlying them, work together to deliver positioning and autonomy – assured.
This concludes our on-demand webinar series introducing you to GNSS. You can continue learning about intermediate and more advanced GNSS concepts through our blog, on-demand webinars and technical papers.
This webinar series was just one way to learn GNSS foundations. If you want to review what you’ve learned, you’re welcome to download our free e-book, An Introduction to GNSS.