Control & Navigation Systems

Suppliers of Control and Navigation Systems for unmanned air, land and marine systems (UAV, UGV, USV, AUV)
Overview Control & Navigation Systems
By Technology Editor Last updated: October 20th, 2023

Control and Navigation Systems in Unmanned Vehicle Applications

Inertial Sense Rugged Miniature INS for control and navigation in UAVs

Inertial Sense Rugged Miniature INS for control and navigation in UAVs

Control and navigation systems for unmanned vehicles such as UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), USVs (unmanned surface vehicles) and UGVs (unmanned ground vehicles) allow the vehicle to be operated autonomously or semi-autonomously, often with the option to switch to full manual control with access to the payloads and sensors of the vehicle. These control and navigation systems may include UAV autopilots, or kits that transform a manned vehicle into an autonomously operating system, for example turning small seagoing vessels into autonomous USVs.

Systron Donner Inertial Tactical Grade IMU for UAV control and navigation

Systron Donner Inertial Tactical Grade IMU for UAV control and navigation

A navigation system for an unmanned or autonomous vehicle will often incorporate a GPS or other GNSS satellite-based navigation aid. GNSS provides a high degree of positioning accuracy in high-signal environments, but requires line of sight of at least four satellites. In order to increase reliability in areas of poor GNSS coverage, the system can be coupled with an Inertial Navigation System (INS), which uses data from MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical) sensors such as gyroscopes, accelerometers and magnetometers to calculate a relative position. Together, the GNSS and INS provide a reliable source of navigation information that can be used by a UAV autopilot or other control system. This data provides inputs to the control loop of the unmanned vehicle, allowing for accurate autonomous operation.Drone Control Systems

The control system of a drone or other autonomous vehicle may be programmed to allow it to maintain position, return to a designated location or follow a planned mission with a series of preset waypoints. It may correct for environmental factors that have an effect on the position of a vehicle, such as tidal activity for USVs and underwater robots, or wind for UAVs.

Botlink XRD2 4g Drone control system

Botlink XRD2 4G LTE drone control for BVLOS operations

Unmanned Navigation Systems – Avoidance and Detection

Navigation systems may also incorporate collision avoidance and detection using LiDAR, ultrasound or machine vision. Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), a GPS-reliant system that allows unmanned aircraft to broadcast their position, velocity, and identification information, may also be used to enhance situational awareness and avoid collisions in crowded airspace.

Products (2)

Autonomous Navigation System

Next-generation marine navigation technology for smarter and safer vessels

Next-generation marine navigation technology for smarter and safer vessels
...art Autonomous Navigation System combines advanced processing with an array of sensor options to... ...The Autonomous Navigation System can be tailored to specific autonomy requirements from...
Botlink XRD2

4G LTE drone control for BVLOS operations

4G LTE drone control for BVLOS operations
... a command and control (C2) solution for UAS (unmanned aerial systems) that enables BVLOS operations...

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Platinum Partners
GuideNav

Tactical-Grade & High-Performance Inertial Sensors: MEMS IMUs, FOG IMUs, Gyroscopes, Accelerometers, INS

Holybro

Innovative Drone Autopilots, Navigation Systems, and Other Hardware Peripherals & Accessories for UAVs

uAvionix Corporation

Certified UAV Communications, Navigation, Control, Surveillance, and Combat ID Solutions

VectorNav Technologies

High-Performance Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) for Unmanned Systems

Exail

Inertial Navigation & Positioning Technology for Unmanned, Autonomous Systems

Advanced Navigation

Software-Defined Inertial Navigation Systems (MEMS & FOG), and Acoustic Positioning Solutions

MicroStrain by HBK

Inertial Sensors, MEMS IMU, AHRS Systems, Vertical Reference Units & GNSS-INS for Unmanned Systems

SBG Systems

Inertial Navigation Systems, INS/GPS, AHRS, and IMU Sensors for Unmanned Systems

NovAtel

Precise Positioning for Unmanned Vehicles: GPS & GNSS Receivers, Antennas & Inertial Systems

Gold Partners
Maritime Robotics

Cutting-Edge Autonomous Navigation Systems & USV Technologies

SatLab Geosolutions

GNSS Positioning Solutions: RTK GNSS Receivers, UAV Base Stations for Surveying

Embention

UAV Autopilot Flight Controllers, Ground Stations, ESC Controllers & Tracking Antennas

Meteksan Defense

UAV Components: SAR, Radar Altimeter, Data Links, Telemetry, GNSS Products & C-UAS | Tactical USVs

ZIYAN Tech

Electric Unmanned Helicopters & Supporting Unmanned Aircraft Equipment

EMCORE Corporation

High Performance FOG, RLG, and Quartz MEMS Inertial Sensors - Gyros, IRU, IMU, INS

Gladiator Technologies

MEMS Inertial Sensors: IMUs, GPS-Aided INS, Gyroscopes, Accelerometers, AHRS

Sonardyne International

Tracking, Navigation, Positioning and Communication Sensors for AUV, ROV, USV

Silver Partners
UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía

Guidance, Navigation & Control Solutions (GNC) for Drones & UAVs

Robosys Automation

Maritime Autonomy Solutions for Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) & Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS)

Packet Digital

Custom Lithium-ion Smart Batteries for UAS, Power Management Systems, Fleet Management Software, Solar MPPT Integration

Ainstein

Radar Sensors for UAVs and Drones: Accessible, Scalable and Reliable

Wavefront Systems

Underwater Sonar: Side-Scan Imaging Sonar & Forward Looking Sonar for Obstacle Avoidance & Navigation

United Electronic Industries (UEI)

Embedded Controllers, Avionics Testing, HIL Simulation & Data Acquisition Systems for UAV/UAS Applications

CubePilot

The Cube Autopilot, GNSS Module, HD Video Transmission System and Accessories for UAVs

FarSounder

3D Forward Looking Sonar (FLS) for USV Navigation

CHC Navigation

GNSS Positioning & Navigation Systems, Mobile Mapping UAV LiDAR & Unmanned Surface Vehicles

Silicon Sensing

MEMS Inertial Sensor Solutions, IMUs, Gyroscopes and MEMS Accelerometers for Unmanned Vehicles

Dynautics Ltd

Marine Autopilots, Unmanned Surface Vehicle Communications, Power Management Modules & Marine Simulators & Software

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