Inertial Labs’ latest article, “Aided Inertial Navigation Systems: Enhancing Precision and Reliability,” explores Aided Inertial Navigation Systems (AINS) and their impact on navigation. Read more > >
Aided inertial navigation systems are a beacon of precision, reliability, and integration. By combining the strengths of inertial measurement units (IMUs) with external sources of information, these systems provide an advanced method for determining the position, orientation, and velocity of objects in motion.
At the core of an aided inertial navigation system is the strategic amalgamation of inertial sensors with supplemental data from GNSS to significantly enhance navigational accuracy. Inertial sensors, including accelerometers and gyroscopes, serve as the primary instruments measuring linear acceleration and angular velocity, respectively. Despite their contributions to navigation, these sensors are inherently prone to accumulating errors over time, a phenomenon known as “drift.” This drift is mitigated in an aided system by integrating external signals from sources such as GNSS, magnetometers, barometers, and visual or LiDAR sensors, which correct and refine the data obtained from the inertial sensors.
The hybrid nature of these systems allows for an unparalleled level of accuracy and stability, surpassing what inertial navigation systems could achieve independently. By fusing data from various sources, aided inertial navigation systems can maintain high navigational accuracy even when GNSS signals are weakened or absent, such as in urban canyons or dense foliage environments.
The full article covers:
- The functionality of aided systems
- Advanced techniques in aided navigation
- Integration of external data sources
To find out more about aided inertial navigation systems, read the full article on Inertial Labs’ website.
