GNSS-Based Attitude Determination Techniques—A Comprehensive Literature Survey

Abstract

GNSS-based Attitude Determination (AD) of a mobile object using the readings of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) is an active area of research. Numerous attitude determination methods have been developed lately by making use of various sensors. However, the last two decades have witnessed an accelerated growth in research related to GNSS-based navigational equipment as a reliable and competitive device for determining the attitude of any outdoor moving object using data demodulated from GNSS signals. Because of constantly increasing number of GNSS-based AD methods, algorithms, and techniques, introduced in scientific papers worldwide, the problem of choosing an appropriate approach, that is optimal for the given application, operational environment, and limited financial funding becomes quite a challenging task. The work presents an extensive literature survey of the methods mentioned above which are classified in many different categories. The main aim of this survey is to help researchers and developers in the field of GNSS applications to understand pros and cons of the current state of the art methods and their computational efficiency, the scope of use and accuracy of the angular determination.

Computer model of high-precision navigation of a small satellite constellation for remote Earth sensing tasks

“…3) solution of the integer ambiguity of phase measurements of pseudo-range by methods based on the use of second phase differences, calculated using the first phase differences [12,13]; 4) provision of mutual navigation measurements by means of onboard equipment for inter-satellite measurements and inter-satellite communication lines [14,15].…”

Dual-antenna GPS-based UAV Attitude Determination Method and Accuracy Analysis

“…GPS attitude measurement technique, as a significant branch of Global Navigation Satellite System in the application research, has the strengths of being inexpensive, tiny in size, great accuracy, convenient installation, no need for initial calibration, and no time accumulation error [4][5][6]. It is set up on the technique of carrier phase difference.…”

Constrained Wrapped Least Squares: A Tool for High-Accuracy GNSS Attitude Determination

“…Many attitude determination methods have been discussed in the literature [2]- [6]. Attitude determination via multiple GNSS antennas mounted on a moving vehicle is an important research field with a wide variety of applications [2], [5], [7]- [9]. Recent developments and interest in autonomous systems have drawn even more attention to this research area [10]- [13].…”